GM may bring mini vans, trucks

General Motors' is studying the Indian market for launching mini trucks and mini vans that it currently sells in China through a local joint venture. "We are looking at opportunities with Wuling to bring these products to other markets, including India. However, it is at a preliminary stage," Jonathan Browning, global sales, service and marketing Head of GM, said.

SAIC-GM-Wuling a three-way tie-up among GM, SAIC Motor and Liuzhou Wuling Automobile manufactures a range of Wuling brand mini-trucks and minivans, including the popular sub one-tonne Wuling Sunshine minivan. GM holds 34% stake in the JV. The mini truck and van category is one of the fastest-growing auto segments in India and has been booming, especially after the launch of Tata's Ace.

Browning was here for rolling out a special edition of GM's Spark hatchback called 'Muzic', priced at Rs 3.27 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). The company has plans to drive in India the 'Cruze' sedan and a new mini car later this year.

Browning said India is one of the key markets for GM globally. "Even though we may have limited volumes here currently, these are expected to grow rapidly in the coming years with the expansion of the market," he said. The company, which sold around 65,000 units in 2008, hopes to more than treble this over the next five years.

"We expect the Indian car market to touch around three million units in the next five years. In the same time, we expect GM India's sales to grow to 200,000 units," he said.

Chevrolet is the driver brand for GM cars in India and Browning said there were no immediate plans to bring any other GM brand to India. "We are very focussed on Chevy and have developed our dealer and marketing operations towards this," he said.

GM expects India to emerge among the top five markets for the Chevy brand by 2014. "India, with its robust economy, is one of the fastest growing markets for automobiles. Going forward, India can be one of the top five Chevrolet markets globally in the next five years," he said.

Views:0