MINI Could Be Built In India
Posted 20th April, 2007 in Mini | Leave a comment
A new factory in India could be used to help boost the production of BMW’s super-successful MINI. The plant; situated 40km south of Chennai, is seen as a realistic choice to help BMW cope with spiralling demands.
“We are carrying out a market analysis for the launch of the Mini in India. If it is found to be viable, we could have it on sale here in 2009,†said BMW India president Peter Kronschnabl.
David Panton; BMW’s Asia region senior vice president, explained that big tax differences – 114% on imported cars, compared with 60% on Indian-built models – would have a bearing on the company’s decision. “We started the analysis a month ago and we are keeping our options open to include both the completely built up (CBU) route and assembly from parts that are supplied from abroad (completely knocked down – CKD).
“Going the CKD route would call for a big investment, but of course, we have to take price positioning in the reckoning. It is too early to say what will happen…at this stage we don’t know what sales volume would be necessary to make it viable,†said Panton.
[Source: Just-Auto]
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