BMW to Produce MINI Countryman in Chennai Plant; ₹10 Lakh Price Slash Likely

Luxury car maker BMW will soon start production of its MINI Countryman, at its Chennai plant, making it the company's first plant outside Europe to produce the compact sports utility vehicle (SUV).

The move is likely to bring down the cost of MINI Countryman in India by about ₹10 lakh. According to a Live Mint report, the vehicle is likely to be priced ₹23.50 lakh to ₹37.50 lakh, down from ₹34.20 lakh to 37.50 lakh. Robert Frittrang, managing director, BMW India while announcing BMW's production plan for India said that manufacturing will commence at the plant next month and the vehicle will be unveiled by the end of this year.

"A new chapter is set to be written in MINI's global success story as cars from the British premium brand roll off an assembly line outside Europe for the first time. The Group today announced the commencement of local production of MINI Countryman at BMW Plant near Chennai," BMW India said in a statement.

The local production of MINI will make it the first premium small car in India which is produced domestically. The company is now hoping for growth in this segment.

"With the production of MINI Countryman at the BMW Plant Chennai, MINI is the first premium small car to be locally manufactured in India and expects significant growth over the medium and long-term," BMW said adding that "The vehicles manufactured at BMW Chennai will fulfil the same quality standards that apply to production of BMW Group models worldwide."

BMW MINI Countyman will come in two diesel variants - MINI Cooper D Countryman and MINI Cooper D Countryman High - and the INI One Countryman petrol variant.

Currently, the Chennai plant produces BMW 3 Series, BMW 5 Series, BMW X1, and BMW X3.