BMW Group India, which registered its best-ever calendar year-to-date sales in CY2023, continues to see its two-wheeler arm – BMW Motorrad India – maintain the strong momentum it has delivered since the past few years.
With a record 8,768 two-wheelers sold in CY2023, YoY growth for BMW Motorrad India was 20.40% (CY2022: 7,282 units). It’s a performance which reflects the sustained strong demand for its wide range of motorcycles particularly the 310cc series it produces in association with TVS Motor Co, from the Indian manufacturer’s Hosur factory in Tamil Nadu.
As per the company, the sub-500cc segment G 310 models – the BMW G 310 R, G 310 RR and G 310 GS motorcycles – registered impressive growth of 19% (CY2022: 6,554 units estimated) and maintained a share of 88% in overall sales. Meanwhile, BMW Motorrad India’s core bikes available as completely built-up units (CBUs) saw a growth of +33% and are gaining popularity amongst biking aficionados. Among the core models, growth was determined primarily by the high-end GS adventure and RR sports segment (S 1000 RR, M1000 RR). The M 1000 R is also drawing new buyers.
BMW Motorrad India sold a record 8,768 units in CY2023, a YoY growth of 20 percent. Estimated sales of the three G 310 series motorcycles also hit a new high with over 7,700 units sold last year.
India market sales cross 28,000 units, GS 310 series surpasses 24,500 units
From end-CY2017, when it began operations in the country and end-CY2023, BMW Motorrad India has sold a total of 28,646 two-wheelers (see sales data table above). The G 310 series, which kicked off with the G310 R and G310 S launched on July 18, 2018, marked the German bikemaker’s entry into India’s growing midsize motorcycle market, and within that the premium segment. They continue to be the most affordable models from the German manufacturer and the entry point to the BMW Motorrad world. The G310 RR, launched in 2022, helped accelerate demand for this trio.
L-R: The G310 Series comprising the G310 Roadster (starting from Rs 290,000), G310 RR (Rs 305,000) and G310 GS (Rs 330,000) accounted for 88% of BMW Motorrad India’s sales of 8,768 units in 2023.
On October 6, 2023, BMW Motorrad India celebrated 10 years of partnership with TVS Motor Co with the rollout of the 150,000th 310cc series motorcycle from TVS’ Hosur plant. Together, the two companies have developed and launched five motorcycles – the BMW G 310 R, 310 GS, G310 RR and TVS’ flagship motorcycles, TVS Apache RR 310 and the recently launched Apache RTR 310.
The BMW-TVS partnership now also extends to EVs. Given the growing transition from ICE mobility to electric mobility, BMW Motorrad and TVS have expanded their partnership. In early October 2023, the two OEMs commenced production of their first jointly designed, developed and industrialised EV – the BMW CE 02 scooter – at the TVS Hosur plant
A deep dive into BMW Motorrad India’s sales numbers for the past seven years reveals that a total of 28,646 units have been sold in the domestic market, of which the G 310 trio account for an estimated 24,673 units or 86% of total sales.
The rising consumer demand for premium midsize bikes is reflected in India’s increased contribution to BMW Motorrad’s global sales over the past 6 years.
Global sales scale a new high: 209,257 units, India share doubles to over 4%
BMW Motorrad’s global sales in CY2023 were a record 209,257 motorcycles and scooters, 3.1% more than in CY2022 and marks the highest sales volume in the company’s history. Europe (116,012 units / up 4.7%), Asia (47,601 units / +1.6%). and Latin America in particular made a significant contribution with record sales figures. Germany and North America also contributed to the record result with strong sales. The market launch of popular new models such as the high-powered BMW M 1000 R or the touring enduro icon BMW R 1300 GS were among the key growth drivers in 2023.
With 116,012 (+4.7%) units sold, Europe as a whole remained by far the strongest sales region. Germany remained the strongest individual market with 24,176 units (+0.2%), followed by France (21,668 units /+2.1%), Italy (16,179 units / +3.3%) and Spain (12,716 units / +1.7%). Eastern Europe also contributed to BMW Motorrad’s overall European performance with sales of 6,000 units, a record increase of 105. % and more than double the previous year’s figure.
India, China, Brazil and Mexico,also made significant contributions to global sales. In Asia (47,061 units / +1.6%), both China (15,832 units / +2.8%) and India (8,768 units / +20.4%) achieved their best results to date. Brazil, with record sales of 14,106 vehicles (+ 8.1 %), and Mexico (7,088 units / + 6.8%) also made a significant contribution to BMW Motorrad’s record result.
Research of its India market sales over the past seven years (see data table above) since BMW Motorrad’s entry reveals that the BMW Motorrad India’s contribution to its parent company’s global sales has increased sizeably, particularly in the past three years. In CY2023, sales in India (8,768 units) accounted for a 4.19% share of BMW Motorrad’s global sales of 209,257 units, up from the 3.58% in CY2022 and 2.67% in CY2021, reflecting the growing importance of the country in the German company’s global sales operation.
Commenting on the company’s global sales in CY2023, Markus Flasch, Head of BMW Motorrad said: “With a record result in our anniversary year, BMW Motorrad remains the world’s number one in the premium motorcycle and scooter segment and once again demonstrates the brand’s successful strategic orientation. Our market leadership in numerous segments is based on innovation leadership, our highly attractive product range and our strong brand. Based on these three main success factors, BMW Motorrad is ideally positioned and I am very confident about the year 2024.”
