BMW has begun local production of its flagship electric sedan, the i7, at its Chennai plant, making India only the second country after Germany to build the model. The move marks a significant expansion of the German automaker's manufacturing footprint in the country and underscores India's growing importance in BMW's global production network.
The new 7 Series has officially launched in India, and for the first time, the i7 is being assembled locally. Production of the i7 50 xDrive M Sport has already started in Chennai, while the more powerful i7 M70 xDrive remains a fully built-up import. The decision gives India an unusual distinction: it is not merely assembling a lower-volume electric model from imported kits, but building the i7 alongside the combustion-powered 7 Series.
BMW has priced the locally produced i7 50 xDrive M Sport at INR 1.95 crore, exactly the same as the new 740 M Sport. The i7 M70 xDrive sits considerably higher at INR 2.65 crore. Order books are already open for all three variants, with deliveries scheduled to begin next month.
With the Life Cycle Impulse introduced this week in India, BMW is discontinuing the 740d that was offered during the pre-LCI years. Plug-in hybrid variants such as the 750e and M760e are also missing from the lineup. The facelifted 7 Series brings local manufacturing of the electric model to India, where the Chennai plant now builds one of BMW's most technologically advanced and expensive models.
The i7's local production is a fitting development for BMW in India. The company has been manufacturing cars in the country for years, but bringing its flagship EV into local production demonstrates how important India has become for the German automaker. Germany may remain the heart of BMW's manufacturing operation, but India is increasingly becoming more than just another export market.
From what has been heard, production of the seventh-generation 7 Series is expected to continue through the early 2030s. Apart from the full-size luxury sedan with inline-six and electric powertrains, the Chennai plant also assembles a wide range of other models: the 2 Series, 3 Series, 5 Series, X1, iX1, X3, X5, and X7.
In 2025, the Chennai plant produced 16,380 vehicles, up 12.4% from the previous year. The addition of the i7 to the local production line is likely to further boost output and reinforce BMW's commitment to the Indian market, where demand for luxury electric vehicles is growing.
The i7 sits at the very top of BMW's lineup, and its local assembly in India reflects the country's evolving role in the global automotive industry. Until now, Dingolfing was the i7's only production home. The facelifted 7er now brings local manufacturing of the electric model to India, giving the country a rather unusual distinction in BMW's global manufacturing network.