BMW to launch 15 products, increases localisation levels

German luxury car maker BMW would launch 15 new products in India and has increased the localisation levels to 50 percent, senior company officials on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters at BMW India's plant near here, BMW Group India president Philipp von Sahr said: "For us, production follows market."

He said the company was focussed on building strong foundation between 2007-2009 and the next two years, the focus was on achieving leadership.

"From 2013 onwards, the vision was on having a sustainable growth and long term profitability. The company has invested Rs.4.9 billion in India," he said.

According to him, BMW has the largest product portfolio in the luxury car segment which will further be strengthened.

The company would launch 15 new products.

On the localisation efforts by the car maker, BMW Plant managig director Robert Frittrang, said the local content in the cars rolled out of the Indian plant is now 50 percent.

Some of the major auto components sourced domestically by BMW India are: engine and transmission from Force Motors, axles from ZF Hero Chassis, door panels and wiring harness from Draexlmaier India; exhaust systems from Tenneco Automotive India; heating, ventilating, air-conditioning and cooling modules from Valeo India and Mahel Behr and seats from Lear India.

The company also plans to have solar panels installed on the factory roof to tap sun power.