General Motors may use its Chinese associations to launch a rival for Tata Nano in India, a top company executive told ET.
"We will look at every market segment and I wouldn't rule out anything," said Timothy E Lee, president, GM International Operations, when asked about competing in India's new entry-level segment.
The US carmaker believes its joint venture with Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC), one of the top three automakers in China, will help it introduce a car to compete with the world's cheapest car at Rs 1 lakh.
GM's small cars already in India such as Chevrolet Beat, Spark and Aveo are designed in South Korea, at erstwhile Daewoo Motors.
"When you harvest from your partnerships the collective wisdom of other cultures, it's incredible what you can do," Mr Lee said.
This marks a u-turn in the US carmaker's earlier stand when its global officials indicated that they did not think the Nano segment was viable for the company.
But now GM bets on its China connection to break new grounds. SAIC has already acquired 50% stake in GM India.
The first products from General Motors' three-way joint venture in China with Wuling and SAIC will be introduced in India end 2011 when it will roll out two minivans — Wuling Rongguang and Sunshine. These will be built at GM India's Talegaon and Halol plants.
"The portfolio of GM, SAIC and SGMW will be looked at for India," said Mr Lee.
GM India now has access to the complete portfolio of GM, SAIC as well as the SAIC-GM-Wuling Automobile Company combine to be introduced in the country, said Mr Lee.
