BMW India gross sales have been sturdy in 2023. Company sustained its distinctive efficiency by reaching the highest-ever annual gross sales (January – December) throughout all three manufacturers: BMW, MINI, and BMW Motorrad. In 2023, BMW bought a mixed complete of 14,172 vehicles throughout the BMW and MINI manufacturers. Additionally, the corporate achieved gross sales of 8,768 bikes beneath the BMW Motorrad division. The BMW iX and Mini 3 door Cooper SE emerged because the top-selling electrical autos (EVs) for the model in 2023. The firm reported a three-fold surge in EV gross sales, totaling 1,474 models in CY 2023. BMW final yr sale is grew 18 % in comparison with final yr.
Ankit Sharma from Gadgets 360 bought an opportunity to sit down down with Mr. Vikram Pawah, President at BMW Group India, to realize insights into this growth and firm’s future plan. Some responses have been edited and condensed for readability.
Ankit Sharma: BMW 2023 gross sales numbers are exceptional. What methods do you intend to implement to surpass these numbers in 2024?
Vikram Pawah: We are fairly assured within the acceptance and demand for the brand new merchandise we launched in 2023. The provide of those merchandise was restricted final yr. As we assess the constant provide of those merchandise all year long, we anticipate witnessing progress momentum. Apart from this, we’ll launch a complete of 19 merchandise in 2024.
These embody 13 new vehicles and 6 two-wheelers. There can even be a rise in demand as a result of arrival of those new merchandise available in the market. However, we wish that the optimistic sentiment of demand within the trade ought to stay the identical. Currently, shopper confidence is excessive and is anticipated to stay robust all year long. Considering these elements, we anticipate outperforming our 2023 efficiency in 2024.
Ankit Sharma: India is quickly shifting in the direction of inexperienced vitality with full authorities help for the trade. What have been the corporate’s EV gross sales to date, and what are the corporate’s targets and plans for the EV phase?
Vikram Pawah: BMW has been engaged on electrical vehicles for the final 10 years. Company first electrical automotive, the BMW i3, was launched in 2013. This exhibits how early we have been dedicated to electrical vehicles. BMW India bought a complete of 14,172 vehicles in 2023, of which the share of electrical vehicles is nearly 10 %. We have bought a complete of 1,474 electrical vehicles in 2023, which is 325 % extra than in 2022.
The BMW iX emerged as our top-selling luxurious electrical car in 2023. Our aim is to raise the share of electrical vehicles in our total gross sales to 25 % by 2025. Additionally, we plan to introduce two new electrical vehicles in 2024.
Ankit Sharma: A yr in the past, electrical autos usually had a variety of 300 to 400 kilometers, however this has now risen to a median of 600 kilometers, a benchmark additionally met by BMW. Some Chinese firm, is at present pushing the boundaries with a powerful 1,000 km vary. What technological developments is BMW pursuing to realize an analogous prolonged vary for its autos?
Vikram Pawah: The vary of all our EV autos is available in a really regional vary, which is between 300 to 600 km. I’d convey to the client that the vary is extra than only a quantity. The key query is knowing the client’s utilization.We work to supply service to our clients as per their utilization. If your every day commute is simply 40 to 50 kms, further vary turns into much less impactful.
Let me give the instance of our Mini buyer who would not even drive his automotive virtually every day. Typically, these clients embark on weekend journeys, making a variety of 280 to 300 kilometers ample for his or her wants.
1000 Km vary is well-suited for Europe or others nations the place every day commute common between 90 to 100 kms. In India, most individuals’s every day commute is round 40 to 50 kilometers. Our BMW clients additionally journey 40 to 50 kms every day. If we speak about battery know-how in electrical mobility, we’re already on the fifth era and dealing on the sixth era. We are already working at a complicated degree.
Ankit Sharma: Do you assume clients are nonetheless avoiding shopping for EVs due to vary or charging infrastructure? What recommendation would you give to EV consumers?
Vikram Pawah: Electric mobility would not have only one dimension. Apart from this, effectivity can also be a consider how rapidly the battery will be charged. Along with charging pace, effectivity of the battery, lifetime of the battery loads of issues are vital together with a variety. This is a complete bundle that we attempt to supply to our clients. We guarantee our clients that the battery will preserve a 100% efficiency degree for seven years.
As far as charging is worried, we provide our customers a free complimentary AC charging station that may be put in of their parking house. In such a scenario, our clients aren’t reliant on any exterior charging stations. For inter-city or long-distance journey, we now have 56 quick charging stations unfold throughout 33 cities, offering handy charging choices. We supply details about charging stations by means of our web site and app, enabling our clients to plan their routes successfully.
Through our web site and app, we offer details about charging stations to our clients, in order that they will plan their route accordingly. However, I wish to advise potential EV consumers to align their buy with their utilization patterns, just like choosing an engine’s energy primarily based on wants. Certainly, if charging stations are put in in any respect petrol and diesel stations in India, it’s going to undoubtedly enhance the gross sales of EV vehicles in India.
Ankit Sharma: BMW India is dealing with elevated competitors from luxurious carmakers like Mercedes-Benz and Audi. There are additionally experiences that Tesla might enter India quickly. How does BMW plan to take care of its market share?
Vikram Pawah: Tesla has a worldwide presence, and equally, we additionally function on a worldwide scale. The entry of extra gamers into the market is helpful, because it not solely enhances competitors but additionally stimulates elevated demand. With a 16-year presence within the Indian market, we wholeheartedly welcome Tesla in India. India is an important marketplace for us and we’re dedicated to repeatedly offering the perfect know-how vehicles and providers for the individuals.
