Taking the concept of Make in India a step ahead, BMW yesterday at a press meet announced increased level of localisation at the BMW Chennai plant upto 50 per cent. Gracing the occasion were Mr Philipp von Sahr, President BMW Group India, Mr Robert Frittrang, Managing Director, BMW Plant Chennai and Mr Sachin Tendulkar.
The occasion was made unique with Sachin making a BMW 5 series (a 520d) with the highly trained staff of the plant. The plant, which had started operations on March 29, 2007, locally assembles eight car models from the two assembly lines which include the BMW 1 Series, the BMW 3 Series, the BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo, the BMW 5 Series, the BMW 7 Series, the BMW X1, the BMW X3 and the BMW X5.
Showing their commitment to the Indian car market, the company has started using locally sourced parts which will also help in pulling down the production costs. Some of the major auto components sourced for local production of cars at BMW Plant Chennai are:
- Engine and Transmission from Force Motors
- Axles from ZF Hero Chassis
- Door Panels and Wiring Harness from Draexlmaier India
- Exhaust Systems from Tenneco Automotive India
- Heating, Ventilating, Air-conditioning and Cooling Modules from Valeo India and Mahle Behr
- Seats from Lear India
BMW, at the event, also announced that they have increased investment here from Rs 3.9 billion to Rs 4.9 billion.
Here is look of the master blaster making a BMW!
