BMW India gross sales have been sturdy in 2023. Firm sustained its distinctive efficiency by attaining the highest-ever annual gross sales (January – December) throughout all three manufacturers: BMW, MINI, and BMW Motorrad. In 2023, BMW bought a mixed whole of 14,172 vehicles throughout the BMW and MINI manufacturers. Moreover, the corporate achieved gross sales of 8,768 bikes underneath the BMW Motorrad division. The BMW iX and Mini 3 door Cooper SE emerged because the top-selling electrical automobiles (EVs) for the model in 2023. The corporate reported a three-fold surge in EV gross sales, totaling 1,474 models in CY 2023. BMW final 12 months sale is grew 18 p.c in comparison with final 12 months.
Ankit Sharma from Devices 360 obtained an opportunity to sit down down with Mr. Vikram Pawah, President at BMW Group India, to achieve insights into this improvement 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’re fairly assured within the acceptance and demand for the brand new merchandise we launched in 2023. The availability of those merchandise was restricted final 12 months. As we assess the constant provide of those merchandise all year long, we anticipate witnessing development momentum. Other than this, we are going to launch a complete of 19 merchandise in 2024.
These embody 13 new vehicles and 6 two-wheelers. There will even be a rise in demand because of the arrival of those new merchandise available in the market. Nonetheless, we want that the constructive sentiment of demand within the business ought to stay the identical. At present, shopper confidence is excessive and is anticipated to stay sturdy all year long. Contemplating these components, 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 business. What have been the corporate’s EV gross sales up to now, and what are the corporate’s targets and plans for the EV section?
Vikram Pawah: BMW has been engaged on electrical vehicles for the final 10 years. Firm 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 p.c. We have now bought a complete of 1,474 electrical vehicles in 2023, which is 325 p.c greater 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 p.c by 2025. Moreover, we plan to introduce two new electrical vehicles in 2024.
Ankit Sharma: A 12 months in the past, electrical automobiles usually had a variety of 300 to 400 kilometers, however this has now risen to a mean of 600 kilometers, a benchmark additionally met by BMW. Some Chinese language firm, is presently pushing the boundaries with a formidable 1,000 km vary. What technological developments is BMW pursuing to realize an identical prolonged vary for its automobiles?
Vikram Pawah: The vary of all our EV automobiles is available in a really regional vary, which is between 300 to 600 km. I might convey to the shopper that the vary is greater than only a quantity. The important thing query is knowing the shopper’s utilization.We work to supply service to our clients as per their utilization. In case your every day commute is simply 40 to 50 kms, extra vary turns into much less impactful.
Let me give the instance of our Mini buyer who does not even drive his automotive nearly every day. Sometimes, 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 international locations 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 discuss battery know-how in electrical mobility, we’re already on the fifth era and dealing on the sixth era. We’re already working at a sophisticated degree.
Ankit Sharma: Do you suppose clients are nonetheless avoiding shopping for EVs due to vary or charging infrastructure? What recommendation would you give to EV consumers?
Vikram Pawah: Electrical mobility does not have only one dimension. Other than this, effectivity can also be a think about how rapidly the battery may be charged. Together with charging pace, effectivity of the battery, lifetime of the battery plenty of issues are necessary together with a variety. This can be a complete package deal that we try to supply to our clients. We guarantee our clients that the battery will preserve a 100% efficiency degree for seven years.
So far as charging is anxious, we provide our customers a free complimentary AC charging station that may be put in of their parking area. In such a state of affairs, our clients are usually not reliant on any exterior charging stations. For inter-city or long-distance journey, now we have 56 quick charging stations unfold throughout 33 cities, offering handy charging choices. We provide details about charging stations by our web site and app, enabling our clients to plan their routes successfully.
Via our web site and app, we offer details about charging stations to our clients, in order that they will plan their route accordingly. Nonetheless, I want to advise potential EV consumers to align their buy with their utilization patterns, just like choosing an engine’s energy primarily based on wants. Definitely, if charging stations are put in in any respect petrol and diesel stations in India, it is going to undoubtedly enhance the gross sales of EV vehicles in India.
Ankit Sharma: BMW India is going through elevated competitors from luxurious carmakers like Mercedes-Benz and Audi. There are additionally studies that Tesla could enter India quickly. How does BMW plan to keep up 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 in addition stimulates elevated demand. With a 16-year presence within the Indian market, we wholeheartedly welcome Tesla in India. India is a vital marketplace for us and we’re dedicated to repeatedly offering one of the best know-how vehicles and providers for the individuals.