Latest news with #VikramPawah
Time of India
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
India's luxury car market gets an EV charge
India's luxury vehicle market is giving itself an EV charge. According to the latest data from Vahan dashboard, the penetration of EVs in the luxury car market increased from 7per cent in January-May 2024 to 11% in the same period this year. Luxe e-vehicle sales went from 1,223 units in Jan-May 24 to 2,027 units in the same period this year, shows the Vahan data. For calendar 2024, e-luxe vehicle sales were around 51,000 units up from just over 48,000 units in 2023 (some OEMs did not share retail data). This is the first time that EV penetration in the luxe car and SUV market has entered double digit territory. Santosh Iyer, MD & CEO, Mercedes Benz India said, 'More luxury customers are lapping up electric vehicles. In the calendar year 2025 YTD, the total luxury vehicle market grew 5per cent but the electric luxury market was up 66per cent and Mercedes Benz India saw 73% growth.' The company which launched the EQS580 sedan celebration edition in Chennai on Monday, is focusing on the higher end of its luxury lineup. 'We are growing in the top end of the EV space with the EQS sedan, EQS SUV and Maybach EQS 680 SUV leading the growth,' he added. With more than 3,000 EVs sold till date arch-rival BMW Group India is serious about its electric presence. Vikram Pawah, president and CEO, BMW Group India said, 'BMW is the leader in electric luxury mobility since the last 3 years. At present, we command 58per cent of luxury EV market share.' The company sold 1,020 units of its BMW and Mini EVs in January to May 2025, up 110per cent over the same period last year. The company is also focusing on 'enabling a strong EV ecosystem for our consumers,' by understanding usage patterns, offering a strong charging network and a host of charging initiatives. As for Audi India, it is offering customers access to 6,500 plus charge points through a charging app for convenience. Priced anywhere between ₹ 1 crore to ₹3 crore, the e-luxe cars and SUVs are not cheap. But luxury car makers are looking at this segment as a growth opportunity even if EVs currently comprise less than 10per cent of their sales. For Audi India, for instance, EVs constitute 2per cent of its total sales volumes while for Mercedes Benz India electric comprised 7per cent of its 19,565 units overall sales in 2024.
Mint
13-06-2025
- Automotive
- Mint
How tech is transforming the Indian car market
Six months ago, Honda launched a new iteration of its least expensive car in India: the Amaze. While it was a seemingly regular refresh of a mainstream car, the Amaze brought features not seen before in its segment: lane-keep assistance, adaptive cruise control, collision avoidance and road departure warning for as low as ₹12 lakh on-road. Honda isn't the only one. In 2021, homegrown carmaker Mahindra Auto launched its premium sports utility vehicle, the XUV700. It saw massive demand, contributing to Mahindra becoming India's second biggest carmaker by sales last month. Its key hook: car, priced ₹9 lakh onward, brought features that were so far largely reserved for luxury cars priced at around ₹50 lakh and above: remote car start control, remote air conditioning, live tracking and geofencing through a mobile app, autonomous braking and related advanced driver assistance system (Adas) features, a 'Smart Pilot' semi-autonomous driving mode, a 360-degree parking camera, and more. These features, along with the likes of tyre pressure monitoring, cameras on side mirrors, auto-dimming electronic mirrors, are becoming standard across cars priced at around ₹15 lakh. A decade ago, most cars in this segment showcased Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as their prime tech offerings, alongside branded speaker set-ups. The technology itself is on a steady evolution trajectory—basic Adas features are found in an increasing number of cars, while luxury carmakers are finding ways to use tech in indulgent ways. Theatres & intelligent seats 'I no longer press buttons or scroll through toggles, I simply speak with my car. For instance, I can tell my car to adjust the air conditioning if I'm feeling hot," Vikram Pawah, president, says BMW India. Pawah's proposition with BMW is of tech that provides lifestyle enhancement. The BMW i7, the company's flagship offering, features an 8K 'Theatre Screen'—a 31-inch fold-out display that can turn the car into a private theatre. While Adas features have continued to evolve alongside, the company has begun standardizing various technologies. 'Basic Adas features, for us, are a part of the standard offering even in our entry-level models—we view this as a necessity that customers demand in terms of safety. Even the curved display on the dashboard is a necessity to ensure that all the information is within the eye-level of the driver, minimizing the need for distractions," Pawah says. Santosh Iyer, managing director and chief executive of Mercedes-Benz India, concurs. 'We're now in the process of integrating a new operating system, which will integrate generative artificial intelligence—where the voice assistant in the car will learn from an owner's usage habits. For instance, a Mercedes-Benz car can automatically learn how a seat is configured based on daily usage trends, and adjust it based on the time of the day," Iyer said. Mercedes-Benz, in its flagship offering, the EQS SUV, offers a 56-inch 'Hyperscreen' that integrates all information across three separate display panels. While one caters to the driver and shows the mechanical essentials of the car, there is also a 17.7-inch infotainment display, and a third 12.3-inch display for the co-passenger riding up front. Both Pawah and Iyer believe that none of them take anything away from the primary features of their cars, either. 'Our focus remains on the driving experience, but the technology features ramp-up what we have on offer to showcase features that were never seen in cars before," Pawah said. Connected cars In the luxury segment, connected cars—vehicles with integrated connectivity that can relay information on weather and live traffic through a central server—have become the norm. 'We're using this today to work with governments and public bodies to try and improve road safety conditions, as well as roads themselves. This is a key part of our offering, and while it does add to the cost significantly in terms of engineering and integration of chips, it's a long-term benefit. Customers buying a car today, for instance, can receive software updates to their in-car system for eight or more years down the line—hence giving them incremental value over time," says Iyer. BMW, too, offers connected cars as a platform—in the long run, this data can be harvested for autonomous driving use cases. Buying decisions Car buyers, too, feel that tech features give them more bang for the buck. Noida-based 44-year-old IT professional, Anuraag K, says that he bought the new Honda City over a similar offering from Skoda because an equivalent variant of the car gave him access to Apple CarPlay wirelessly. 'It's a tiny thing for many people, but for me, it made a big difference—not having to keep my phone tethered to a wire," he said. Meanwhile, Aniket Hazra, a 28-year-old consultancy professional, says that he is considering the Mahindra XUV700 over SUV offerings from other brands 'because Mahindra's tech-laden aesthetics simply feel more premium—even closer to a Tesla." Consultants believe that technology is an imperative, but in terms of buying decisions, there could be diminishing room for differentiation. 'While there are some early movers, every carmaker is integrating most forms of Adas features and software-driven experiences to remain competitive. Buyers today are more tempted with tech features that are visible or can be experienced than what's under the hood. This is a clear way in which tech is impacting car-buying decisions," says Som Kapoor, automotive leader for EY India. In the long run, the differentiating aspect of technology will be agnostic of segments and will depend on how tactically useful the technology is. 'People today expect that if their phones can do a certain task, why can't their car? The key factor to note here is to analyze 'features leading to benefits'—the more value-added features a carmaker can integrate, the more will it lure in users to choose one car over another," says Kapoor .
India Today
06-06-2025
- Automotive
- India Today
Mini Countryman E John Cooper Works Pack launched in India at Rs 62 lakh
Mini India has launched the exclusive MINI Countryman E John Cooper Works (JCW) Pack, an electric SUV blending iconic British motoring flair with modern performance. Limited to just 20 units, the special edition is priced at Rs 62 lakh (ex-showroom) and will be sold exclusively through the Mini online shop. Deliveries commence on 10 June latest variant of the third-generation Mini Countryman E brings John Cooper Works' motorsport legacy to the electric frontier. The performance-oriented SUV promises go-kart-like driving dynamics with sustainable electric mobility, delivering 204bhp, 250Nm of torque, and 0-100 km/h in 8.6 seconds — powered by a 66.45kWh battery with a WLTP-certified range of up to MINI Countryman E JCW Pack is for those who want racetrack excitement in an urban setting,' said Vikram Pawah, President & CEO, BMW Group India. 'It channels MINI's motorsport DNA while offering futuristic electric mobility.' Available in Legend Grey and Midnight Black, the car wears signature JCW styling — from the piano black grille and sporty bumpers to 19-inch JCW Runway Spoke Black alloys and aerodynamic side skirts. The JCW Sport Stripes, roof rails in black, and flush door handles emphasise its aggressive, modern the cabin is loaded with sustainable materials and advanced tech. JCW Sport Seats, a 240mm OLED circular touchscreen, and MINI's new Operating System 9 offer a next-gen user experience. The MINI Intelligent Personal Assistant can be summoned with 'Hey MINI,' while the Head-Up Display, Harman Kardon sound system, and MINI Interaction Unit enhance high-end features include:Panoramic Glass RoofJCW Steering Wheel with Boost ModeElectric Seats with Memory & Active SupportWireless Charging TrayDigital Key PlusadvertisementWith fast charging support (130kW DC), the battery charges from 10–80% in 29 minutes, and a 100km top-up takes just 8 minutes. The 11kW AC home charger completes a full charge in 6 hour 15 minutes. Mini also includes an AC Wallbox Charger with installation, 8-year battery warranty, and 5 years of roadside terms of safety, these features are standard on the JCW Pack:Subscribe to Auto Today MagazineADAS Level 1 features like Lane Departure Warning, Collision Warning, and Reversing AssistantParking Assistant Plus with 360 cameraDynamic Stability Control, ABS, and front passenger airbags and side curtain assist, 3-point seat belts, crash censor, cornering brake control, rear view Camera, and tubeless tyres with tyre pressure indicator.
Hindustan Times
28-05-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Planning to buy the i7? BMW has something interesting for you
The BMW i7 eDrive50's ex-showroom cost now includes registration and GST charges, making it more accessible for customers. Check Offers In a special incentive for customers of its flagship electric luxury sedan, BMW India has announced it will pay for the registration cost of the i7. The BMW i7 eDrive50 is priced at ₹ 2.05 crore, and the ex-showroom price now includes the registration and GST charges as well. The move will help make the i7 more accessible and attractive to interested customers, against its closest rival, the Mercedes-Benz EQS. BMW i7 ex-showroom price now includes registration & GST cost The new price, inclusive of registration and GST (incl. compensation cess) on the BMW i7, is applicable across all dealerships, the company said. However, the price excludes Tax Collected at Source (TCS), as well as other local taxied levied, and insurance. Speaking about the announcement, Vikram Pawah, President and CEO, BMW Group India, said," BMW India has always looked at electric mobility as a holistic concept. We are the pioneers and leaders in the luxury electric mobility space with a novel approach to electric products and services. The introduction of a uniform price for the customers of BMW i7 will ensure price parity for our valuable customers, regardless of which location they want to register their vehicle in. With this innovative offer, our focus is on customer centricity and encouraging the adoption of electric mobility with added benefits. As the vehicle of choice of leaders and luminaries with next-level style and substance, the i7 will continue to shape forwardism in every way." BMW i7: Features The BMW i7 is the electric equivalent of the 7 Series, the brand's flagship sedan. The model comes with the same striking design language, with the massive illuminated grille and BMW Crystal lights. The cabin features a curved display with the BMW Live Cockpit Professional includes a freestanding BMW Curved Display. There's also the BMW Interaction Bar and the Rear Seat Entertainment Experience with BMW Theatre Screen. The model also gets multifunction seats with a massage function, active seat ventilation and a rear console. You also get a suite of driver assistance systems on the car. BMW i7: Specifications Powering the BMW i7 eDrive50 is a single electric motor with 443 bhp. The electric sedan is equipped with a 101.7 kWh battery pack and a claimed range of 603 km (WLTP) on a single charge. The battery takes about 10 hours and 45 minutes via an 11 kW AC charger. BMW will also sell you the i7 M70 xDrive variant with 641 bhp and 1015 Nm that sends power to all four wheels. The claimed range stands at 560 km on a single charge. Do note that the offer is only applicable to the eDrive50 variant. Check out Upcoming EV Cars in India. First Published Date: 28 May 2025, 09:28 AM IST
Business Standard
27-05-2025
- Automotive
- Business Standard
The BMW i7: The best of electrifying mobility now at a uniform price across the nation
VMPL Gurugram (Haryana) [India], May 27: BMW India has introduced a unique offer on its flagship electric limousine - the BMW i7 - for benefit of customers across the nation. The first-of-its-kind offer provides a uniform pricing for the BMW i7 regardless of the registration location. In the specially designed new pricing, the customers do not need to incur the registration cost for BMW i7, as such cost will be borne by BMW India and administered by the authorized dealership. Mr. Vikram Pawah, President and CEO, BMW Group India said," BMW India has always looked as electric mobility as a holistic concept. We are the pioneers and leaders in the luxury electric mobility space with a novel approach to electric products and services. The introduction of a uniform price for the customers of BMW i7 will ensure price parity for our valuable customers regardless of which location they want to register their vehicle in. With this innovative offer, our focus is on customer centricity and encouraging the adoption of electric mobility with added benefits. As the vehicle of choice of leaders and luminaries with next-level style and substance, the i7 will continue to shape forwardism in every way." The current ex-showroom price of the BMW i7 is INR 2,05,00,000. The offer exclusively on BMW i7 is valid through all authorised BMW dealerships in India. It is inclusive of registration charges and GST (incl. compensation cess) as applicable. It excludes Tax Collected at Source (TCS), other local tax cess levies and insurance. BMW i7 The first-ever BMW i7 is a true all-electric luxury sedan that clearly demonstrates how an exclusive driving experience can be combined with an unwavering commitment to sustainability. The i7 offers all-electric innovation, visionary design, and powerful driving dynamics that make a striking impression. It makes a visual statement by taking a considerable leap forward in terms of design and dimensions. The headlights are divided into two parts. At the top are the daytime running lights, complete with the BMW Crystal Headlights. Another distinguished feature is the strikingly illuminated BMW Iconic Glow kidney grille surround that lends an unmistakeable appearance. In the interior, the innovative BMW Interaction Bar defines the revolutionary cockpit design. BMW Live Cockpit Professional includes the freestanding BMW Curved Display with Navigation with real-time traffic information and augmented view. Unique and innovative features in the rear take comfort to a new level. A key feature here is Rear Seat Entertainment Experience with BMW Theatre Screen. The Executive Lounge Seating behind the front passenger reclines to 42.5 degrees, offering a true first-class experience thanks to multifunction seats, massage function, active seat ventilation and rear console. My Modes can be used to turn every journey into an individual experience by combining sound, light, temperature, suspension settings and seat functions to create a particular mood. BMW ConnectedDrive technology breaks the innovation barrier and turns the car into an interconnected digital device. It includes BMW ID, MyBMW App, Digital Key Plus, Emergency Call, Real-time Traffic Information, Remote Services, smartphone parking and Amazon Fire TV. The spread of Driver Assistance Systems is more extensive than ever and includes Cruise Control, Attentiveness Assistant, Parking Assistant Professional with remote parking via smartphone and Reversing Assistant, Steering and Lane Control Assistant. Fifth generation BMW eDrive technology in the BMW i7 eDrive50 features a highly integrated drive unit. The car instantly accelerates from 0 to 100 km/hr in 5.5 seconds. It produces an output of 449 hp and a maximum torque of 650 Nm. The car has a range of up to 603 kms (WLTP). If you have any queries, please contact: BMW Group India Richa Sharma, Press and Corporate Affairs Cell: +91 99100 22148; Email: Rohneet Naik, Press and Corporate Affairs Cell: +91 98999 65668; Email: Internet: Facebook: Twitter: YouTube: #BMW #BMWIndia #SheerDrivingPleasure
