BMW 3-Series in India for Rs 26.7 lakh

German luxury car maker BMW has launched its first locally-assembled 3-Series car in the Indian market. This is now the cheapest model on offer from the company and it retails for Rs 26.7 lakh (ex-showroom) across the country. The company is also due to start assembling its 5-Series cars in India.

The newly launched BMW 3-Series would compete with existing models in the Indian market including Mercedes C-Class, Skoda Superb and the Audi A3. It could also take away some customers from Honda Accord and Toyota Camry.

The company has set itself a modest goal of selling around 1,200 units in the country in the next calendar year. This 3-Series model is expected to constitute bulk of these sales.

BMW India had sold 257 units of completely built cars in 2006. For reaching this sales goal they aim to expand its dealer network to every metro city in the next two years. BMW India already has eight dealers in the country.

Peter Kronschnabl, president, BMW India spoke about their future plans for the Indian market: “We are currently doing a market feasibility study to introduce the Mini range of cars. We would introduce Mini brand in India by 2009.”