German luxury automaker BMW has launched the X1 Long Wheelbase (LWB) in India at an introductory price of Rs 49.9 lakh (ex-showroom), specifically targeting first-time buyers in the luxury segment. Locally manufactured at the BMW Group plant in Chennai, the X1 LWB is designed to offer enhanced rear legroom, extending a long-wheelbase strategy that currently contributes over 50 percent of the company’s total sales in the country. According to BMW Group India President and CEO Hardeep Singh Brar, more than half of X1 customers are first-time entrants into the luxury market, making this flagship SUV a pivotal entry point for brand growth. The launch comes amidst strong momentum for the carmaker, which reported a 17 percent overall sales growth after delivering over 9,000 vehicles in the first half of 2026, alongside a 78 percent surge in electric vehicle sales. Expanding its local manufacturing footprint further, BMW also unveiled the i5 long-wheelbase electric sedan, which will become the second electric BMW model produced at the Chennai plant when it hits the market in the coming weeks.
