GM to launch five car models in China by 2011

Shanghai, February 4 (Gasgoo.com) GM China Group president said the company would roll out at least five all-new car models under the Buick and Chevrolet brands over the next two to three years to lure Chinese buyers back to its showroom.

Kevin Wale, president and managing director of the GM China, said that the new models are developed by Pan-Asia Technical Automotive Center and tailored specially for Chinese consumers.

More all-new or upgraded models of Wuling, Opel, Cadillac and Saab brands are also scheduled to come on stream within the next few years, he continued.

GM's China vehicle sales rose 6.1% in 2008 to 1.09 million vehicles, down sharply from 18.5% growth of the previous year as an economic downturn hit automobile demand.

Still, Wale said he expected China to remain as the world's fastest growing major market over the next decade and that vehicle sales in the country would remain steady in 2009.

The Chevrolet and Wuling brands saw the biggest growth in sales of GM China in 2008. A total of 199,155 China-made Chevrolet cars were sold last year, up 15.7% year on year, and 606,499 Wuling-brand vehicles were sold, up 17.4% y/y.