GM’s India plan: 3 LCV variants in 2011,compact car in ’12

General Motors India will foray into the light commercial vehicle (LCV) segment in the country next year with three LCV variants besides another compact car in 2012 as part of its joint venture with Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC). The company will also start production of petrol engines in the mid-fourth quarter of this year from its powertrain facility in Talegaon.

Speaking on the sidelines of the launch of its new car Beat in the city on Wednesday,Karl Slym,president and managing director of GM India said the commercial vehicles would be manufactured at the Hallol plant. The production of all passenger cars,except Tavera,would be shifted to the Talegaon plant. “We are planning to sell the commercial vehicles under a new brand in India. All the passenger vehicles will be sold under Chevrolet brand. We see space for us in the high-volume light commercial vehicle segment in the country. It will be different sales and distribution network for the commercial vehicles.”

He said the production of petrol engines would be followed by diesel engines and the company would manufacture 1.6 lakh units in the first phase. “We successfully tested the 1.2-litre petrol engine in Beat in December. By 2011,we are planning to manufacture three lakh units.”

Slym said the electric version of Spark would be launched by the end of this year. “The government should come up with incentives. Awareness should also be created about the vehicle. In the first year,we estimate a sale of about 5,000 units.”

The company will also export Beat to markets in Europe and Asia Pacific after a year of production. “According to the plan,20 per cent of the total production will be exported.”

P Balendran,vice-president,GM India,said,“The Beat comes in three trim levels of 1.2,1.2LS and 1.2LT.  In addition,an Option pack is available on the LT variant.”