BMW Sets Target of Over 20,000 Sales in India for 2026
German luxury carmaker BMW has set an ambitious target to sell more than 20,000 vehicles in India during the calendar year 2026, capitalising on robust demand in the premium automobile segment. The announcement was made by Hardeep Singh Brar, President and CEO of BMW Group India, at the launch of the new MINI Countryman C, a sports utility vehicle (SUV) that will be locally assembled at the company’s plant in Mahindra World City near Chennai.
In 2025, BMW Group India sold approximately 18,000 units, including 800 MINI cars. Sales momentum has continued into 2026, with a 17 per cent year-on-year increase recorded in the first quarter. Brar expressed confidence that the target is achievable, backed by a strong product pipeline and increasing localisation. "Last year, we sold around 730 MINI cars. So, this year, we want to double MINI sales," he said, indicating a target of roughly 1,600 units for the MINI brand.
The company plans to launch a total of 26 models in 2026, of which 10 will be all-new products. The remaining launches will consist of facelifts and new variants of existing models. The locally produced MINI Countryman C, available in a petrol variant, can now be booked across all MINI India authorised dealerships, and deliveries will begin immediately. This move is expected to make the model more competitive on price and delivery time.
Thomas Dose, Managing Director of BMW Group Plant Chennai, highlighted the facility’s growing production capabilities. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the plant has seen a steady rise in output, achieving new milestones almost monthly. The BMW X1 continues to be the highest-volume model produced at the site. BMW’s local manufacturing footprint in India has been a key differentiator. The Chennai plant, with its state-of-the-art assembly lines and a high degree of localisation, has enabled the company to respond swiftly to market trends. Dose added that the facility is committed to maintaining world-class quality and has implemented several digital and sustainable manufacturing practices. The plant’s flexible production system allows it to easily introduce new models, a capability that will be crucial as BMW ramps up launches in 2026.
Tamil Nadu accounts for around 8 per cent of BMW’s overall sales in the country. Brar noted that the luxury car segment in India has consistently outperformed the mass-market segment, driven by rising disposable incomes and a growing preference for premium brands. The company’s focus on local assembly for key models allows it to offer competitive pricing while maintaining global quality standards.
On the customer profile for MINI, Brar observed that most buyers already own a luxury car and typically purchase a MINI as a second or third vehicle for the family, often as a gift. This trend underscores the brand’s positioning as a lifestyle-oriented, compact luxury offering.
The Indian luxury car market has witnessed sustained growth, and BMW’s intensified localisation and expanded product range are aimed at capturing a larger share. With the new MINI Countryman C being ‘Made in India’, the company reaffirms its commitment to the Indian market. The 20,000-unit sales target, if achieved, would mark a significant milestone for BMW Group India and reflect the growing appetite for luxury vehicles in one of the world’s fastest-expanding automotive markets.
