GM India to start exporting vehicles; Chile first market

General Motors India will begin exporting vehicles from India with Chile slated to be its first overseas market.

The company will initially export left-hand-drive Chevrolet Beat to Chile. The production of export vehicles will commence at the Talegaon Plant in the second half of 2014, with sales commencing in Chile in the first quarter of 2015, GM India said in a statement.

Commenting on the move, GM India President and Managing Director Arvind Saxena said: "The start of Beat exports underlines GM's commitment to India and demonstrates the quality of the country's growing supplier base."

He further said: "The exports will create more employment opportunities within GM India and the supplier community while helping improve capacity utilisation at the Talegaon Plant."

The company has been struggling to keep its sales momentum in the domestic market due to a slump in demand. In April the company's sales declined 35.30% to at 5,302 units as against 8,196 units sold in the corresponding month of previous year.

The compact car Beat is already built and sold in many markets around the world. It is available with petrol and diesel engines. The model was launched in India in 2010.