BMW India has emerged as a frontrunner, recording its highest-ever quarterly sales and maintaining a strong momentum into the final stretch of the year. India’s luxury car segment has witnessed robust growth in recent months, defying global headwinds and domestic macroeconomic challenges. Based on the sales data for the first nine months of 2025, and according to industry estimates, luxury vehicle sales in India surged by over 20 per cent year-on-year in the third quarter of 2025, with premium brands like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi registering record-breaking numbers. This uptick is being driven by a growing aspirational middle class, expanding Tier-II and Tier-III market demand, and, notably, recent changes in GST structures that have made high-end models relatively more accessible. Also watch:
India’s fastest MINI is here
BMW India, in particular, has emerged as a frontrunner, recording its highest-ever quarterly sales and maintaining a strong momentum into the final stretch of the year. At the launch of the MINI Countryman JCW All4, the fastest MINI ever, ETAuto sat down with Hardeep S. Brar, President & CEO, BMW Group India, to discuss the brand’s performance, upcoming strategies, and what lies ahead for both BMW and MINI in the Indian market.
Edited excerpts:
BMW recorded a landmark performance in September, achieving its highest-ever sales figures. With the introduction of the new MINI Countryman JCW adding further momentum, how do you see the remainder of the year shaping up in terms of overall sales and market outlook?
The first nine months of the year have been excellent for BMW. We have sold close to 12,000 units, reflecting a 13 per cent growth. The last quarter alone was exceptional; we delivered about 4,200 units, marking a 21 per cent growth. While the current YTD (Year-to-Date) growth stands at 13 per cent, we are aiming to close the year with strong double-digit growth. GST rate cuts have certainly contributed to this momentum, and we expect the trend to continue.
With the launch of the new MINI Cooper, and in light of recent GST revisions, do you anticipate a notable impact on market demand, particularly in the performance-oriented segment? How do you expect these factors to influence consumer sentiment going forward?
There has definitely been a positive impact, especially for ICE (internal combustion engine) MINI models. The GST on ICE variants has been brought down, whereas for EVs it remains the same. This effectively reduces the price gap between ICE and EV models. We are launching the pricing for this MINI for the first time, so customers have not seen a “before and after” in pricing, but we have already received a strong number of bookings. We’re confident that once the price is announced, we’ll be sold out for the year. The volumes are limited, and the excitement is high.
Considering the limited volumes for this model, what was the rationale behind introducing the new MINI Cooper as a completely built unit (CBU) rather than opting for local assembly through CKD operations at your Chennai facility?
We first want to assess the market response to this car. MINI is a very unique product, there is really no direct competition in the Indian market. The MINI customer is distinct, someone who wants to stand out. It’s a very niche audience. And within that, there’s another layer of MINI customers who want both uniqueness and extreme power. That’s where the JCW Countryman All4 comes with 300 horsepower, 400 Nm of torque, 0–100 km/h in just 5.4 seconds. These are impressive numbers, and that’s exactly what this customer base is looking for. If we see consistent demand beyond certain volumes, we’ll consider local assembly. But for now, MINI will remain a CBU.
Looking at BMW’s performance over the past nine months, which specific segment or product line has contributed most significantly to the company’s profitability in the Indian market?
Naturally, the higher you go in terms of price point, the greater the profitability. So, models like the i7, 7 Series, X7, and X5 are our most profitable offerings. The core strength remains in the over ₹1 crore segment.
Looking ahead to 2026, what are your projections? Are there any specific new models or segments that BMW India is excited about?
We will be announcing new products as they arrive. For now, our focus remains on this MINI launch. As I mentioned earlier, we are aiming to close 2025 with strong double-digit growth, and we aim to replicate that performance next year as well.
