BMW has started assembling electric cars in India, beginning with the iX1 Long Wheelbase (LWB), as part of its strategy to offer more competitively priced models in the country. The German automaker’s move marks India’s first right-hand drive market to receive the locally assembled iX1 LWB.
The company is believed to import semi-knocked-down kits from its BMW Brilliance joint venture plant in Tiexi, China, and conduct final assembly at its factory in Chennai.
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By assembling the iX1 LWB locally, BMW benefits from India’s lower customs duty of 15% on assembled vehicles, compared to the 110% levy on completely built-up imports.
The iX1 LWB, measuring 4,616 mm in length with a 2,800 mm wheelbase, is 116 mm longer than the standard iX1, offering more rear-seat space—a key preference for Indian customers.
The model is introduced in a new ‘eDrive20L’ variant, featuring a 150 kW front-mounted electric motor delivering 250 Nm of torque and accelerating from 0 to 100 kph in 8.6 seconds.
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A 64.8 kWh battery provides a claimed range of 531 km under the Modified Indian Driving Cycle (MIDC), with DC fast charging from 10% to 80% taking 32 minutes.
BMW has priced the iX1 LWB at an introductory 4.9 million Indian rupees ($58,800), significantly lower than the now-discontinued standard iX1, which was imported from Germany and carried a price tag of 6.69 million rupees ($80,300).
The price reduction is attributed to local assembly and the use of a more cost-effective single-motor setup instead of the dual-motor AWD system in the previous model.
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“Today, BMW has pioneered a disruption in the Indian premium automotive segment by launching the first-ever X1 Long Wheelbase All Electric,” said Vikram Pawah, President and CEO of BMW Group India. “As the first ‘Made in India’ EV from BMW, the X1 Long Wheelbase beckons a new era of innovation and excellence.”