The Hindu : Business : BMW may get into bike business in India

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Mar 17, 2006

Business

Business

BMW may get into bike business in India

K. T. Jagannathan

MUNICH: Even as the German car maker, BMW, has maintained its long-term engagement in India as opposed to short-term number gaining exercises, it has hinted that it can get into the motorbike business as well. While being extremely guarded, Klaus Berning, Senior Vice-President (Sales), Asia, Pacific, Africa and East Europe, BMW, said the company invariably got into the motorbike business whenever it entered any country to make cars.

Five years ago, BMW entered the Netherlands with car and bikes. "Wherever we have subsidiary, we have entered the bike business,'' Mr. Berning said. However, he was more cautious while making any commitment on India. Its earlier experience in India vis-a-vis motorbikes was none too happy. "When we see the potential, we will come with a bike,'' he said.

The wait-and-watch approach, Mr. Berning said, should be seen in the context of the fact that motorbike as a leisure concept had not come into vogue in India. Mr. Berning said BMW's motorbike aspiration in India could happen inside five years.

BMW officials, however, said the company could produce MINI in India much before making bikes. Mr. Berning said the company could strive to increase the indigenous content of cars produced from its upcoming Chennai facility.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail