Mini Set To Make a Huge Splash In India

The premium hatchback segment did not have much visibility in India until the arrival of the Volkswagen Beetle. The lukewarm response to the Beetle has not discouraged BMW from launching its premium small car brand Mini in India.

The Mini was launched in India at the Delhi Auto Expo amidst hundreds of visitors waiting to have a look at the car that has been made famous by its appearances in movies such as the Italian Job and Mr Bean. The event was presented by BMW India chief Dr Andreas Schaaf and Dr Kay Segler who is the Senior vice president at Mini.

The Mini brand was launched by BMW ten years ago and has become synonymous with premium small cars across the globe. BMW India is expected same if not better levels of reception to Mini's models which will include the Mini Cooper, Mini Countryman SUV and the Mini Cooper Convertible.

Mini India will initially sell its cars with petrol engines and six speed automatic transmissions. The main factor that will determine the success or failure of Mini in India is its pricing and here is the price list

Mini Cooper : Rs.24,90,000
Mini Cooper S : Rs.27,90,000
Mini Cooper Convertible: Rs.29,99,000
Mini Cooper S Countryman : Rs.31,99,000

Mini will be setting up three exclusive showrooms in the India. Two of them will be in Delhi and the other one will be in the country's commercial capital Mumbai. Mr Andreas Schaaf said the number of showrooms will increase over a period of time depending on the response the brand will receive from car buyers. Mini will be competing against the recently unveiled Volkswagen Beetle and the Fiat 500 in the premium hatchback segment.