BMW 3 series range expanded with BMW 320d Highline

New Delhi: The BMW 3 Series range - Model Year 2008 for India will roll out from BMW dealerships across India in February 2008. The BMW 3 Series will be available in two petrol variants - 320i and 325i - and now two diesel variants - 320d and 320d Highline, the latest in the BMW 3 Series range.

Voted as the "Best Premium Car" at CNBC-TV 18 Autocar Awards 2008 and the "Performance Car of the Year" by Business Standard Motoring, the BMW 3 Series is once again pushing up the benchmark in 2008. Acknowledged for 30 years as the best car in its class, the BMW 3 Series comes with a wide range of innovative, hands-on progress on the engine and suspension, and in terms of motoring comfort. Throughout these three decades, the 3 Series has been far more to the BMW than "just" a highly successful car: In technological terms the BMW 3 Series has remained an ongoing success thanks to its many innovations proving their qualities for the first time in large-scale series production.

Mr. Peter Kronschnabl, President BMW said, "With the BMW 3 Series Model Year 2008 we have the pleasure of providing increased horsepower, Xenon Lights as well as chrome door surrounds for a sportier look, and glass roofs on all models. By popular customer demand we are proud to introduce the BMW 320d Highline, diesel variant of the BMW 3 Series that comes with added features including iDrive functionality and a HiFi loudspeaker system. It is our goal to continue providing our customers in India with all-round quality and perfection to ensure the highest levels of comfort and luxury."

With more powerful and efficient engines, harmonious interior and exterior proportions, and a wide range of fascinating enhancements such as New Light alloy wheel rims, Glass roofs, Xenon Lights and stronger engines now available standard on all models, the BMW 3 Series possess the unique, dynamic and light appearance of an elegant sports sedan that has the magnetism to pull anyone into the driver's seat.

The ex-showroom prices of the BMW 3 Series in INR are as follows.

BMW 320i : 27,00,000

BMW 325i : 33,00,000

BMW 320d : 29,70,000

BMW 320d Highline: 30,70,000

These prices are applicable across all BMW dealerships in India.

The BMW 3 Series Model Year 2008 will be available in an exclusive range of paint finishes: Black Sapphire, Monaco Blue, Titanium Silver and Sparkling Graphite and Luxurious Upholstery Materials: Dakota Leather Black, Dakota Leather Grey and Dakota leather Beige.

BMW India

Headquartered in Gurgaon (National Capital Region) BMW India is a 100% subsidiary of the BMW Group. The initial investment in India is 1.1 billion Indian Rupees.

The wide range of BMW in India include the establishment of a production plant in Chennai (Tamil Nadu) and development of a dealer organisation across all metropolitan centres of the country.

In medium term, BMW India will employ around 200 people; up to 600 additional jobs will be created in the dealer and service network.

On 29 March 2007, BMW India officially opened its production plant in Chennai (Tamil Nadu) in the presence of Dr. Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management, BMW AG and Dr. Frank Peter Arndt, Member of the Board of Management, Production, BMW AG. The BMW Plant Chennai produces the BMW 3 Series and BMW 5 Series Sedans in petrol and diesel variants. The BMW Plant Chennai has a capacity to produce 3000 units per year on a single shift basis.

Presently, nine dealers represent BMW in the Indian market; Bird Automotive (Gurgaon, NCR), Deutschen Motoren (New Delhi); Navnit Motors (Mumbai), Infinity Cars (South Mumbai); Krishna Automobiles (Chandigarh); Navnit Motors (Bangalore), Delta Motors (Hyderabad), Kun Exclusive (Chennai) and Bavaria Motors (Pune). Owing to an exuberant growth potential, BMW is hopeful of multiplying its annual sales volume and has already chalked out an extensive dealer strategy to support its plans. Phase I of the Dealer network expansion plan includes 12 dealers covering all metropolitan centres of the country by the end of 2008.

BMW dealerships will display the BMW 3 Series (325i, 320i and 320d, 320d Highline) and BMW 5 Series (523i, 525i, 530i and 525d) that are produced at the BMW Plant Chennai, and BMW 6 Series (650i Coupé and 650i Convertible), BMW 7 Series (740Li, 750Li, 760Li and 730Ld), BMW X3 (X3 2.5 si) and the BMW X5 (X5 3.0d and X5 4.8i) which are available in the country as CBU's (completely built-up units). The New BMW M3 Coupé, BMW M5 Sedan, BMW M6 Coupé , BMW M6 Convertible, BMW 7 Series Individual and BMW 6 Series Individual can be ordered at BMW India dealerships from January 2008.

BMW India has partnered with Bajaj Allianz General Insurance for offering motor insurance and with ICICI Bank to offer customised financial solutions for its customers. These products and services are offered through the BMW Financial Services.

BMW India has also established an International Purchasing Office (IPO) at its Headquarters in Gurgaon. The IPO will focus on the development of exports from India to the BMW Group International Production Network and there work towards increasing the sourcing share from India over the next years. The activities include the identification and assessment of potential suppliers taking into account BMW's requirements for quality, technology and logistics. The IPO will explore procurement of production material (components) as well as IT and Engineering Services.