Mini starts local assembly at BMW's Chennai Plant

GTO · 18th April 2013, 10:23

This is the first time that a Mini will roll off an assembly line outside Europe. BMW announces commencement of local production of the Mini Countryman at Chennai. The local assembly kicks in a little after a year of the brand's launch in India.

The locally produced Mini Countryman will be available in two diesel variants; the Cooper D Countryman and Cooper D Countryman High. A new petrol variant of the Mini One Countryman will also be produced at BMW's Chennai plant.

While the Countryman Cooper S variant will continue to be imported as a Completely Built-up Unit (CBU), like the regular Mini Cooper & Convertible are, BMW is expected to soon localise production of the entire Mini range in India.

Current ex-showroom prices are as follows:

Mini Cooper : 26,60,000
Mini Cooper S : 29,90,000

Mini Cooper Convertible : 32,50,000

Mini One Countryman* : 23,50,000
Mini Cooper D Countryman* : 25,60,000
Mini Cooper D Countryman High* : 28,90,000
Mini Cooper S Countryman : 34,20,000
Mini Cooper S Countryman High : 37,50,000

* The Updated Prices

India is the 100th market in the global Mini sales network. The company currently has showrooms in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bangalore.

Mini starts local assembly at BMW's Chennai Plant-mini-begins-local-production-mini-countryman-india.jpg

Frontosa · 18th April 2013, 10:29

Thanks what could be the ex showroom price of this india produced variant: and since production has started when likely would it be available to purchase?

narayan · 18th April 2013, 10:40

With the Countryman, I think BMW is stretching the brand ( and the car of course ) a bit too much ! Whats next in line ? A mini-SUV ?

absynthguzzler · 18th April 2013, 10:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by narayan

With the Countryman, I think BMW is stretching the brand ( and the car of course ) a bit too much ! Whats next in line ? A mini-SUV ?

+Million!!!.

Ive lost complete fascination towards the MINI brand ever since they came out with miniish variants, especially when they increased its size.

Cant blame HM for making an Amby Pick-up when BMW redesigns (mess up) such a good brand.

dkaile · 18th April 2013, 11:55

We may be fans of German engineering to the hilt but these are insane pricing no matter how well built these cars may be.

karan561 · 18th April 2013, 12:05

Seems this is clearly the reaction of the post budget duty blow shown by MINI & IMO it was a fairly quick start of operations

Also sometimes makes me wonder these Auto biggies would surely be having the inside information on whats going to happen in the upcoming budget to plan their strategy.

Adding the Diesel line up will surely act as feather in the cap for MINI

FlyingSpur · 18th April 2013, 12:30

Are these prices post-CKD? If yes, they are quite shocking. A nice example set by Harley-Davidson when they slashed prices of three of their big bikes by around 20-30% post-CKD. Not to mention, timed perfectly post-budget.

manolin · 18th April 2013, 12:58

Even for the well heeled - the Mini needs to be at 14-15 lakhs to make even a buying proposition. At 25 big ones, it is, and will keep drawing a big zero.

I don't understand these manufacturers, and their marketing/sales plans. Isn't it the idea that you sell as much as you can, while investing as little as you can. If that is the idea and the balance - when it is as big a market as India, why not tilt it a little towards the investment side, so that the sales also pick up.

vb-saan · 18th April 2013, 13:04

Smart move IMO. I feel the pricing is quite competitive for the segment, especially for the Cooper D Countryman High. And the car has got a lot more presence and character compared to the family member X1. The entry-level luxury pseudo crossover segment is suddenly getting active. Interesting to see where the Volvo V40 Cross Country will slot in.

elantracrdi05 · 18th April 2013, 13:35

Thanks for the info!

Do you have any idea what is the diesel engine proposed? Is it the current X1/320d unit? Also, what is the difference between the Countryman D and Countryman D High?

shabash · 18th April 2013, 13:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

Mini One Countryman : 23,50,000
Attachment 1074994

This is mouth watering price - Hope the prices will start dropping further. If OTR prices come below 25L in Bangalore, I seriously want to consider Mini as one of my next Buys - and needless to say that will be one car I will retain for a very looooong time.

Maky · 18th April 2013, 13:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

Ex-showroom prices are as follows:

Mini Cooper : 26,60,000
Mini Cooper S : 29,90,000

Mini Cooper Convertible : 32,50,000

Mini One Countryman : 23,50,000
Mini Cooper D Countryman : 25,60,000
Mini Cooper D Countryman High : 28,90,000
Mini Cooper S Countryman : 34,20,000
Mini Cooper S Countryman High : 37,50,000

India is the 100th market in the global Mini sales network. The company currently has showrooms in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bangalore.

Attachment 1074994

GTO the prices you have quoted are current CBU ones or the ones after local production will have commenced?

SDP · 18th April 2013, 14:58

Not very clear from the news if BMW intends to export Minis from India. If that is the case, then it makes sense.

Otherwise, with the low sales numbers of the Mini, I don't see the logic behind setting up a assembly line here.

HKap · 18th April 2013, 15:11

I believe the prices mentioned are new ones. The countryman was earlier priced at 33L+. The new prices are lower by about 10L.

Sahil · 18th April 2013, 15:25

Gotta love BMW's commitment to the Indian market. Even a very low volume car like the Mini is now being produced here, first time outside of it's home country, excellent !! Jai Hind !!

The brand's biggest USP is the variety of customisation it offers, I hope they continue to do so in the CKD versions.

18th April 2013, 10:23	#1
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,534 Thanked: 300,734 Times View My Garage	Mini starts local assembly at BMW's Chennai Plant This is the first time that a Mini will roll off an assembly line outside Europe. BMW announces commencement of local production of the Mini Countryman at Chennai. The local assembly kicks in a little after a year of the brand's launch in India. The locally produced Mini Countryman will be available in two diesel variants; the Cooper D Countryman and Cooper D Countryman High. A new petrol variant of the Mini One Countryman will also be produced at BMW's Chennai plant. While the Countryman Cooper S variant will continue to be imported as a Completely Built-up Unit (CBU), like the regular Mini Cooper & Convertible are, BMW is expected to soon localise production of the entire Mini range in India. Current ex-showroom prices are as follows: Mini Cooper : 26,60,000 Mini Cooper S : 29,90,000 Mini Cooper Convertible : 32,50,000 Mini One Countryman* : 23,50,000 Mini Cooper D Countryman* : 25,60,000 Mini Cooper D Countryman High* : 28,90,000 Mini Cooper S Countryman : 34,20,000 Mini Cooper S Countryman High : 37,50,000 * The Updated Prices India is the 100th market in the global Mini sales network. The company currently has showrooms in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bangalore. Last edited by GTO : 19th April 2013 at 13:50.
	(15) Thanks

18th April 2013, 10:29	#2
Frontosa BHPian Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Mumbai Posts: 226 Thanked: 224 Times	Thanks what could be the ex showroom price of this india produced variant: and since production has started when likely would it be available to purchase?
	() Thanks

18th April 2013, 10:40	#3
narayan Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Singapore Posts: 3,114 Thanked: 2,372 Times View My Garage	Re: Mini starts local assembly at BMW's Chennai Plant With the Countryman, I think BMW is stretching the brand ( and the car of course ) a bit too much ! Whats next in line ? A mini-SUV ?
	() Thanks

18th April 2013, 11:55	#5
dkaile Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2011 Location: Meerut, India Posts: 3,401 Thanked: 7,909 Times View My Garage	Re: Mini starts local assembly at BMW's Chennai Plant We may be fans of German engineering to the hilt but these are insane pricing no matter how well built these cars may be.
	() Thanks

18th April 2013, 12:05	#6
karan561 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 5,068 Thanked: 22,246 Times View My Garage	Re: Mini starts local assembly at BMW's Chennai Plant Seems this is clearly the reaction of the post budget duty blow shown by MINI & IMO it was a fairly quick start of operations Also sometimes makes me wonder these Auto biggies would surely be having the inside information on whats going to happen in the upcoming budget to plan their strategy. Adding the Diesel line up will surely act as feather in the cap for MINI Last edited by karan561 : 18th April 2013 at 12:10.
	(1) Thanks

18th April 2013, 12:30	#7
FlyingSpur Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 3,934 Thanked: 1,422 Times View My Garage	Re: Mini starts local assembly at BMW's Chennai Plant Are these prices post-CKD? If yes, they are quite shocking. A nice example set by Harley-Davidson when they slashed prices of three of their big bikes by around 20-30% post-CKD. Not to mention, timed perfectly post-budget.
	(3) Thanks

18th April 2013, 12:58	#8
manolin BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Delhi/Cuttack Posts: 390 Thanked: 202 Times	Re: Mini starts local assembly at BMW's Chennai Plant Even for the well heeled - the Mini needs to be at 14-15 lakhs to make even a buying proposition. At 25 big ones, it is, and will keep drawing a big zero. I don't understand these manufacturers, and their marketing/sales plans. Isn't it the idea that you sell as much as you can, while investing as little as you can. If that is the idea and the balance - when it is as big a market as India, why not tilt it a little towards the investment side, so that the sales also pick up.
	(2) Thanks

18th April 2013, 13:04	#9
vb-saan Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: S'pore/Thrissur Posts: 7,273 Thanked: 12,404 Times	Re: Mini starts local assembly at BMW's Chennai Plant Smart move IMO. I feel the pricing is quite competitive for the segment, especially for the Cooper D Countryman High. And the car has got a lot more presence and character compared to the family member X1. The entry-level luxury pseudo crossover segment is suddenly getting active. Interesting to see where the Volvo V40 Cross Country will slot in.
	() Thanks

18th April 2013, 13:35	#10
elantracrdi05 BHPian Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 128 Thanked: 127 Times	Re: Mini starts local assembly at BMW's Chennai Plant Thanks for the info! Do you have any idea what is the diesel engine proposed? Is it the current X1/320d unit? Also, what is the difference between the Countryman D and Countryman D High?
	() Thanks

18th April 2013, 14:58	#13
SDP Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Mumbai Posts: 4,737 Thanked: 11,279 Times	Re: Mini starts local assembly at BMW's Chennai Plant Not very clear from the news if BMW intends to export Minis from India. If that is the case, then it makes sense. Otherwise, with the low sales numbers of the Mini, I don't see the logic behind setting up a assembly line here.
	() Thanks

18th April 2013, 15:11	#14
HKap BHPian Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Toronto Posts: 364 Thanked: 422 Times	Re: Mini starts local assembly at BMW's Chennai Plant I believe the prices mentioned are new ones. The countryman was earlier priced at 33L+. The new prices are lower by about 10L.
	(3) Thanks

18th April 2013, 15:25	#15
Sahil Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 6,292 Thanked: 7,607 Times	Re: Mini starts local assembly at BMW's Chennai Plant Gotta love BMW's commitment to the Indian market. Even a very low volume car like the Mini is now being produced here, first time outside of it's home country, excellent !! Jai Hind !! The brand's biggest USP is the variety of customisation it offers, I hope they continue to do so in the CKD versions.
	(3) Thanks