Spotting a BMW on the roads of Kathmandu was a very joyful occasion as a car enthusiast but a rare one. Then in the autumn of 2020, we started seeing brand new ones passing by quite frequently in Kathmandu. Seeing one in a picture, video or configurator does not do any justice to the proportion of these cars. Irrespective of whether it’s new or old, seeing a BMW on the road will always get our attention.

Prabodh Shrestha, Sales – Head, BMW Nepal, tells us the project was delayed by the lockdown due to the pandemic. Originally planned to be launched in mid-2020, Laxmi Premium were only able to bring their first car in March and start delivering the ordered vehicles in September of 2020 and they launched the dealership in December last year. To add to the excitement of importing premium vehicles in the country, the first car that arrived was a 7 series and everyone eagerly waiting for the car to get here was awestruck with the machine when they saw the flagship in flesh.

With over 30 cars on the road, BMW Nepal is very happy with its initiative because their customers, many of whom have become a part of the closer family, are extremely happy with their vehicles. Many of them spent no time taking these cars outside the Kathmandu valley to take full advantage and pleasure of the cars that claim to be all about Sheer Driving Pleasure.

Many of the plug-in hybrid customers have been driving their vehicles exclusively in electric mode with around 70km range and are very happy with this capability while it also gives them flexibility and additional range from a petrol powertrain. They say most of their customers have already made up their mind before they even come to the showroom about the car they want and have enjoyed the ownership so far. Previously spotted cars were from the early 2000s and mostly sedans as they were the go-to car at that time.

I was very keen to know if the previously rare sighted BMW customers had connected with the dealership or not and I’m happy to know that they have done so. These BMW owners who’ve had these vehicles for long before an official dealership came into the country have now found a place to order spare parts and service their vehicles in BMW authorized service center under trained personnel.

A second obstacle for the company came in the way of the Government of Nepal banning the import of vehicles over $50,000 international price. As there are many cars in the BMW range that cost or even start above that price ceiling, many customers had to wait longer to get their vehicles.

Despite the bumps in the road to providing premium vehicles to Nepali people with service and spares to not worry about, the dealership is really happy and like their vehicles, they have sailed over their obstacles and still stand strong. At this point, I felt like most of the people who were willing and able to buy these vehicles in the country would have already done so. And that brings up the question of how BMW would move forward? Mr Shrestha of BMW was very happy while telling us that they plan to import electric vehicles next, they already have potential customers coming to them and discussing the possibility of bringing the iX3 and iX in Nepal. At the same time, BMW itself is working hard to expand its portfolio of electric vehicles so a dealership will obviously benefit from that move.

There has always been a market for premium cars in the country which was filled with different ways of importing and owning them but buying them is a very small part of the journey. While living with it, having a certified place to maintain and fix them is a very important part of the ownership. And with the movement towards electric cars, having a dealership ready in the country already is a huge boost.

All in all, the entry of the BMW marquee has breathed new life into the Nepalese auto industry. As we look forward to the new models that will eventually make their way into our roads, we want to congratulate Laxmi Premium on the completion of their first year. Thank you for bringing BMW Cars to Nepal.

Laxmi Premium Motors partnered with BMW Asia and BMW Bangladesh to open the doors of a new 10,165 sq ft BMW dealership in Tinkune, Kathmandu. Partnering with BMW Asia and BMW Bangladesh, the official dealership now serves as a key touchpoint for customers to engage with the brand throughout their car ownership journey.