The Hindu Business Line : BMW announces `3-series' prices

The company will also introduce the X3 and X5 range of SUV models, the 6-series, 7-series and the M-range of models as part of their Completely Built Unit model portfolio

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Singapore Feb. 8 BMW India has announced the prices of the `3-series'. It will have three models, 320i, 325i and 325d (diesel) priced at Rs 26.95 lakh, Rs 32.5 lakh and Rs 29.7 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai) respectively. The company is currently evaluating the price of the 5-series though it would be in the region of Rs 40-43 lakh said Mr Peter Kornschabl, President, BMW India.

Besides introducing these models, the company will introduce the X3 and X5 range of SUV models, the 6-series, 7-series and the M-range of models as part of their CBU (completely built unit) model portfolio. The Indian subsidiary has set a sales target of 1,000 vehicles for 2007. It sold 257 vehicles last year, Mr Kornschabl told reporters here.

The models (3-series and 5-series) will be assembled at the company's upcoming plant in Chennai. The plant will be officially inaugurated on March 29, this year. The 3-series will be assembled from day one, followed by the 5-series from May 2007 onwards. The plant has the capacity to produce about 1,700 vehicles annually on a one-shift basis. At present, the company has a workforce of 200 employees while another 600 jobs will be created at the retails and service level.

For the models assembled in the country, the company has achieved localization of 10 per cent with door panels, lubricants, seats and seat covers being sourced internally. BMW Financial Services will offer loans for buying the BMW cars.

The company also plans to increase its chain of dealerships across the country. It has two dealers each in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore and now plans to reach Kochi, Ahmedabad, Pune and Hyderabad.

This initiative would be part of our phase-one dealer expansion that would be completed by 2008-end, said Mr Kornschabl. These dealerships will have in-house 4S (Sales, Services, Spare, Systems) facilities — an industry first.