Electrification, Long Wheelbase Products And Network Expansion Drive BMW India's Growth

Luxury carmaker BMW India is off to a strong start in 2026, having sold over 4,600 units in the first quarter. BMW India expects no near-term supply disruptions due to advance planning, though prolonged global uncertainty could impact business operations later. Hardeep Singh Brar, President and CEO of BMW India speaks to NDTV AutoMate about the factors driving this growth and the brand's upcoming product offensive. 

NDTV AutoMate: It's been a strong start to the year. Take us through the key highlights for BMW Group India in Q1.

Hardeep Singh Brar: Quarter one has been absolutely phenomenal for us, especially considering what's happening globally. From January to March, we grew by 17 per cent, which is a very strong performance in this environment.

We've done well across segments. MINI has grown by 36 per cent, and within the BMW portfolio, electric vehicles have performed exceptionally well. Last year, EVs accounted for 21 per cent of our overall portfolio. This year, we've already reached 26 per cent penetration, which is very encouraging.

NDTV AutoMate: What's driving this strong EV growth?

Hardeep Singh Brar: There are multiple factors. Fuel prices continue to rise, which is pushing more customers towards electric mobility. Additionally, improved supply availability has played a big role. As a result, we've seen 83 per cent growth in EVs in Q1.

Another important pillar has been our long-wheelbase strategy, which we introduced several years ago. Customers really value the added rear-seat space. And finally, our network expansion last year has helped us get closer to customers. Today, we are present in 40 cities with 97 touchpoints, including strong growth in tier-2 and tier-3 markets.

NDTV AutoMate: You also have a busy product calendar this year. We've already seen launches from MINI and BMW Motorrad. What more can we expect in the coming months?

Hardeep Singh Brar: At the start of the year, we announced 27 product launches for 2026. Of these, six are all-new products, four are major updates, and 17 are special editions or minor changes.

We've already launched four products in Q1, which have contributed positively to both brand and volume growth. In Q2, we plan to introduce six more products, and the remaining launches will follow in the second half of the year. Overall, we're confident of a very strong year.

NDTV AutoMate: Given global developments and supply-chain concerns, do you foresee any impact on deliveries or availability in the coming months?

Hardeep Singh Brar: Interestingly, our longer lead times actually work in our favour. We usually place orders six months in advance, so we already have inventory planned for the current quarter. At the moment, we don't expect any immediate disruptions. However, if the situation continues for an extended period, it could impact the overall business.

NDTV AutoMate: Lastly, the luxury car segment saw strong momentum last year, and BMW was very close to the top. What are your expectations for this year?

Hardeep Singh Brar: Last year, we delivered 14 per cent growth, which was strong. In Q1 this year, we're already at 17 per cent growth, and our aim is to maintain strong double-digit growth for the full year as well.