Date:22/06/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/06/22/stories/2005062202250200.htm

Back BMW may set up shop in Mahindra Industrial Park

M. Ramesh

Chennai , June 21

BMW is likely to set up shop near Chennai. The German car manufacturer, it is learnt, has agreed to take up 18 acres of land in the Mahindra Industrial Park, at Maraimalai Nagar, some 40 km south of Chennai.

BMW, whose stable includes Rolls-Royce brands, has been looking at various options across several States for locating its India plant. BMW's Chief Executive, Mr Helmut Panke, has in the recent past spoken of the company's desire to locate a plant in India.

A four-member team headed by senior manager Mr Wolfram Rehm visited the four southern States recently. Currently, BMW has three retail outlets, in Bangalore, Delhi and Mumbai, offering fully imported cars. Last year, BMW sold 122 imported cars in India. And now, according to sources, the company has zeroed in on Chennai for a plant to assemble kits imported into the country in either semi-knocked down or completely knocked down condition.