BMW emerges as top luxury car in India in 2010

Germany's BMW said on Monday it maintained its lead over rivals Mercedes-Benz and Audi to remain the top luxury car-maker in India in 2010, with sales of 6,246 units. BMW India, which saw 73 per cent growth in sales during the year, enjoys over an 40 per cent share of the luxury car market in the country, which is estimated at around 15,000 units per annum.

"In terms of the sales growth rate, India was among the top three markets for BMW after China, which saw over 80 per cent growth. India and Korea followed it (China) at around the same level," BMW India president Andreas Schaaf told PTI.

Schaaf said the total number of BMW cars sold in India in 2010 exceeded the company's target of 4,200 units.

"The year 2010 was an exceptional one for BMW in India and I am not sure if we can repeat it, but the market will continue to grow and we want to stay number one, as we do not want to give up that position," Schaaf added.

This is the second consecutive year in which BMW has retained leadership position in the luxury car segment in India.

Schaaf, however, said going ahead, there are signs that growth of the automobile market will slow down.

". . . But seeing the incoming orders for BMW products, I am not too worried and do not see any reason to lose optimism," he added.

Rival Mercedes-Benz India, on the other hand, sold 5,819 cars between January and December, 2010, the highest-ever sales figure registered by the company in the country. The company's sales volumes grew by 80 per cent during the year, with key growth drivers being its EClass model (2,490 units), C-Class (2,070 units) and SUV range (523 units), the company said.

Another leading luxury car-maker, Audi India, sold 3,003 units in the country, translating into a growth of 81 per cent vis-a-vis the previous year.

"Having recorded continuous growth all through the year, we are proud of our performance in 2010, as we have exceeded the projected goal for the third year in succession," Audi India director Michael Perschke said.

He said in the current year, the company is eyeing over 50 per cent growth in sales volumes, driven by aggressive product launches, including the Audi A8 sedan and a slew of other models.

The company will be also launching a new version of its A6 and A7 models later this year.