BMW Adds New Models, More Capacity in india

BMW AG hopes to regain its position as India's top-selling luxury brand with at least six new models and a 31% hike in local production capacity this year.

The company currently assembles 1, 3, 5 and 7 Series cars, X1 and X3 crossover vehicles and the Mini Countryman supermini in India at its factory in Chennai. The plant has annual capacity to make 13,000 vehicles but is expanding output to 17,000 units. The facility will begin producing a diesel variant of the American-made X5 large SUV in June.

The company introduced the M6 large coupe and 3 Series GT car in India earlier this year. Philipp von Sahr, president of BMW Group India, says the brand will begin importing the i8 hybrid supercar and an undisclosed new model in the M performance series by the end of 2014.

BMW aims to expand its dealership network in India to 50 outlets this year from 38 currently.