Automotive News

Shanghai, May 31 (Gasgoo.com) General Motors India announced on May 27 that it will launch commercial vehicles and passenger cars from the product line-up of GM's Chinese partner SAIC Motor by the end of next year, India media reported.

In late 2009, GM formed a new investment company with SAIC and converted its Indian operations into a 50:50 joint venture with the Chinese auto giant. GM India has appointed on its board three members from SAIC and will also have nine Chinese executives for senior positions.

GM India, now the Indian venture between GM and SAIC, will be making a significant investment of 'millions of dollars' at its Halol plant in Gujarat to manufacture light commercial vehicles (LCVs) from SAIC's vehicle line-up, the announcement added.

The auto company in India will be launching the Light CVs by the end of 2011 or by early 2012 that will be followed by the launch of passenger cars, said Karl Slym, GM India President and Managing Director.

The SAIC passenger cars to be launched in the Indian market will be sold under the Chevrolet brand, while the branding of the SAIC LCVs is yet to be decided. GM India will export the LCVs to other markets.

GM India's Halol facility has a capacity to produce 85,000 units every year and it will remain same after introducing the LCVs from SAIC Motor.