SAIC personnel to join GM India team from April 1

Shanghai, March 31 (Gasgoo.com) Three months after General Motor and its China partner SAIC Motor signed a deal to form a 50:50 joint venture for the Indian market, personnel from the Chinese auto giant are expected to join the GM India team from April 1st, said India's TopNews.

According to sources, almost three people from SAIC, China's largest automaker, will be joining the GM India personnel, including a senior management member of SAIC. It is confirmed that the senior personnel member will not report to GM India's managing director Karl Slym but will be reporting to the directors of the JV.

SAIC has become a major shareholder of GM's Indian unit. This year, the SAIC-GM India will release high-volumes generator light commercial vehicles (LCVs) produced by the new joint venture, The LCVs may be intended to compete with the Maruti Suzuki Omni and Tata Ace in the Indian market.

Meanwhile, the electric version of GM's small car Spark will be launched in India by the end of this year. In addition, SAIC passenger cars will also be introduced to the Indian market. GM India plans to set up an exclusive distribution channel for these products under a new brand name.

In China, GM and SAIC operate Shanghai GM, a 50-50 passenger vehicle-making joint venture, and SAIC-GM-Wuling, a mini-van venture. With their India joint venture formed, both auto giants have started expanding their cooperation beyond the Chinese market.