As forecast accurately by Autocar Professional in July 2022, BMW Motorrad India, the two-wheeler arm of the German luxury carmaker, has achieved best-ever annual sales in CY2022. The company sold a total of 7,282 units, which constitutes 40% year-on-year growth in CY2022 (CY2021: 5,191 units). CY2021 saw it record 100% YoY growth at 5,191 units (CY2020: 2,563 units).
BMW Motorrad India was well placed for record sales at half-way stage itself in 2022. It had sold 3,114 units – 60% of total CY2021 sales – and recorded 56.7% growth in the January-June 2022 period. Together, the G310 R and G310 GS commanded a share of around 90%, which means 2,802 units.
As has been in the past four years, the G 310 series of bikes have been the biggest sales contributors and it was no different in 2022 albeit the range saw expansion. BMW Motorrad India’s product portfolio received a new charge in mid-2002 when it launched the third member of the 310 series – the G310 RR – on July 15. As per the company’s note today, the BMW G 310 R, G 310 RR and BMW G 310 GS commanded a share of 90% in motorcycle sales in CY2022. Other popular models in the Indian market are the S 1000 RR, R 1250 GS / GSA and the C 400 GT scooter.
CY2022’s sales of 7,282 units are a 40% YoY increase. The trio of G310s has an overwhelming 90% share of the total sales.
Closing in on cumulative sales of 20,000 units
From end-2017, when it began operations in the country and end-2022, BMW Motorrad India has sold a total of 19,878 motorcycles (see sales data table above). The first two siblings – the G310 R and G310 S – have been the company’s best-selling products right since their launch on July 18, 2018, priced at Rs 299,000 and Rs 349,000 respectively. The G310 RR has only accelerated the sales curve.
In July 2018, the launch of G310 R and G310 S marked the company’s entry in India’s growing midsize motorcycle segment. What’s more, they were the most affordable models from the German manufacturer and the entry point to the BMW Motorrad world. While the made-in-India G310R and the G310GS were being exported to European and the US markets, their rollout in India has paid huge dividends over the past five-and-half years.
With demand in the midsize motorcycle market, and also the premium segment within that, taking off, BMW Motorrad India has capitalised on the trend
BMW-TVS partnership to extend to future tech and EVs
The trio of 310s – G310 RR, G310 R and G310 GS – has been jointly developed by BMW Motorrad and TVS Motor Company and are locally produced in India from TVS’ state-of-the-art plant in Hosur, Tamil Nadu. Now, with the wave of electrification gradually taking root across the world and also in India, where e-wheeler sales have soared 305% to race past 600,000 units in CY2022, both OEMs are also to collaborate on a common platform.
On December 15, 2021, the two companies announced a plan to develop common platforms by mutually tapping the emerging technologies in the future mobility space, keeping in mind the global requirements of customer segments in various markets. Exclusive products for both companies will be developed on these common platforms, and the two OEMs will retail their products globally.
TVS will continue to bring on board engineering prowess in design, manufacturing and supply chain capabilities and provide best-in-class quality and economic advantage. The first product through this cooperation is expected to be showcased before the end of 2025.
BMW Group rides demand for luxury vehicles
BMW Group India’s car sales also registered their best-ever year – a total of 11,268 BMW cars (up 37% YoY) and 713 cars from MINI India (up 11.4% YoY) were also sold.
Commenting on the CY2022 sales performance, Vikram Pawah, President, BMW Group India said, “BMW Group is tremendously proud to have delivered its best-ever year in India since its inception. We have been working relentlessly on our strategy which has given this unabated and dynamic growth in the premium car and motorcycle segment. This achievement is a direct result of an unwavering focus on bringing the most exclusive products, offering the best services and our deep engagement towards meeting customer expectations. Now, our next goal is to meet the high demand for our products throughout the country and to change the game in the premium automotive segment.”
SEE VIDEO
In Conversation with BMW Group India’s Vikram Pawah