BMW has officially commenced production of its all-electric flagship sedan, the i7, at its plant in Chennai, India. This move makes India the second country globally, after Germany, to manufacture the luxurious i7.
Local Production for Flagship EV
Previously, the BMW i7 was exclusively produced at the Dingolfing factory in Germany. The commencement of local manufacturing in India coincides with the launch of the 2027 model year 7 Series. The first model to roll off the production line is the 2027 BMW i7 50 xDrive, priced at 19.5 million Indian Rupees (approximately 1.372 million RMB). However, the high-performance variant, the i7 M70 xDrive, will continue to be imported as a completely built unit, with a price tag of 26.5 million Indian Rupees (approximately 1.864 million RMB).
Expanding EV Footprint in India
This development follows closely on the heels of BMW’s recent launch of the long-wheelbase i5 in India. The i5 is also locally produced at the Chennai facility, marking BMW’s first-ever purely electric model to be assembled in India. Currently, only the eDrive36L M Sport configuration is available, with an official guide price of 7.96 million Indian Rupees (approximately 560,000 RMB).
Strategic Pricing and Market Competitiveness
A significant advantage of local production in India is the ability to bypass substantial import duties on completely built vehicles. This strategic decision by BMW is expected to lower the retail prices of these electric models, thereby enhancing their competitiveness in the burgeoning Indian luxury electric vehicle market. By reducing costs and potentially offering more attractive pricing, BMW aims to capture a larger share of this rapidly growing segment.
The introduction of locally manufactured EVs like the i7 and i5 signifies BMW’s commitment to the Indian market and its alignment with the global shift towards electrification. The company’s investment in local production facilities underscores its long-term vision for sustainable mobility and its efforts to cater to the evolving demands of environmentally conscious consumers in India.
This expansion of BMW’s EV production capabilities in India is a notable step, reflecting the country’s growing importance as a manufacturing hub for the automotive industry and particularly for electric vehicles. As more premium EVs become locally manufactured, consumers can anticipate greater accessibility and potentially more competitive pricing, further accelerating the adoption of electric mobility in India.
