New 5-series, X1 in India soon

BMW has announced that it will launch its latest 5-series and X1 in India by the second half of 2010. Shipped as completely knocked down units (CKD), the new BMW 5-series (code named as F10) will go on sale starting July this year followed by the X1 launch in December.

Launched in the European markets in 2009, BMW is expecting these models to drive global revenue growth and the company hopes the new models will do well in India as well.

The new 5-series and X1 will be assembled at the BMW’s Chennai plant for which the company will increase its production capacity. The German car manufacturer is expecting sell around 4000 units in 2010 for which the company is looking to increase its output from 3000 units to the expected volumes.

BMW is likely to bring in the 535i and the new 520d that will spice up the competition in premium luxury car segment. While the X1, which is slated to be the smallest SUV from the BMW stable, will be the cheapest BMW to go on sale in India, with a starting price tag of Rs 25lakh.

In addition, the company has said that it will start its used car business, ‘BMW Premium Selection’ in the country by April this year. Its first pre-owned car showroom will be inaugurated in Chennai on April 1, followed by a second showroom in Gurgaon in the second half of 2010. The company is expecting at least 30 percent of its sales to come from its pre-owned business.

BMW India’s expansion plans also involve an increase in their dealership network from the current 17 to 24 dealerships by the end of 2010.