BMW Motorrad evaluating local assembly in India - Report

ET Auto reports that BMW Motorrad is mulling over the possibility of assembling motorcycles in India. The bikes will be imported in CKD form from Thailand.

As per the website’s report, the German manufacturer is considering importing bikes from Thailand for local assembly. BMW Motorrad has a plant in Rayong, Thailand, and thanks to the Free Trade Agreement between India and Thailand, the German bikes can become more affordable. BMW Motorrad’s head of sales and marketing, Timo Resch, told ET in a recent interview that it’s a great opportunity for BMW in the premium motorcycle space, as India is the largest motorcycle market in the world. Resch said:

We are constantly evaluating if there is a market potential for local assembly that will make a profitable business case for us. If the market growth continues, that could very well be an opportunity. But a decision on this has yet to be made.

Also Read: BMW Motorrad India sells 150 units in 2 months – Report

In October this year, it was reported that the German brand is considering setting up a used bike programme to fill the product gaps. Currently, the company brings its products via the CBU route; and the price starts from INR 14.90 lakhs to INR 29 lakhs, both ex-showroom, Delhi. The brand recently launched the BMW R nineT Racer and the K 1600 B at the 2017 India Bike Week in Goa.

[Source: ET Auto]