GM's China-made car import plans to be settled

Shanghai, May 13 (Gasgoo.com) GM China said yesterday that GM's plan to import vehicles made in China starting 2011 indicated that the Detroit automaker would rely more on Chinese joint ventures, though the plan is yet to be settled, the Shanghai Securities News reported on Wednesday.  

Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (Group) (SAIC), GM's Chinese partner, said it hasn't got such information from GM yet.

According to a confidential 12-page presentation to members of Congress on Monday, quoted by Automotive News, General Motors plans on selling about 17,300 China-made vehicles in the U.S. in 2011. The number is expected to blossom to 51,500 units by the year 2014.

The report suggests that the China-made vehicles will be small cars similar to the upcoming Chevrolet Spark. It also expects to see annual imports from South Korea to the United States jumping from 36,967 units to 157,126 in 2014.

However, the import plans could change in the coming months, pending forthcoming negotiations with the UAW.

GM has continued to see some of its greatest success in China. Its April sales in China hit a record high of 151,084 vehicles, driven by demand for Buicks and minivans produced in cooperation with local auto maker Wuling, it said.

A Chevrolet Spark displayed at 2009 Shanghai Auto Show