BMW Group India has surged to the top of the luxury car retail charts in the first half of CY2026, overtaking its closest rival in a significant milestone for the company. The company sold a total of 9,075 vehicles  between January and June 2026, a 17 percent YoY increase.

In an interaction with Motoring Trends, Hardeep Brar, President & CEO, BMW Group India, attributed this success to a potent combination of new product launches and shifting consumer preferences towards electric vehicles amid global fuel price volatility.

“A couple of factors played very well for us. So firstly, we launched 11 new models and second thing, because of the West Asia crisis, an increase in fuel prices, a lot of narrative got shifted towards EVs; a lot of people are preferring to buy EVs versus diesel now,” said Brar.

The company’s aggressive product offensive has been central to its performance. With 11 models already launched in the H1 against the planned 25 product offensive for the year, BMW is capitalising on both traditional and emerging powertrains. Brar expressed strong confidence for the remainder of the year, noting an even more exciting pipeline ahead.

“So that gives us more confidence and EV story is only getting stronger with every passing day. I think we have reached an inflection point; people are really loving the EVs that we are introducing,” he remarked.

BMW’s EV penetration stands at an impressive 26 percent within the luxury segment, significantly ahead of the luxury average of around 14 percent and the broader industry’s 6 percent.

Brar highlighted that removing ‘BMW from the luxury equation drops the segment’s EV share to 8-9 percent, underscoring the brand’s leadership in electrification.’

Responding to the key factors driving EV adoption in the luxury space include near price parity between petrol and electric variants, ranges exceeding 500 km (with next-generation models targeting 800 km), and innovative customer assurances.

“EV customers have a lot of anxiety in terms of residual resale value. So, we have a program where we give an assured buyback to the customer that after three years you will get 60 percent of the value. And that is really playing and that is giving them confidence,” Brar explained.

MINI’s Remarkable Revival

On the other hand, the MINI brand has also delivered exceptional results. After selling approximately 730 units last year, BMW India launched the locally produced Countryman C last month at INR 4.75 million, passing on cost benefits to customers. The response was overwhelming, with 150 units sold in the first month alone.

“We are growing at almost 70 percent for MINI in H1 CY2026 and we want to double the volumes of 730 units last year and are looking at 1,500 units for MINI in CY2026,” Brar stated.

Localisation, Dealer Dynamics and Manufacturing Focus

On localisation, the company maintains an average of 50 percent, slightly higher for internal combustion engine (ICE) models than EVs, with ongoing efforts to deepen content in battery technology as more local players emerge.

Addressing dealer profitability concerns around EVs, which typically require less aftersales maintenance, Brar noted strong upfront margins due to high demand. “Dealer doesn’t lose any money on selling the new car. Whereas petrol and diesel have an oversupply and thus they are able to make far more money on the electric vehicle.”

He confirmed that discounting remains absent on EVs, with waiting periods stretching to three months owing to robust demand.

India’s rising importance in BMW’s global portfolio was a recurring theme. “India is one of the fastest-growing markets for BMW across the globe. This year, India is at No. 1 in terms of growth globally,” Brar said.

The company has moved into the global top 20 markets, prompting increased focus from headquarters.

Going forward, BMW Group India plans to produce 20,000 cars this year, up from 18,000 units last year, with ongoing investments in production lines and AI for efficiency. A significant INR 4 billion investment is earmarked for the retail network across CY2025–2027.

The second half of 2026, will see BMW Group India introduce 14 additional launches, including electric vehicles, sedans and SUVs, maintaining strong momentum.

Sharing his views on the sedan segment, Brar said that it continues to hold a robust 35 percent share of BMW’s sales, far above the industry’s 9-10 percent, reflecting enduring customer preference for the brand’s driving dynamics.

When asked about key challenges and opportunities, Brar outlined a balanced view.  “In terms of headwinds, forex is an issue because it is deteriorating. And with every one rupee deterioration, it impacts our bottom line by 1 percent.” He also flagged the risk of sudden shifts away from diesel potentially creating inventory challenges.

On the flip side, “The accelerating EV transition, rapidly growing demand from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, and continuous improvement in brand and customer experience becoming better with every passing day. So that I see as another very, very strong tailwind for us,” concluded Brar.

Despite broader manufacturing sector concerns around labour shortages, BMW reports no significant issues, thanks to proactive AI and automation initiatives.

Data source: Vahan

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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the Shaurya Vijay Yatra 2026 at the National War Memorial in New Delhi, marking the commencement of nationwide observances for Kargil Vijay Diwas. The 13-day expedition, organised by Jawa Yezdi Motorcycles, features 28 riders traversing a 1,900-kilometre route to the Kargil War Memorial in Dras, Ladakh. The group comprises serving and retired defence personnel alongside their families, united under the rallying cry of ‘One Ride, One Nation, One Salute’ to honour the bravery and ultimate sacrifices of the 1999 Kargil War heroes.

The motorcycle contingent is scheduled to pass through significant military landmarks including Chandimandir, Rezang La and the Leh War Memorials before its scheduled arrival on 26 July. A central element of the journey involves transporting an urn filled with sacred soil from the National War Memorial to Kargil, symbolising the enduring valour of India's warriors across generations. The riders will also pay personal tributes to Veer Naris, acknowledging the resilience of the war widows.

Senior military leadership, including Chief of Defence Staff General N S Raja Subramani and Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth, joined the Defence Minister at the ceremonial start, alongside veterans and senior officials. The presence of the National Cadet Corps underscored the event's focus on inspiring youth to remember the nation's gallant soldiers and embrace the core principles of duty and selfless service.

During his address, the Defence Minister commemorated the soldiers whose courage upheld the nation's honour, framing the Kargil victory as a testament to India's steadfast sovereignty. He specifically recalled the contributions of Param Vir Chakra recipients Captain Vikram Batra, Lieutenant Manoj Kumar Pandey and Subedar Majors Yogendra Singh Yadav and Sanjay Kumar. Initiated in 2021, this tribute ride has evolved into a cherished tradition, with each kilometre travelled serving as a poignant reminder that the nation's freedom is preserved by those who place their country above all else.

Anupam Thareja, Co-Founder, Classic Legends, said, "Shaurya Vijay Yatra is our way of remembering the heroes of Kargil and their families. We started this tribute with the belief that remembering their sacrifices and being grateful is a shared responsibility. Through this journey, we remain committed to keeping their memories alive for future generations. Alongside the Indian Army, we are honoured to undertake this tribute and pay homage to our bravehearts."

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Tata Motors, one of the leading automotive manufacturers, has shared an update on its Kaushalya Programme, an industry-led training initiative ahead of World Youth Skills Day.

The programme has enrolled more than 23,000 participants and achieved a 100 percent placement rate for over 5,000 graduates, including more than 50 international placements.

The initiative, launched in 2021, operates across manufacturing facilities in Pune, Jamshedpur, Lucknow, Pantnagar, Sanand and Dharwad. It provides a sponsored Diploma in Mechatronics through an earn-and-learn model. Participants receive training in areas such as automobile engineering, manufacturing technology, automation, IoT and Industry 4.0. Women account for 21 percent of the participants, with 25 percent of trainees from affirmative action categories.

Sitaram Kandi, Chief Human Resources Officer, Tata Motors, said, “India's manufacturing competitiveness and mobility ambitions will be shaped by the quality of its workforce. Through Kaushalya, we are investing in the next generation of skilled professionals by creating opportunities that combine technical education, industry exposure and real-world experience. The programme is helping young people build meaningful careers while strengthening the talent pipeline required for an increasingly advanced and technology-driven automotive industry. The strong placement outcomes achieved by our trainees demonstrate the effectiveness of industry-academia collaboration in creating skills that are relevant, employable and future-ready. We remain committed to expanding the programme's reach and empowering more young people to participate in India's growth story.”

Programme graduates have secured positions across the Tata ecosystem and at other companies, such as Tata Steel Downstream Products, Tata Advanced Systems, Zydus, JSW Greentech, Subros, Spinny and Wipro. About 50 graduates have also been placed at a Jaguar Land Rover facility in Nitra, Slovakia.

Anita Kende Bethekar, a programme trainee currently placed with Jaguar Land Rover, said, “Coming from a remote tribal village in Maharashtra, a global career in the automotive industry once felt beyond reach. Tata Motors’ Kaushalya programme equipped me with the skills, exposure and confidence to pursue opportunities I had never imagined. Today, I am proud to be the first girl from my village and neighbouring region to hold a passport and build a career with Jaguar Land Rover in Slovakia. This achievement is not just mine; it is a source of pride for my family, my community and every young girl who dares to dream beyond her circumstances.”

Soham Ravindra Manmode, a trainee placed with Tata Motors Customer Support, said, “Coming from a financially challenged family in a small town, building a career in the automotive industry once felt like a distant dream. Tata Motors’ Kaushalya Programme changed that by enabling me to learn, earn and gain real-world industry experience simultaneously. The skills, confidence and exposure I acquired through the programme helped me build a rewarding career with Tata Motors. Today, I take pride in supporting my family and contributing to India's automotive growth story.”

Tata Motors intends for the programme to produce more than 5,000 industry-ready trainees each year to support the manufacturing and automotive sectors.

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The Indian automotive sector recorded 20 deals worth USD 717 million in Q2 2026 according to the latest findings by Grant Thornton Bharat's Automotive Dealtracker.

While transaction volumes reached their lowest level since Q2 2023, deal values saw a marginal decline of 4 percent quarter-on-quarter. Excluding public market activity, the sector saw 18 Mergers & Acquisitions (M&As) and Private Equity / Venture Capital (PE/VC) transactions valued at USD 479 million.

M&A activity comprised five deals worth USD 138 million, with KPIT Technologies' USD 120 million acquisition of Cymotive Technologies representing the period's focus on software and cybersecurity. PE/VC activity included 13 deals worth USD 341 million, led by Rapido’s USD 240 million fundraise and JBM Ecolife Mobility’s USD 47 million investment.

Saket Mehra, Partner and Auto & EV Industry Leader, Grant Thornton Bharat, said, "While deal activity slowed during the quarter, investment remained focused on businesses driving the future of mobility. We are seeing continued interest in EVs, mobility platforms and automotive technologies, with investors becoming more selective and backing companies that have demonstrated scale, differentiated capabilities and a clear growth path. As the sector evolves, technology-led investments are expected to continue shaping deal activity."

The key findings from the report include: Mobility-as-a-Service accounted for USD 298 million of the total sector deal value. Electric vehicles represented 54 percent of PE transactions. Auto tech made up 87 percent of M&A value. The five largest PE deals represented 96 percent of the total PE value.

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Vijaybhoomi University and the Nettur Technical Training Foundation (NTTF) have introduced a training programme that allows employees at Tata Motors to earn university-recognised diplomas while working.

The initiative, marked by a convocation at Tata Motors’ Pimpri-Chinchwad plant, aligns with the National Education Policy 2020 by integrating vocational skills with higher education frameworks.

Under this partnership, NTTF Mechatronics programme graduates receive a Technical Diploma aligned with the National Higher Education Qualification Framework. Learners may subsequently progress to an Advanced Technical Diploma and a B.Tech in Mechatronics without leaving their jobs.

Sanjay Padode, President, Vijaybhoomi University, said, "A university should recognise learning wherever it genuinely happens. Many of these learners have developed advanced technical capability on the shopfloor through structured training and disciplined practice. Our role is to connect that learning with nationally recognised higher education so that they can continue to grow academically without stepping away from their careers."

Ravi Tennety, Managing Director, NTTF, said, "For more than 60-years, NTTF has prepared young people for careers in manufacturing and technology. This partnership gives our learners an opportunity to build on that foundation through formal higher education while continuing to contribute to industry. It creates new possibilities for lifelong learning."

Prof Ravikesh Srivastava, Vice Chancellor, Vijaybhoomi University, said, "India has spoken for many years about integrating skills, industry and higher education. What we are seeing today is one working model of how that integration can happen in practice. It is built on academic quality, industry relevance and learner mobility."

Sitaram Kandi, Chief Human Resources Officer, Tata Motors, said, "Manufacturing is changing rapidly, and so must the way we develop our people. Technical skills acquired on the shopfloor deserve opportunities for continuous academic progression, without requiring employees to step away from work. This collaboration between Tata Motors, NTTF and Vijaybhoomi University creates a pathway where learning, work and career advancement reinforce one another. It recognises that capability is built not only in classrooms but also through disciplined practice, problem-solving and real production environments. By enabling our employees and apprentices to earn nationally recognised university qualifications while continuing to contribute on the shopfloor, we are investing not only in individual growth but also in building a future-ready manufacturing workforce for India."

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