Jalopnik
When Indian carmaker Tata made international headlines with their $2,500 Tata Nano other automakers took notice. One of those automakers is BMW, which already has a growing sales operation in India. Wanting to get a slice of the small car market, the company is considering bringing over the Mini. The projected cost? No less than Rs.2 million, or $49,444. This would make it the most expensive small car in the country at a cost equivalent to 20 Nanos.
The company currently sells nearly a full line of BMW vehicles, including M products. Last year the company sold 1,387 units, including about 743 3-series. A feasibility report has been submitted and it'll be up to the company's management to decide whether or not the Mini will actually reach India. If it does we hope they remember to delete the Union Jack roof option. [Economic Times India]
Comments
They should just build the Minis in India with its own model that's stripped out of all the airbags and cupholders and carpets and all that...and sell it for 10k. I'd buy one!
Hmmm. One teeny BMW stick or a car-lot full of Tatas. That would be a tough sell for the Bavarians, methinks.
Buy the new Mahatma Mini and BMW will throw in a free Passive Agressive driving class.
Or 1.2 Hyundai Geneses. Thassa spicy kofta!
@OldeEnglishD: Uhg, got my Ghandi reference mixed up, should have been a joke about non-violent resistance.
49K? Sounds like they are following the Subaru pricing model.
Expect to see one carrying 18 very wealthy people and an extremely valuable ox on an Indian highway near you.
TATA
Yeah sure they tell you the car only costs $2500.00, but what they
don't tell about is the manditory blessing,
that's a whopping $35000.00!!!!
When did the Fed start freelance consulting with BMW?
silly Germans
Never underestimate the power of established western symbols of opulence in a rapidly growing post-colonial economy. Even though the ethnicity based caste system is no longer quite in style, it is a very easy transition to the economic caste system we all love to hate in the west. Whether you drive a MINI or a Nano is what will differentiate the haves from the have-barely enough. I've lived and worked in a few Asian and South Asian countries and can assure you that a BMW or Mercedes carries far more class capital than they do here.
Only in America. Wait, Britain. No, India... er, Germany? I hate globalization.
If I were an Indian dude, I'd score a nano and replace the engine with something faster and then whip some minis at the track.
Hmmmm...1 Mini or 20 Tatas? I'll take the Mini.
I predict Tata will quickly counter witha a 'Nano S' model featuring a contrasting roof and some bonnet stripes, perhaps even a mail slot on teh front. Some upgraded 9" wheels too... all for $2699.98
Hummm a German made car with limey bloodlines, decked out in the Union Jack no less, being marketed at a premium price to a former brit colony.
This may just be bad karma.
@DoctorNine: Until Gemballa or Ruf get ahold of them.
Daimler should get the Smart Car to India. If priced at around $10-12,000 it will give the Nano a run for its money.
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