BWI: BMW India Ranks as the Number One in the Luxury Car Segment in India

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: BMW India
Monday, January 04, 2010 02:34 PM IST (09:04 AM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest, Sports; Business: Advertising, PR & marketing, Automotives, Business services, Media & entertainment, Retailers, Sports; Automotive
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BMW India Ranks as the Number One in the Luxury Car Segment in India
BMW India Achieves Leadership Position by Increasing its Market Share in the Luxury Segment of the Indian Automotive Market to over 40%

New Delhi, Delhi, India, Monday, January 04, 2010 -- (Business Wire India) -- BMW India is the number one in the luxury car segment in India and portrays a symbol for dynamic and forward striving people.

BMW India increased its market share in the luxury segment of the Indian automotive market to over 40% in 2009 (from 9% at the end of 2006). With 3619 cars delivered to customers in the calendar year 2009, BMW India has achieved the "highest sales by a manufacturer in the luxury car segment in a year" till date.

In 2009 BMW India sold

-- BMW 3 Series - 1155 units
-- BMW 5 Series - 1590 units
-- BMW 6 Series - 28 units
-- BMW 7 Series - 350 units
-- BMW X3 - 101 units
-- BMW X5 - 287 units
-- BMW X6 - 83 units
-- BMW Z4 - 25 units

2007, 2008 and 2009 were demanding years for BMW India and, at the same time, the most successful market entry for BMW in any country recently. Various activities initiated during this period have provided BMW India with a solid basis to develop a strong foundation.

Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Peter Kronschnabl, President, BMW India said, "We made great strides in implementing our strategy, and this gave us a significant competitive edge that provided us with a clearly formulated vision. Our goals were clear, and we had to be consistent to realize them. Our business activities are, and will remain, focused on the long term. The main trends that are relevant to our business - such as the demand for mobility and the desire for differentiation - will remain unchanged."

2009 was not been an easy year for the automotive industry - and that applies equally to BMW India. It stood its ground in a fiercely competitive environment with new ideas and the strength to promote new products. BMW India was prepared to meet the challenges head on to ensure the company's success. These qualities enabled BMW India to effectively weather the stormy conditions, continue to invest in its future, anticipate trends and be prepared for the future. Despite all challenges, BMW India delivered strong operating performance in 2009. With a carefully planned and successfully executed market entry strategy, and consistent sales performance, BMW India achieved market leadership in the luxury car segment in India.

Mr. Kronschnabl further added, "Now more than ever, we see that the number one position in the market is not everything. But, the future belongs to India and if you want to benefit from the dynamics of the Indian market later, you need to act today. This is what we did. Our commitment to India was among the strategic decisions that had to be taken right away."

BMW Group took a bold step in its Asia strategy in 2007 by establishing the BMW India Headquarters in Gurgaon (National Capital Region), a Central Parts Warehouse in Mumbai, and the BMW Plant Chennai in Tamil Nadu. Presently, the BMW Plant Chennai produces the BMW 3 Series and BMW 5 Series Sedans in petrol and diesel variants and has a capacity to produce 3000 units per year on a single shift basis. In medium term, BMW India has employed around 200 people; up to 600 additional jobs have been created in the dealer and service network. Presently, BMW India is present at 16 locations in the Indian market.

BMW dealerships presently display the BMW 3 Series and BMW 5 Series that are produced at the BMW Plant Chennai. BMW dealerships also display the BMW 6 Series, BMW 7 Series, BMW X3, the BMW, the BMW X6, BMW Z4, and the BMW Gran Turismo which are available in the country as CBU's (completely built-up units). The BMW M3 Coupé, BMW M3 Convertible, BMW M5, BMW M6 Coupé, BMW M6 Convertible, BMW X6 M, BMW 6 Series Individual and BMW 7 Series Individual can also be ordered at BMW India dealerships.


CONTACT DETAILS
Abhay Dange, General Manager, Press and Corporate Affairs, BMW India, +91 9910481013/ + 91 (124) 4566600, Abhay.Dange@bmw.in
Poonam Thakur, Vox Public Relations, +91 9818130538/ + 91 11 4061 3001, PoonamT@voxpr.co.in

KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, SPORTS, MARKETING, AUTOMOTIVE, BUSINESS SERVICES, MEDIA, RETAIL, AUTOMOTIVE

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