BMW gets Sachin Tendulkar to #MakeinIndia and announces upto 50% increased localization at the Chennai plant

Chennai, 7 May 2015: Celebrating the Indian government’s #MakeinIndia initiative, BMW has further strengthened its commitment towards the Indian market. The company announced the increased level of localization at their Chennai plant by upto 50 percent through a unique event, that saw cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar join BMW engineers at the assembly lines to assemble a BMW 5 Series using parts from Indian auto component suppliers.

It is well known that Tendulkar is an avid BMW enthusiast and apart from being the brand ambassador, he has been personally driving BMW cars since a very long time. But making a BMW with his own hands was a unique experience for the sportsman.

The BMW Plant in Chennai has the same exacting standards as any of the BMW production and assembly facilities worldwide. It has two assembly lines and upto eight car models can be locally produced here. Presently, the BMW 1 Series, the BMW 3 Series, the BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo, the BMW 5 Series, the BMW 7 Series, the BMW X1, the BMW X3 and the BMW X5 are locally produced.

With a strong portfolio of locally produced cars, it seems to be the right time for BMW India to partner with Indian auto component suppliers for cost optimization and value addition, creating more business opportunities and profitability for suppliers as well. Currently BMW India is sourcing Engine and Transmission from Force Motors; Axles from ZF Hero Chassis; Door Panels and Wiring Harness from Draexlmaier India; Exhaust Systems from Tenneco Automotive India; Heating, Ventilating, Air-conditioning and Cooling Modules from Valeo India and Mahle Behr and Seats from Lear India.

Here are some images of #SachinMakingBMW.