BMW India to focus on domestic market

PUNE: Luxury car maker BMW India has no plans of exporting cars manufactured at its Chennai plant to neighbouring countries and was focused on the fast growing domestic market.
   
India has emerged as a booming market though the production of four-wheelers in the luxury segment was at an amateur stage, BMW India President Peter Kronschnabi told on the sidelines of inaugurating the company's first showroom, Bawaria Motors, here
   
"Our partnership with Bavaria Motors is reflective of BMW's endeavour to reach out to its customers and provide high quality services at par with international standards. This will help fuel BMW's growth plans in India," he said.
   
Presently, nine dealers represent BMW in the Indian market.
   
Headquartered in Gurgaon, BMW India is a 100 per cent subsidiary of the BMW Group set up with an initial investment of Rs 1.1 billion. The Chennai plant, started operation in March this year and produces the BMW 3 and BMV 5 series Sedans in petrol and diesel variants.
   
The plant has a capacity to produce 1,700 units a year.
   
BMW India has also partnered with Bajaj Allianz Insurance for offering motor insurance and with ICICI Bank to offer customised financial solutions for its customers.
  
The recently established International Purchasing Office of BMW India will focus on increasing the sourcing share from India and explore procurement of production components as well as IT and engineering services, Kronschnabi said.