And what of the famed BMW, what special features does it bring to the Indian customer? “Well, the Indian customer is very emotional and wants the best technology, the latest models. So we have all that with features such as the run flex, which means that even if you have a puncture, you can drive your car more than 200km at 80kmph. You need to get home and call your dealer, who will arrive to fix the puncture. Also, the Indian models come with reinforced shock absorbers and a clearance that’s 18mm higher,” says Kronschnabl. He talks of BMW’s Flying Doctors, the specially trained German mechanics who will get onto a flight and problem shoot for you at any dealership in the country.
And what about the customers—are Indian car buyers very different from BMW’s other customers? “They have different colour preferences; Indians prefer lighter shades such as silver and white rather than the blacks and dark blues that sell more in European and American markets. Otherwise, Indian customers— like all our customers worldwide—are very demanding, but very enthusiastic too.”
CURRICULUM VITAE
Name: Peter Kronschnabl
Born: 12 June 1966 (Villingen, Germany)
Education:Military service at the Integrated NATO-Staff Department; International Business Management from Pforzheim University of Applied Sciences
Work Profile: Joined BMW AG in 1995. Has worked as general manager, market development in Asia, Pacific, Africa and Eastern Europe. Was made president of BMW India Pvt. Ltd in 2006
Favourite Cuisine: International. Favourite Indian food is aloo gobi and chicken tikka
Recently Read: ‘Family Matters’ by Rohinton Mistry
(Write to lounge@livemint.com)
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