The growing fuel prices around the world have increased the demand for fuel efficient hybrid cars. BMW now plans to launch hybrid cars in India in next 18-24 months. It is developing its hybrid car under Efficient Dynamics program and has already showcased its first model, Concept X6 Active Hybrid, at the Frankfurt Motor show 2007.

Honda has already launched the hybrid version of its model Civic in India and Mercedes is also planning to walk the similar path of introducing a CNG model. However, BMW could become the next luxury car maker to launch hybrid version of its cars in India.

“In the next 18 months the hybrid vehicle from BMW will make its international debut. There is a possibility that it could find its way to India,” says David Panton, BMW Senior Vice President, Asia Pacific (excluding China) and South Africa.

The company is already enthused by the sales of its luxury cars in India. It has revised its sales targets for 2008 by 40 percent to 2800 units out of which 2200 units shall be manufactured locally and remaining would be imported from Munich. The company has its assembly plant at Mahindra World City, near Chennai.