Following the historic India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), BMW has introduced a price protection program for Indian customers, who are interested in buying the Mini 3-Door Cooper S. Produced at the UK’s Oxford plant, this hot hatchback is set to benefit from the upcoming duty reductions under the FTA. BMW India’s assurance program guarantees that any future price cuts on the Mini 3-Door Cooper S will be passed on to customers, ensuring they reap the benefits of the reduced costs.
BMW India price protection scheme: What is it?
The price protection assurance program guarantees, that if prices drop in the next 180 days, the dealership will refund the difference between the original invoiced price and the new ex-showroom price, encouraging buyers to make immediate purchase decisions. To address customer concerns about potential price fluctuations of the Mini 3-Door Cooper S, BMW India President and CEO Vikram Pawah told PTI, “We’re assuring customers that if any changes occur within the next six months, we’ll protect their price.” He further added, “This will help in making customers make the buying decision immediately.”
Meanwhile, under the recently concluded FTA, automotive import tariffs will be reduced from over 100% to 10% within specified quotas. However, the duty-free quota for electric vehicles is limited to only a few thousand units, restricting the volume of EV imports exempt from tariffs. This quota system also applies to petrol and diesel vehicles, with gradual tariff reductions planned to protect domestic manufacturers while enhancing trade.
Pawah said while the government has announced that the negotiations of the India-UK FTA pact are final, the details are awaited, which has created uncertainty in the minds of customers looking to buy the Mini 3-Door Cooper S model, which is powered by a petrol engine.
“We have been getting calls from customers as to what the impact is because MINI 3-Door Cooper S is coming from the UK, what will happen, whether they should buy now or not,” he said.
Mini 3-Door Cooper S model: Price
The 3-Door Cooper S model is currently available at an ex-showroom price starting at Rs 44.9 lakh and is imported as a completely built-up unit. It attracts a basic customs duty of 70%. The Mini range registered sales of 150 units in Q1 2025 and 709 units in 2024 in India.
BMW Group India, however, said the other model of the new Mini family including the all-electric Mini Countryman is not covered under the offer. It is available in India as a completely built-up unit and is produced at BMW Group Plant Leipzig in Germany. The model is priced at Rs 54.9 lakh, ex-showroom.
In order to overcome this uncertainty, he said, “We are telling our customers if there is something to happen in the next six months we will protect your price.” Under the offer, if the price is reduced during this period, the respective dealership will refund the differential amount between the net invoiced price and the new ex-showroom price back to the customer.