The X1 has been one of the most successful stories not just for BMW India but also for the BMW worldwide. The idea that the 3 Series platform can spawn a little crossover which will become the entry car for the brand has definitely opened up a gold mine for the company. In India, the crossover has been so successful that it constitutes to over half of sales on a monthly basis.
However, the current model was launched in 2009 which make it a bit ‘last decade’ now. So BMW has started working on an update for the X1 for the year 2013 to keep it fresh as a daisy. The test mule spotted over flaunts new bumpers front and rear, as well as updated headlights. More changes are expected as the development progresses.
BMW is expected to work on the current lineup of engines to make them more frugal. Possibly, the hybrid technology from the Toyota partnership may trickle down into a hybrid X1. The possibilities are endless!
Stay tuned as we get you more updates on the X1 facelift.
As IAB readers are aware, BMW dominates the luxury car market in India. It is especially shocking when you know that BMW entered India a few years ago and the fallen giant Mercedes Benz has been around since ages with over 35,000 of its cars on our roads.
With effective marketing strategies and a portfolio of unique products, BMW India has managed to stay ahead of the competition. Three key products have helped BMW win the top slot – corporate 3 Series, BMW 5 series and the hot selling BMW X1.
A couple of other reasons why BMW India have outrun Mercedes is they have priced their products at lower levels (both brands are uttered in the same breath) and there’s the uncontrollable factor called as “brand fatigue” which is like the wrinkles on human skin – you can’t control age and its effects!
The X1 has been the cherry of the eye for BMW. In the recent months, the X1 has sold more than all other BMW products put together. Mercedes Benz is aware that in order to take the market leader position back they need a competitor for the X1. Considering Audi is also set to launch the Q3 by early next year, the three-pointed star needs to bring something to the Indian shores quickly.
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How can a SUV (which is not really an SUV) from a very premium manufacturer compete be the top 3 best selling SUV in India. Whereas the Fortuner dominated the sales charts with 4,485 units from Jan to May, the Endeavour came in second with 1,404 units. The third was the Skoda Yeti with which managed to sell about 1,100 units in the same period. However, and here is the surprise, the BMW X1 sold 947 units and that too when the booking were shut for a period of 3 months. Simply Astonishing!
What is about this Bimmer that makes people stick to it like ants on sugar? Partly, because it is the cheapest BMW money can buy and yes a lot of people aspire to the badge. But is it just a badge game? Or is there substance to this rather unusual vehicle? We just had to find out. So we borrowed a test vehicle from BMW – the diesel one to be specific – and got cracking!
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Left - Brilliance A3 SUV was supposed to debut at the Shanghai Motor Show this month in 4×4/4×2 configuration, featuring either a 1.6 or a 1.8-liter petrol engine. Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Limited is BMW’s joint venture partner in China and the Germans weren’t amused with this lookalike.
Right - BMW’s mini crossover is a runaway success in Europe and in 2WD configuration with 1.8-liter petrol and 2.0-liter diesel engine helped BMW sell over 1,000 cars last month.
BMW’s junior crossover X1 is a hot seller and prices were announced in India simply to begin deliveries. A week before the launch back in December we went around asking for a X1 in Mumbai. Dealers said they weren’t in a position to take bookings as the initial allotments were all taken. The epic response to the X1 was predicted by everyone in the media. Given its price tag and [ Read More ]
Here is a small exercise that you can do just for fun. Walk up to your friend or colleague and appreciate something that he/she is wearing. It can be anything – clothes, shoes, watch etc. The instant reply will be – “Oh! This is ‘X’ brand and I bought it from ‘Y’ place”. This is called ‘the Badge game’ which is based on a simple principle – People (me included) love to flaunt. Pricey badges are totally ‘IN’. Offices, Colleges, Parties etc are the arenas and if you can’t play the ‘Badge Game’ you are nobody.
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Our man Kaustubh Shinde has communicated this piece of text from the just concluded BMW X1 press conference at Deutsche Motoren in New Delhi.
- The BMW X1 for India has a different air filter, higher ground clearance and different suspension setup
- New BMW 6 Series coming during the first of second quarter of 2011
- Deliveries of the new X1 begin today. The vehicle has already been sold out in many parts of India.
- BMW says there’s no further update on Mini brand for India
- BMW, with its limited sales network, has still managed to register 1,000 pre-orders for the X1
- Plant capacity will be increased from current 5,400 units to 8,000 units per year to counter this massive order
Last week, IAB carried an article with the BMW X1′s prices and specifications. In Delhi this afternoon, BMW launched the X1 with the same specifications, variants and prices!
The new BMW X1 will be CKD (completely knocked-down unit) produced in India and the all India ex-showroom prices are as follows –
BMW X1 sDrive18i : INR 22,00,000
BMW X1 sDrive20d : INR 23,90,000
BMW X1 sDrive 20d Exclusive : INR 29,90,000
click through to read the press release
The X1 has been one of the most successful stories not just for BMW India but also for the BMW worldwide. The idea that the 3 Series platform can spawn a little crossover which will become the entry car for the brand has definitely opened up a gold mine for the company. In India, the crossover has been so successful that it constitutes to over half of sales on a monthly basis.
