o! Just Me

It was always a matter of luxury and status symbol to own a BMW Car in India. Now, BMW have decided to enter the Indian car market and start off with about 5 models - the 3-Series, 5-Series, 7-Series, X5 and the X3 Series. BMW is planning to hit the Indian Market within the first quarter of 2007.

The series thus covers the premium car market starting with the entry level BMW 3-Series, like the 320i which will cost the Indians about Rs. 27 Lakh (roughly US$60,000). Of course, the more premium 7-Series will cost about a crore Indian Rupee (roughly US$222,222). However, some of the 7-Series models (730ld, 740li, 750li and 760li) will be sold through the direct import route. They will also be part of the first introduction in India. The Assembly Route and the direct import route should reduce the tax and hassles to the Indian car buyers.

The other brands like M-Series and the Mini might come in next year. The Mini badge would be introduced through the CBU route and will be priced around Rs. 20 lakh (roughly US$44,444).

Indians will buy it even if the roads are perhaps the most unplanned, abundant with dug up holes. It won’t be surprising if we see a BMW alongside some bullock-carts. On a lighter vein, have a look at the Toyota Cow-Rolla seen on one of the Indian Road. Most of Mumbai streets are difficult for bigger cars to take proper turns and of course, most of parking lots in older buildings of Pune are built for Maruti 800; they don’t have enough space even for a mid-size car. Bangalore’s traffic snarl will be a big fun to watch cars lined up most of the times.