The entry-level products with premium badges like the BMW X1 and the Audi Q3 have been successful not only in India, but also in majority of the markets around the world. With the competition heating up in the luxury segment, it has come down to numbers game for the three German giants. Audi, BMW and Mercedes are all working on new entry-level mass market products, one which will do justice to the brand but still be affordable to more than a few bringing in additional revenue.
Audi has already confirmed the sedan based on the A3 hatchback, while Mercedes has finally started working on entry-level segments by recently launching the B-Class and announcing models like the CLA sedan and the GLA compact SUV. BMW on the other hand has been working on such products for a while, the X1 has been one of the best sellers for the world’s number one luxury car maker. The company has now confirmed its plans to build a sedan based on the 1 Series hatchback to blokes at Autonews.
The 1 Series sedan will compete with the Audi A3 sedan and Mercedes CLA, once launched in 2015. The prices of the new sedan are expected to be between Rs 18 to Rs 25 lakh, making it an apt product for India. However, BMW will have to make arrangement for CKD operations to bring this model to India with a competitive price tag.
For now, let us wait till Friday (27 July, 2012) to find out the prices of the all new BMW 3-Series sedan. We know that the car will be launched in five variants – four diesel and one petrol. Stay tuned, as we bring you more updates from the 3-Series launch ceremony in Mumbai.
