BMW India launches M6 Gran Coupe, opens training centre in Gurgaon

Luxury carmaker BMW India has launched the first of its four new models, the M6 Gran Coupe, slated for rollout  in the Indian market during this year.

The M6 Gran Coupe had been showcased at the Auto Expo 2014 in February along with the i8 hybrid sports car that will also be launched later this year. More variants of the M6 Gran Coupe will follow during the year besides the X5 SUV. These will represent the carmaker’s M, X and i segments.

The M6 Gran Coupe, which was launched at the company’s new BMW Group Training Centre in Gurgaon, will be available at BMW dealerships across India as a CBU unit starting immediately.

Philip von Sahr, president, BMW Group India, said the company plans to increase its dealerships to 50 from the current 37 by end of 2015.

With a price tag of Rs 1.75 crore (ex-showroom Delhi), the M6 Gran Coupe, which is powered by the M-twin power turbo eight-cylinder petrol engine and 4.4-litre V8 engine, will be available in a petrol variant and adaptive LED headlights. A highlight is the roof made of carbon fibre reinforced plastic. The lightweight design provides superior torsional stiffness and reduces weight by 25kg compared to a conventional glass sunroof.

Meanwhile BMW inaugurated its first standalone Group training centre at Gurgaon. Built on 2.2 acres, it will provide sales and service as well as brand training to all BMW Group brands in the market.

Established with an investment of Rs 16 crore, the training centre is BMW India’s second such unit after the one located at its manufacturing facility at Chennai. In addition, the carmaker has a parts warehouse in Mumbai.

“The BMW training centre is an extension of BMW Group’s commitment to India. This training centre will allow us to provide intensive training in sales, service, parts and business systems to BMW Group India associates and our retail network to ensure that customers receive best in class pre- and post-sales ownership experience,” said Philip von Sahr.

The building houses eight training units for non-technical, technical and body training, a brand and customer institute, three conference rooms and an office area. The training centre will provide 18,000 training man days in a year with training to be available even for overseas associates. Certified trainers will be both Indian as well as drawn from BMW’s overseas locations. The training centre is energy efficient with natural lighting and is equipped with high-tech tools and equipment.

Photographs: Philipp von Sahr, president, BMW Group India, at the launch of the M6 Gran Coupe.

L-R: Joachim Geissler, VP - Dealer Qualification and Training, BMW Group, and Philipp von Sahr, president, BMW Group India, at the opening of the BMW Group Training Centre, Gurgaon.