The world-class BMW 5 series motor vehicles have hit Bangladeshi market with an aim to tap the growing demand for luxury cars here.
The acclaimed automobile, a trademark product of German automaker Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, has been touted for its sporting and elegant looks as well as aesthetic designs and superior driving experience.
The state of the art motor vehicle was formally launched through a ceremony held at Radisson Water Garden hotel in the city on Monday night.
Commerce Minister Faruk Khan, German Ambassador in Bangladesh Holger Michael and Managing Director of BMW Group Asia Johannes Seibert were present at the event.
To begin with, the BMW 520d Sedan model of BMW 5 series will be available in the local showrooms from today, followed by 523i varieties in months to come, according to representatives of Executive Motors, the sole distributor of BMW vehicles in Bangladesh.
The new 520d models will be priced at Tk 1 crore 6 lakh in the local market.
“The introduction of the luxury brands like BMW 5 is a proof of the rising income level and growing economic capacity of Bangladesh”, Commerce Minister Faruk Khan told the launching ceremony.
“Despite global recession, Bangladesh posted a significant rise in its export last year and the country has been dubbed as ‘next eleven’ by the global pool of economists”.
Nevertheless, noting the sorry state of the road and communication infrastructure in the capital, the minister said, “The government is planning to build at least one elevated expressway and a number of flyovers adjoining various part of the capital within the next two to three years”.
Speaking on the occasion, Managing Director of BMW Group Asia Johannes Seibert said, “Bangladesh and the whole Asia-Pacific region has turned out to be a robust growing market for BMW vehicles in recent decades”.
“In China alone, German car sales went up by almost 40 percent last year”, Seibert added.
“Each year, we’re selling 50 to 100 units of BMW vehicles in Bangladesh market alone”, he said.
German Ambassador in Bangladesh Holger Michael said, “Soccer and automobile are the two integral parts of German culture and almost 70 percent of the German cars are exported, which are known worldwide for their quality and elegance”.
“In the recent months, we’ve seen a significant influx of prospective German investors in Bangladesh, which bears the testimony of growing economic relations between the two countries”.
With the longest wheelbase in the segment, a long and sleek engine compartment lid, short overhangs front and rear and a graceful roofline, the new BMW 5 Series Sedan stands out from competition, BMW officials said.
“Already, we’ve received booking for almost 20 such BMW 5 vehicles from Bangladesh customers,” Steibert said.
The latest BMW 5 Series Sedan, which is in its sixth generation, comes with a four-cylinder turbo diesel with an aluminium crankcase and common-rail direct injection. Average fuel consumption in the Eu5 test cycle is just 5.2 litres per 100 kilometres, while CO2 emission rate is 137g/km.
