In response to Mercedes’ plan to launch their A and B Class cars by 2013
Responding to the competition, BMW India are contemplating the introduction of their 1 Series cars in the country by 2013.
Andreas Schaaf, President, BMW India, said that the company was thinking of introducing the small family cars to meet the varied preferences of their customers. Besides 1 Series, BMW are also studying the feasibility of bringing Mini cars (earlier known as ‘Morris Mini’, manufactured by the British Motor Corporation, now owned by BMW AG) to India. Mini cars and 1 Series hatchbacks are likely to be pitted against VW’s Beetle in India. Volkswagen have managed to sell over 500 Beetle cars in India since the car’s launch in 2009. The car is priced at Rs 24 lakh.
BMW India also made it clear that there would be no price hike in respect of the locally produced models such as the 3 and 5 Series and the SUV X1. “We are fulfilling all the new regulations in respect of the CKD guidelines and we are paying 10 per cent duty,” said Schaaf. He also added that depending on the local demand, BMW might get more products from their global line-up.
