Pune: BMW, India’s second biggest luxury car maker by sales, on Thursday set another record with best ever half-yearly sales and clocking a double digit growth in Asia’s third largest car market.
Its sales jumped 13 per cent at 5,171 cars in India during January to June period, up from the same period last year. BMW competes against its compatriot archrival and market leader Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Jaguar Land Rover and Volvo, which sell together sell about 40,000 cars annually in the country.
Significantly, new and innovative product segments triggered growth for the company. Its MINI brand continued to lead the small-premium car segment in India with 281 cars sold, clocking a remarkable growth of 30 per cent as compared to 2017.
Besides, BMW Motorrad sold 208 luxury motorcycles within the first half of the year. “Our strategy of focusing on introducing new and innovative product segments in the Indian luxury car market has started showing results,” Vikram Pawah, president at BMW Group India, said. The BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo and BMW X3 have already exceeded its expectations.
“Also, introduction of Euro 6 petrol engines in our product portfolio has played an important role in our strategy,” Pawah said, adding that the brand would continue to introduce innovative products to spur demand in the country.
During the period under review, sales growth was predominantly driven by the sports activity vehicle or SUV segment, which has grown over 26 per cent as compared to the same period in 2017, the company said. The all-new BMW X3 launched recently has led growth of the segment with over 60 per cent growth compared to January–June 2017.
The company sells a range of models in the country, including luxury sedans and SUVs.
