BMW Group India has reported its highest-ever first quarter sales (January-March 2019), with all three brands – BMW, Mini and BMW Motorrad – being on a strong growth track from the start of the year.
The carmaker delivered 2,982 cars (BMW and Mini) registering a year-on-year growth of 19 percent, compared to Q1 2018. BMW India sold 2,822 cars (up 19 percent) and Mini India sold 160 cars (up 18 percent).
These results come on the back on a strong performance in calendar year 2018, when BMW Group India sold 11,105 vehicles (including Mini), registering a 13 percent year-on-year growth.
BMW said the 5 Series and the 6 Series Gran Turismo and the locally produced SUV range, led by the all-new X4, contributed to the overall growth. The Mini hatch and the now locally produced Mini Countryman together commanded a share of over 80 percent in Mini sales.
Commenting on the Q1 numbers, Dr Hans-Christian Baertels, president (Act.), BMW Group India, said, “BMW Group India is on a growth path. Closing 2018 with highest sales ever, the momentum has been successfully carried forward into 2019 by registering the best Q1 sales till date. We are confident that the growth strategy for BMW, Mini and BMW Motorrad will yield even higher results in the coming months and we will continue to grow the luxury vehicle market in India.”
This year, the BMW Group plant in Chennai, which assembles 10 car models, is expected to start the local production of the X7.
Demand for luxury cars could be subdued for the next few months due to the weak overall car buying sentiment. Volvo India recently announced that it sold 2,687 units in the 2019 fiscal (April-March), registering a growth of 25 percent year-on-year, albeit on a lower base.
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