BMW India announced opening of Platino Classic, its dealership in Kochi. Platino Classic brings to Kochi the BMW standards of sales and service and the same international experience as any BMW dealership worldwide.
The showroom is located on Vyatilla Aroor Bye Pass Road, Maradu and a fully equipped workshop will be functional in a few months at the same location. The interim workshop is located at Vyatilla on NH 47 Bye Pass Road. The showroom and workshop are headed by Mr. P.P. Ashique, Managing Director, Platino Classic.
Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Peter Kronschnabl, President, BMW India said, “Today we are proud to open our 12th dealership in India. Our partnership with Platino Classic is reflective of BMW’s efforts to connect with its consumers and provide high quality services that are at par with international standards. We are confident that this new partnership in Kochi, the Gateway to Kerala and an important market for us, will help fuel BMW’s growth plans in India.”
The showroom and workshop covers approximately 11500 sq ft of space and offers the customers a unique retail environment. The showroom is evolved on the signature-BMW concept of street display and the pavement flanking alongside as the customer area. The workshop will have 4 service bays and 1 diagnostic bay capable of servicing 15-20 cars a day.
All operations related to sales are efficiently covered from the space, which ensures comfort to the customer at the point of sales.
As with every other BMW dealership, Platino Classic will be provided intense training in management of sales, service, spare parts and business systems to ensure customers receive best-in-class pre and post sales ownership experience. A team of service engineers will also be trained at BMW’s training centers in Singapore, Malaysia and Germany.
Mr. P.P Ashique from Platino Classic said, “We take pride in our new relationship with BMW India and are fully committed to this partnership. It is an exciting opportunity for us as BMW has unparalleled strength in the development, production and sales of premium vehicles and is among the most coveted premium brands in India.”
BMW India Private Limited
Headquartered in Gurgaon (National Capital Region) BMW India is a 100% subsidiary of the BMW Group. The initial investment in India is 1.1 billion Indian Rupees.
The wide range of BMW in India include the establishment of a production plant in Chennai (Tamil Nadu) and development of a dealer organisation across major metropolitan centres of the country.
In medium term, BMW India will employ around 200 people; up to 600 additional jobs will be created in the dealer and service network.
On 29 March 2007, BMW India officially opened its production plant in Chennai. The BMW Plant Chennai produces the BMW 3 Series and BMW 5 Series Sedans in petrol and diesel variants and has a capacity to produce 3000 units per year on a single shift basis.
Presently, 12 dealers represent BMW in the Indian market; Bird Automotive (Gurgaon, NCR), Deutschen Motoren (New Delhi); Navnit Motors (Mumbai), Infinity Cars (South Mumbai); Krishna Automobiles (Chandigarh); Navnit Motors (Bangalore), Delta Motors (Hyderabad), Kun Exclusive (Chennai), Bavaria Motors (Pune), OSL Prestige (Kolkata), Parsoli Motors (Ahmedabad) and Platino Classic (Kochi) . Owing to an exuberant growth potential, BMW is hopeful of multiplying its annual sales volume and has already chalked out an extensive dealer strategy to support its plans.
BMW India will further strengthen the dealer network by stepping into Phase II, by expanding into the markets of Ludhiana, Bhubaneshwar, Jaipur and Coimbatore, by the end of 2009.
BMW dealerships will display the BMW 3 Series (325i, 320i and 320d, 320d Highline) and BMW 5 Series (525i, 530i, 520d, 530d and 530d Highline) that are produced at the BMW Plant Chennai. BMW dealerships will also display the BMW 6 Series (650i Coupé and 650i Convertible), BMW 7 Series (740Li, 750Li, 760Li and 730Ld), BMW X3 (X3 2.0 d) and the BMW X5 (X5 3.0d and X5 4.8i) which are available in the country as CBU’s (completely built-up units). The BMW M3 Coupé, BMW M3 Convertible, BMW BMW M5, BMW M6 Coupé, BMW M6 Convertible, BMW 6 Series Individual and BMW 7 Series Individual can be ordered at BMW India dealerships.
BMW India has also established an International Purchasing Office (IPO) at its Headquarters in Gurgaon. The IPO will focus on the development of exports from India to the BMW Group International Production Network and there work towards increasing the sourcing share from India over the next years. The activities include the identification and assessment of potential suppliers taking into account BMW’s requirements for quality, technology and logistics. The IPOwill explore procurement of production material (components) as well as IT and Engineering Services.
BMW Financial Services
BMW Financial Services is currently active in more than 50 countries worldwide offering competitive financial solutions for BMW and MINI customers. In 20 countries, BMW Financial Services offers its services through leading local banking and insurance partners.
BMW India has partnered with Bajaj Allianz General Insurance for offering motor insurance and with ICICI Bank to offer customised financial solutions and ORIX Auto Infrastructure Services Limited for leasing services for its customers. These products and services are offered through the BMW Financial Services.
