BMW lines up 24 new products in 2022

New Delhi: German luxury automotive group BMW is expecting a mega year in India in 2022 having clocked 25 per cent rise in four-wheeler sales and 41 per cent jump in two-wheelers in the first quarter despite challenges of semiconductor shortage, war in Ukraine and shutdowns due to Covid-19 in China, according to a senior company official.

The BMW group has also lined up 24 products to be introduced in India this year, 19 in the four-wheeler segment, including the all-electric sedan i4 in May, and five motorcycles through its BMW Motorrad division. In the January-March period, the BMW group had posted one of its best quarters in India with a 25.3 per cent jump in four-wheeler sales at 2,815 units. The BMW range of sedans and SUVs clocked sales of 2,636 units, while the MINI luxury compact car sold 179 units.

The group's two-wheeler sales grew by 41.1 per cent at 1,518 units during the period. "The supply is currently little restricted. We could have sold much, much more because we are holding roughly around 2,500 orders for four-wheelers and over 1,500 orders for motorcycles. Literally, you can say it could have been doubled," BMW Group India President Vikram Pawah told PTI.

When asked about the prospects for the full year on the back of the Q1 performance, he said, "It is a dynamic situation this year with all the logistical challenges and the supply conditions across the world that will determine how we do. We have got a very good order pipeline.

If we are able to fulfil that, of course we are looking at a mega year." He further said, "(Despite the challenges) we have seen growth in the first quarter of 25 per cent in four-wheelers and 41 per cent in two-wheelers. I expect that kind of growth in any case."