1 week ago
BMW India Targets Electric Growth Beyond Major Indian Cities
BMW India is selling more luxury cars than ever before.
Electric cars are becoming a much bigger part of its sales.
They now make up about one-quarter of the company’s sales in India.
People in smaller cities are also becoming more interested in luxury cars and electric vehicles.
BMW’s leader, Hardeep S. Brar, says the company will offer different kinds of cars based on what customers want.
However, he does not think BMW needs plug-in hybrid cars right now.
He believes fully electric cars are the safest choice because they can travel long distances without producing tailpipe emissions.
BMW is also trying to make buying used electric cars feel less risky.
If trade rules reduce import taxes, BMW may bring more models, including more high-performance M cars, to India.
BMW India recorded its highest-ever first-half sales in early 2026, with year-on-year growth of 17%.
Electric vehicles reached 26% of BMW India’s sales in 2026, up from 8% in 2024, while EV deliveries rose 78%.
BMW says EVs account for about 30% of its metropolitan sales and roughly 20% in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
President and CEO Hardeep S. Brar said BMW India will continue offering petrol, diesel and electric cars but does not plan to introduce plug-in hybrids soon.
BMW India’s pre-owned business grew 54% in 2026, while lower tariffs under the India-EU Free Trade Agreement could enable more vehicle imports and M cars.
- Who
- BMW India, led by President and CEO Hardeep S. Brar, and its customers.
- What
- BMW India is experiencing record growth, led by rising electric-vehicle sales and expanding demand outside major cities.
- Where
- India, including metropolitan, Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities; diesel registration restrictions mentioned in Delhi NCR.
- When
- Early 2026; Brar had been BMW India’s president and CEO for about one year.
- Why
- Growth is being driven by luxury-car aspirations, rising EV adoption, demand for long-wheelbase models and potential changes to vehicle-import tariffs.
Electric-first strategy
Mixed-powertrain flexibility
Role of hybrids
Electric-first strategy
Hardeep S. Brar says BMW India is committed to fully electric vehicles and does not plan to pursue plug-in hybrids, which he describes as a stop-gap option.
Mixed-powertrain flexibility
A mixed-powertrain approach could retain petrol and diesel vehicles alongside EVs as customer preferences change; Brar said BMW will remain agile and continue offering all three powertrain types.
Future of diesel
Electric-first strategy
Brar calls electric vehicles the safest choice and points to diesel restrictions in Delhi NCR and concerns about future regulation.
Mixed-powertrain flexibility
Diesel demand has recently improved, and Brar said the increase in BMW’s EV share was accompanied by an equivalent increase in diesel demand.
Used electric vehicles
Electric-first strategy
Used EVs face uncertainty around battery ageing, new technology and future resale values, so BMW is offering shorter assured buyback periods for them.
Mixed-powertrain flexibility
BMW argues that strong demand and limited supply can support residual values, citing the broader 54% growth in its pre-owned business and strong demand for models such as the iX1.
Key facts
- First-half sales
- BMW India’s highest-ever H1 sales in early 2026, up 17% year on year.
- EV sales share
- Electric vehicles represented 26% of sales in 2026, compared with 8% in 2024.
- EV delivery growth
- EV deliveries increased 78% in early 2026.
- EV market position
- BMW says it holds more than 65% of India’s luxury EV market.
- City split
- EVs account for about 30% of BMW sales in metropolitan markets and about 20% in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
- Pre-owned growth
- BMW India’s used-car business grew 54% in 2026.
- Buyback programme
- The X1 LWB has an assured buyback offer of 60% after four years, according to Brar.
Quotes
Hardeep S. Brar
President and CEO of BMW India
“We don't do this crystal ball gazing because we go with the agility of what the customer wants.”
firstpost.com
“We committed ourselves to electric, and we want to continue with that.”
firstpost.com
Sources
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