BMW in new tie-ups for 50% ‘Make in India’ components

German luxury car maker BMW has partnered with auto-component suppliers to increase local content in cars produced at its Chennai plant to around 50 per cent, the company said today.

"The BMW Plant Chennai is the heart of our India operations. Since 2007, BMW has strengthened its commitment to the Indian market and has continuously increased the number of its local produced car models," BMW Group India president Philipp von Sahr said in a statement.

"With a strong portfolio of locally produced cars, it is now the appropriate time for us to partner with major Indian auto-component suppliers who will play a significant role in future strategy of BMW Group in India," he said.

Some of the major auto components sourced for the local production of cars at the BMW plant are engines and gearboxes from Force Motors, axles from ZF Hero Chassis, door panels from Draexlmaier India, exhaust systems from Tenneco Automotive, heating, ventilating and air-conditioning modules from Valeo India and seats from Lear India.

"BMW Plant Chennai takes pride in producing cars that have the same international quality standards as any of the 30 BMW Group production and assembly facilities worldwide," plant managing director, Robert Frittrang said.

"We are confident that through our partnership with Indian auto-component suppliers, we will set even higher benchmarks not only in quality but also in cost optimisation."

The BMW Group has invested Rs390 crore at the Chennai plant. It produces the BMW the 1 and 3 Series, the Gran Turismo, the BMW 5 and 7 series, and the X1, X3 and X5.

The company has 37 sales outlets across the country, the statement said.