BMW India sales grow 14 per cent at 7,861 units in 2016

New Delhi: German luxury carmaker BMW sold 7,861 units in India last year, up 14 per cent as compared to total sales in 2015 even as rival Mercedes-Benz retained the top slot for the second year in a row by selling over 13,000 units.

The firm sold 7,500 BMW cars and 361 Mini units in 2016. "2016 has not been an easy year for the automotive industry and that applies equally to BMW Group India. During the course of the year, developments in the Indian economy and policy framework shook the mechanisms of the auto industry," BMW Group India President (Acting) Frank Schloeder said in a statement.

The company was faced with challenges no less than any other automobile manufacturer and was confronted with strong pressure from the beginning of the year, he added.

"Despite a challenging business environment, BMW Group India has increased sales and market share," Schloeder said. Mercedes-Benz India sold 13,231 units in 2016, marginally down from 13,502 units in 2015 when it toppled compatriot Audi to become the No 1 brand in the country.