MINI to Double Sales in India Via Chennai Assembly

BMW Group India is set to significantly boost MINI brand sales in the country, targeting a doubling of volumes by the end of 2026. This ambitious goal is underpinned by the strategic decision to assemble the internal combustion engine (ICE) variant of the MINI Countryman locally at the group's Chennai manufacturing facility.

The move represents a significant shift from a limited product offering to a broader market approach. This expansion will increase the number of BMW Group's locally produced models in India to 11. The locally assembled Countryman C is expected to enhance price accessibility by reducing import dependence, with localization levels aiming for up to 50 percent.

To support this growth, MINI is expanding its retail footprint, planning to enter 10 new cities, many of which are Tier-2 markets. Service network integration with BMW Group India's existing infrastructure ensures accessible after-sales support across 51 touchpoints in 36 cities.

This localization strategy also acts as a hedge against macroeconomic challenges like foreign-exchange volatility and high import costs. The company is also focused on its electric vehicle (EV) portfolio, which currently constitutes 26 percent of total group sales, with plans for EVs to maintain a significant mix within the MINI brand.