German automaker BMW will be launching new and upgraded 5-series models in the international markets soon. The company intends to bring these models to India as well. The latest refreshed models of 5-series will be launched to generate volumes for the company and to compete even more fiercely with its competitors like Audi and Mercedes.

BMW India is already the biggest luxury car maker in India and is still going strong. The new upgraded 5-series models from BMW will compete strongly with the new Mercedes E-class launched in India recently. "The refreshed 5 Series will be launched globally later this month and we intend to launch it in India within 2010. The price is yet to be decided for the India market," said Markus Schram, BMW Global Director (Marketing and Planning). "The main intention is to maintain momentum in the Indian market against our rival from Stuttgart (Mercedes) and Ingolstadt (Audi).", he stated further. Schram did not divulge details of the new variants to be launched but stated that they will make “Our portfolio strong.”

BMW sold 3619 units against 3247 units of Mercedes in 2009 thereby bagging the much coveted number one luxury car maker position in India. It also reported a global net profit of Rs. 1315 crores in 2009 against Rs. 2067 crores reported previous year. In 2010, BMW intends to grow its sales volumes in China, India and Brazil.