BMW sales jump 14% in Jan-July, top in high-end segment

BMW India, the wholly-owned subsidiary of BMW Group, sold 2,008 units in the first seven months of the year over 1,763 units in the same period last year.

"After seven months, we are number one. Our target is to stay number one in 2009 and we are very much on track," BMW India President Peter Kronschnabl told PTI.

The company, which sold 2,908 units last year, is confident of crossing the 3,000 mark this year, he added.

According to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers, BMW India registered growth of 12.76 per cent at 1,016 units in April-July, while its rival Mercedes-Benz saw its sales going down 21.02 per cent at 853 units this fiscal over the same period in 2008-09.

To expand its product portfolio, BMW India has planned to launch a two-seater roadster -- Z4 -- in the country on the eve of Deepawali in October, expected to be priced at Rs 50-60 lakh.

"It's a niche model, so we are not expecting any big numbers. We hope to sell 40 cars every year," Kronschnabl said.

Kronschnabl also said the company is currently carrying out the homologation (process of approval) for a petrol version of its 7-series sedan, which would be introduced next month.

Besides, the company, which currently has 14 dealers, will be adding eight more in Tier II cities by the end of 2010.

"Our dealership expansion programme is completely on track and we have finalised our partners in cities such as Cochin and Jaipur. Many of the outlets are under construction," Kronschnabl said.