BMW zeroes in on Chennai
BMW Group, Germany’s premium automobile maker, appears to have zeroed in on Chennai to set up its base in India. The Chennai facility is proposed to be an assembly for completely knocked down BMW units. The German car-maker is believed to be in the process of signing up for land in the Mahindra Industrial Park, near Chennai. An announcement to the effect is expected soon.
Informed sources said, BMW was looking at a land area of up to 60 acres in the industrial park. Initially, the car-maker was inclined to go in for about 20 acres of land to set up its facility. It now appears that BMW would be looking at a larger area for its operations.
If BMW homes in on Chennai, which is also called the Detroit of India, it would be a major coup for the state as it already houses an entire automobile ecosystem with players like Ford, Hyundai, Mitsubishi, TVS, Ashok Leyland and a well-developed vendor base. Interestingly, BMW was scouting around other states in India and had held prolonged deliberations with Kerala.
“The work culture of the people, port infrastructure and an established auto industry in Tamil Nadu has perhaps swung the decision in favour of Chennai,” sources said. Investment details and the scale of operations of BMW in India are, however, not available. The BMW Group is present in the premium segments in the international automobile market with brands like BMW and Rolls-Royce. The company also offers premium motorcycles in its product portfolio.
Significantly, there has been ample interest from German car-makers to set up their facilities in India. Volkswagen, whose India project has now run into rough weather, had plans to set up a manufacturing facility in Andhra Pradesh. Although the company is still keen on entering the country, it has put the project temporarily on hold.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1193586.cms
Informed sources said, BMW was looking at a land area of up to 60 acres in the industrial park. Initially, the car-maker was inclined to go in for about 20 acres of land to set up its facility. It now appears that BMW would be looking at a larger area for its operations.
If BMW homes in on Chennai, which is also called the Detroit of India, it would be a major coup for the state as it already houses an entire automobile ecosystem with players like Ford, Hyundai, Mitsubishi, TVS, Ashok Leyland and a well-developed vendor base. Interestingly, BMW was scouting around other states in India and had held prolonged deliberations with Kerala.
“The work culture of the people, port infrastructure and an established auto industry in Tamil Nadu has perhaps swung the decision in favour of Chennai,” sources said. Investment details and the scale of operations of BMW in India are, however, not available. The BMW Group is present in the premium segments in the international automobile market with brands like BMW and Rolls-Royce. The company also offers premium motorcycles in its product portfolio.
Significantly, there has been ample interest from German car-makers to set up their facilities in India. Volkswagen, whose India project has now run into rough weather, had plans to set up a manufacturing facility in Andhra Pradesh. Although the company is still keen on entering the country, it has put the project temporarily on hold.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1193586.cms
fantastic! Chennai is really set to be the Auto Capital of India.
Posted by
Lg |
10:07 PM