GM India Report Record Sales

Riding high on the success of the popular Chevrolet brand, General Motors India has registered a record growth of 126 % in sales in February 2010, compared to the corresponding period last year. It sold 11,111 units in February 2010 against 4,921 units in February last year recording an all time high in monthly sales. This is the first time that the company has crossed ten thousand units sales in a month since the inception of the company in India in 1996.

The Febuary 2010 sales comprise of 4431 units of Chevrolet Beat, 3412 units of Chevrolet Spark, 1592 units of Chevrolet Tavera, 726 units of Chevrolet Cruze, 420 units of Aveo, 411 units of Aveo U-VA, 98 units of Chevrolet Optra and 21 units of Chevrolet Captiva. The growth was primarily driven by the much sought after Chevrolet Beat and the Spark.

Commenting on the record performance, Mr. P Balendran, Vice-President, GM India said, “Introduction of best-in-segment cars from the 300 series, increase in customer outreach through distribution network, our unique value proposition like Chevrolet Cashless Ownership offer and our promise to deliver quality and performance are the factors that have led the impressive sales. This consistent sales growth demonstrates customer's belief and confidence in Chevrolet brand. We are pleased to see such robust growth for all our car lines and we believe these world class products will further propel the Chevrolet brand in the market", he said.

The company is now in the process of further ramping up its production by adding the third shift at its Halol plant and second shift at Talegaon plant to meet the increased demand of its products. The company is also rapidly expanding its sales and service network to support the market demand of its cars. It intends to take the network to 300 sales points and an equal number of authorized service outlets by the end of this year from the current 206 sales points and 200 authorised service outlets across the country.

2011 Chevrolet Aveo U-VA

These are the very first images of the 2011 Chevrolet Aveo U-VA that will surely make it to our shores. The Aveo looks like the best interpretation of Chevrolet’s new design language so far. In fact it looks much more sophisticated that the Beat and the Cruze.



The interim facelifted Aveo U-VA didn’t make it to India. We believe that was a good move by GM as internationally the facelift did more harm than good to the U-VA’s image.

Going by GM India’s frightening (for its rivals) pricing strategy for the Beat, the competition has good reason to be scared. Expect the car to come with modern petrol as well as diesel powerplants and follow in the footsteps of the Aveo sedan after a gap of a couple of months. Stay tuned for more juice on this car.

 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

GM to build own electric engines from 2013

One does not need an MBA degree to understand that 'Tough times call for tough measures'. To excel during tough times one also needs to indulge in cost-cutting. General Motors, which is currently going through 'tough times' intends to do that by developing their vehicular components in-house rather than sourcing them from others.

General Motors has officially announced that it will be manufacturing electric motors for hybrid vehicles in house from 2013. The American automotive marquee is currently sourcing the engines from various suppliers. The decision to self manufacture the electric engines has been taken to improve their quality, reliability and reduce the costs involved in making them. The manufacturer intends to invest to around $246 million for the purpose. As of now GM has not announced which manufacturing facility will be utilized for building their electric engines. The manufacturer intends to launch a hybrid vehicle in 2013 which will be powered its own electric engines.
During a conference call with reporters, Pete Savagian, Engineering Director for electric and hybrid vehicles, said that the company needs to not only buy the parts but also to really understand them. He also revealed that GM had started work on developing an electric engine in 2003 and will shortly become the first American manufacturer to build its own electric engines. The manufacturer has some prior experience in building these engines. It had developed one to power its electric car EV1 in the mid-90's. In fact, the engineers which had earlier worked on that project have been roped in for developing their new electric engines.

GM India to showcase 6 vehicles

General Motors India will display six productiona and concept vehicles at the upcoming Auto Expo to be held at Pragati Maidan between 5th and 11th of January, 2010. The six cars which will be showcased includes the Hybrid Option Volt, the Sports Car Chevrolet Camaro, WTCC Cruze, Captiva Extreme, Spark Electric and Aveo CNG. GM's latest entry, the Chevrolet Beat and some of the existing models like the Chevrolet Cruze, Tavera, Optra, Aveo U-UA and the Spark will also join in, with the new models at the ramp.

Commenting on the display of vehicles, Mr. P. Balendran, Vice President, General Motors India said, "The Auto Expo in Delhi is the most ideal platform in India to highlight our new product range that will showcase GM’s technological advancement and innovation. The theme of our stall entitled "Inspiration to advance" will have Chevrolet brand of vehicles displayed under three categories like Performance series, Mini series and the Green series. The recently launched Chevrolet Cruze, Optra Magnum, alongside a special preview of the Captiva Extreme will set the tone, with their inspirational technology, which has been modified to suit the Indian roads. The World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) Cruze will also be something to look forward to. The research and the technical knowhow exhibited through the demonstration of Cruze and beat engines at the stall alongside the vehicles will connote the brands promise to deliver world class service inspired by technology.

 Making the green statement will be the Chevrolet Volt, Chevrolet Spark- LPG, all new Aveo CNG and Spark Electric prototype which is scheduled to make its commercial launch later this year. The Chevrolet Volt is an electric vehicle with extended-range capability. It is designed to drive up to 40 miles on electricity without using gasoline or producing tail-pipe emissions. Also on display would be the fun, efficient and the 21st century sports car- The Chevrolet Camaro, which has recently been launched globally.

GM wants India to drive volumes

General Motors is planning to grab a larger pie of the Indian car market by expanding its product portfolio and entering new sgments. The American auto major has recently launched it's new saloon Cruze at a competetive price which is also the only diesel powered car in its segment. It is just weeks away from unveiling its small car for India- 'Chevrolet Beat'. The company has also stated earlier that it looking into the possibility of entering the light commercial vehicle segment by launching a few products from its Chinese partner Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation's (SAIC) stables.



According to Karl Slym, President, GM India, the company is expecting to end 2009 with sales of around 70,000 units. Revealing the company's future strategy, he said that they expect to cross sales of one lakh units in 2010 while their target is to cross 2 lakh units in 2012.



General Motors has its eyes set on India to help itself successfully recover from the economic slowdown. The company is expecting India and China whose markets are still growing to drive up volumes. Owing to its tie-up with SAIC, GM is in a comfortable position in China and wants to concentrate on India. Well, as long as GM launches good cars people will buy them increasing sales. Otherwise the manufacturer will remain in its current state. Best of Luck GM!

GM India to launch Chinese cars?

General Motors (GM) is currently in an advanced stage of talks with its partners in China regarding a plan to launch their cars in India. In fact, GM had initiated talks with its China based partners Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp (SAIC) and Wuling around eight months earlier. The above mentioned companies have a three-way tie-up with GM in China called as SAIC-GM-Wuling Automobile Co.


According to Karl Slym, President and Managing Director, GM India, now the company knows what can work in India and what cannot. He further added that they are currently at a point from where they will be able to make a decision very soon.

SAIC-GM-Wuling Automobile Co currently sells passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, small trucks and the Chevrolet Spark small car. Karl Slym also said that they also would be very successful if GM can adapt them through their engineering centre into India.

Electric Spark from GM & Reva

General Motors and Reva are holding hands together to deliver an Electric powered Spark within a year.

Reva has been the leading company manufacturing pure electric cars, while industry leading Toyota and Honda already have hybrid cars. Although hybrid cars were launched in India about a year ago, they havent been a huge success.

GM Sells HUMMER To Chinese Auto Maker

General motors has come into an agreement with a small chinese heavy machinery maker to sell the brand Hummer. Last time another Chinese auto major grabbed Rover from UK. China being one of the fastest growing countries has now stepped up to take Hummer.

Hummer seen as one of the gas guzzling SUV's has been hit hard on sales since its high in 2006.