BMW launches new X5 SUV, to roll out more models this year

German car maker BMW launched the new generation X5 SUV in the domestic market Thursday and said its focus is on growing the luxury car segment in India, which currently stands at around 40,000 units.

Buoyed by a healthy 13 per cent growth in sales at 11,105 units as against 9,800 units in 2017, the group plans to roll out some 11 models in the current year, of which it has already launched three so far, including the X5 SUV.

"The high-end luxury car market in India is about 40,000 vehicles. From 2018 onward, we are focused on growing the size of this market in India. We strongly believe that the growth of the segment is more important than getting volumes," said Hans-Christian Baertels, acting president, BMW Group India.

Stating that BMW was into "volume game," Baertels said, "We need the market to make it attractive for the customers to invest in the luxury car as such."
Asked whether the company was looking at higher sales number this year, particularly after record sales in the March quarter, Baertels said "I don't know. The political environment in India is tricky, and it is very hard to perceive."