New Delhi: Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Wednesday highlighted the strength of Indian engineering and manufacturing during a visit to BMW Welt and the BMW manufacturing plant in Munich, Germany. The Congress MP explored several high-end automobiles and motorcycles, including a yet-to-be-launched BMW G450GS motorcycle that has been developed in collaboration with TVS Motor Company at its Hosur facility in Tamil Nadu.
Rahul Gandhi’s visit to the iconic BMW facility comes amid an ongoing political debate in India over manufacturing growth, industrial policy and employment generation. During the tour, he underlined the importance of production-led growth and expressed concern over what he described as a decline in India’s manufacturing sector.
Visit to BMW Welt and manufacturing plant
At BMW Welt and the adjoining BMW plant, Rahul Gandhi was given an up-close look at the German automaker’s advanced manufacturing processes and its latest range of vehicles. He explored several premium models, including high-performance M-series cars, electric vehicles such as the BMW iX3, luxury Rolls-Royce models, maxi scooters and the vintage BMW Isetta, a compact car inspired by Italian design.
Videos and photographs from the visit, shared on his social media accounts, showed Gandhi interacting with engineers, inspecting vehicles and even driving a BMW car within the facility. He also met several visitors of Indian origin and posed for photographs with them.
“India needs to start producing. Production is the key for the success of any country. Our manufacturing is declining, when it should actually be going up,” the Rae Bareli MP said in a video posted on Instagram, reiterating his long-standing emphasis on manufacturing as a driver of sustainable economic growth.
Spotlight on BMW G450GS developed with TVS
One of the key highlights of the visit was Rahul Gandhi’s interaction with the BMW G450GS motorcycle, which has been developed jointly by BMW Motorrad and TVS Motor Company. The motorcycle was engineered at TVS’s Hosur facility in Tamil Nadu and represents a significant example of collaboration between Indian and global manufacturers.
“Fantastic experience, and I was particularly excited to see that they have got a 450 cc bike. Good to see the Indian flag flying here,” Rahul Gandhi remarked while examining the motorcycle. The G450GS is yet to be launched in India and is expected to cater to the growing global demand for mid-capacity adventure motorcycles.
In a post on social media, Gandhi described the experience as a “proud moment” for Indian engineering. “A highlight was seeing TVS’s 450 cc motorcycle, developed in partnership with BMW. Proud moment to see Indian engineering on display,” he wrote.
BMW-TVS partnership and Indian manufacturing
The BMW-TVS partnership is not new. The two companies earlier collaborated on the TVS Apache RR 310, a sportbike manufactured by TVS in India and marketed globally under different branding. BMW sells its version as the BMW G 310 RR, while the TVS Apache RR 310 features slightly different tuning, performance output and track-focused accessories.
Both motorcycles are based on a shared 312 cc engine platform, demonstrating how Indian manufacturing facilities have evolved to meet global quality and performance benchmarks. The collaboration has often been cited as an example of how Indian companies can integrate into global value chains while retaining domestic manufacturing capabilities.
Rahul Gandhi used the example to argue that India needs to expand such ecosystems at scale. “Manufacturing is the backbone of strong economies. Sadly, in India, manufacturing is declining. For us to accelerate growth, we need to produce more, build meaningful manufacturing ecosystems, and create high-quality jobs at scale,” he said.
Political context and reactions
The visit has drawn attention back home, especially as it coincides with a crucial phase of the winter session of Parliament. The Bharatiya Janata Party has criticised Rahul Gandhi for being abroad during the session, while the Congress has defended his visit, saying it was planned in advance and focused on understanding global best practices in manufacturing.
Supporters within the Congress have argued that Gandhi’s remarks align with the party’s broader narrative on employment generation, industrial revival and inclusive growth. They have also highlighted his repeated emphasis on job creation through manufacturing rather than relying solely on services-led growth.
Rahul Gandhi’s engagement with motorcycles
Rahul Gandhi’s interest in motorcycles is not new. In recent months, he has been frequently seen riding bikes during political outreach programmes in India. During the “Voter Adhikar Yatra” in Bihar, a 1,300-km political march launched in August, Gandhi was seen riding motorcycles through districts such as Araria and Muzaffarpur.
He was often accompanied by large crowds of supporters and, on several occasions, rode alongside fellow leaders including Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav and his sister, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. These visuals were widely circulated on social media and projected as part of his attempt to connect with youth and working-class voters.
Conclusion
Rahul Gandhi’s visit to the BMW facility in Germany and his praise for the BMW-TVS collaboration have added a new dimension to the ongoing debate on India’s manufacturing future. By highlighting Indian engineering excellence on a global stage, he reiterated his argument that large-scale, high-quality manufacturing is essential for economic growth and job creation. While the political reactions continue back home, the visit has once again brought the spotlight on India’s potential to play a bigger role in global manufacturing networks.