BMW India records best-ever first quarter

BMW Group India which sells BMW and Mini passenger vehicles in India said that it recorded the highest sales ever for the first quarter of a calendar year with 4,567 units sold between January and March, 2026. This was a recorded 17 per cent growth over the same period last year.

Thanks to the success of the long-wheelbase iX1 BMW India, BMW India claimed a 70 per cent market share in the luxury market with over 1,185 units sold. BMW Motorrad, the company’s two-wheeler division recorded sales of 1,216 in the first quarter.

Speaking with the media, Hardeep Brar, President, BMW India, said that he expected growth to continue, “We expect to have strong double-digit growth in 2026. However, the current global volatility could definitely impact us, although for the time being we have enough kits and supplies for the next couple of months as they have long lead times. That said, the luxury buyer is the first to be impacted by volatility and might hold off from purchases although it is also the first to bounce back. News of the ceasefire should be welcomed.”

To enable growth in 2026, BMW will be embarking on their most ambitious product launch strategy in the coming months with 27 launches, four of which have already occurred in the first quarter and eight more planned for the second quarter, including the much expected F450 GS motorcycle and the long-wheelbase i5 electric sedan. “Of the 27 launches, six will be all-new vehicles and four will have major changes”, Brar highlighted.

Speaking of BMW India’s lead on electric vehicles, Brar also pointed out that the current situation could lead to even more buyers choosing electrics.

“The fact is that elections are ongoing and the government has not allowed petrol or diesel prices to increase, but they are bound to go up and that will only increase the ‘delta’ of running cost between internal combustion and electric vehicles.” In fact to aid in the electric transition, BMW India has also installed over a 100 of their own chargers at all their retail points, including 12 chargers on the ‘Kashmir to Kanyakumari’ route with speeds of between 120-720 kilowatt hours.

Speaking to The Pioneer, Brar added that BMW Financial Services, BMW India’s own Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) subsidiary has been playing a major role in financing vehicles for the company. “Having our in-house NBFC allows us to come up with innovative financing schemes and also control the residual value of our vehicles by offering buyback packages and comprehensive maintenance”, he added.