The Hindu Business Line : BMW India plans recast of models

New Delhi, Aug 5 BMW India may be looking at a model change. It is assembling the 3-series (320i, 325i and the 320d) and the 5-series (523i, 525i, 530i, and the 525d) and doesn’t exclude the possibility of new models in the factory or a model deleted, which could happen in the next 2-3 years, said Mr Peter Kronschnabl, President, BMW India. The model change can also reflect on CBU product portfolio comprising the 6-series, 7-series, X3 and X5 models.

Preview on the product portfolio is a continuous process of the company and is based on the customer demands in the local market, said Mr Kronschnabl. According to senior officials, the new look 7-series is most likely to be introduced in India by the 2008-end while the company may upgrade its existing 3-series model by introducing the 330i in the near future.

Other manufacturers like DaimlerChrysler have upgraded the C-class from C 180 to the current range of C 200 Kompressor model while the diesel model was upgraded from C 200 Cdi to the C 220 Cdi. Likewise, the E-class was upgraded gradually from E 240 toE 280 . Model upgrades are done by the company to meet the demographic needs of the customer. As aspiration values and disposable income increase, customers tend to demand more in terms of performance and features of the car. The increase in engine size with new features like rain sensors, driver and front passenger automatic recognition with weight classification is the outcome of such a programme, said experts.

The company is also gearing up to launch the ‘M’ version of the 3-series, 5-series and the 6-series famously known as the M3, M5, and the M6. The models will be launched next year.