MINI Re-thinking Plans to Launch in India
Automotive News sat down with the head of BMW India recently and talked about the future of MINI on the sub-continent:
>BMW’s India chief Peter Kronschnabl said the company will reconsider launching Mini in India by the end of this year, having already delayed it from 2007.
>The luxury hatchback market was not developed in India, and the investment to launch a new brand would be substantial, Kronschnablhe said.
>”So we have to re-look at the potential business opportunity before launching it,” he said.
>The Mini would be imported and would carry a price tag of around 2 million rupees ($41,000), Kronschnabl told reporters at the local launch of the BMW X6.
+ BMW to re-think planned India launch of Mini / Automotive News
<p>Having lived and worked in India for some time, I think this will be a tough challenge. No doubt about the credibilty of the brand in India – there are plenty of young rich people in Mumbai, New Dehli & Bangalore etc to whom the MINI would appeal massively…
But they all have drivers, and they are all used to getting into the back of the car (through a back door) and being driven everywhere.
And with the greatest will in the world, I think most people will agree that the MINI doesn’t quite fit that bill…
However, the 5 door Suzuki Swift has been a HUGE hit there, so maybe some potential for the Crossman/Countryman/SAV (which by the way, I can’t wait for!)
Good luck to MINI India!</p>