Mini India Sells 280 Cars, Aims For More

Published: Friday, December 21, 2012, 15:57 [IST]

Mini, the British premium car brand owned by BMW Group has surpassed its own sales targets in India. Mini, which was launched in India during the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo, has sold as many as 280 cars this year until November. It is now looking to sell 20 more cars in December and reach 300 sales.

BMW India which is handling Mini's Indian activities has expressed happiness on the performance of the brand in India. BMW India president Philipp von Sahr who spoke about Mini India's sales said: " The success of MINI in India has far surpassed our expectation." He was speaking to media person during the opening of Mini India's latest showroom in Hyderabad on Wednesday.

Mini India currently operates two showrooms in India. The first one is in Delhi and the second one is in India's commercial capital Mumbai. Mini India's Hyderabad showroom will mark the entry of the brand in South India.

Mini has performed exceedingly well in terms of sales in India in 2012. Other premium cars are no where close to how Mini has established itself in the premium compact car segment. The Volkswagen Beetle is the only premium hatchback in Mini's segment. Volkswagen has managed to sell just one Beetle during the whole of 2012. Fiat which was selling its 500 premium hatchback stopped selling it in 2012 after selling just one unit in 2011.

Mini is looking at India as not just as a growing market but also as an important source for spare parts. Mr Philipp von Sahr said many parts were being imported from India by Mini. He also did not rule out the possibility of Mini cars being manufactured in India if the demand is right. Mini imports three of its cars as CBU- The Mini Cooper, Mini Convertible and the Mini Countryman.