GM on expansion drive

Buoyed by strong growth in automobile industry, General Motors is set to expand its presence in the country and is planning to launch six new vehicles in the next two years.

“Indian automobile industry has posted a 26 per cent growth during the last financial year. To cash in on this boom, General Motors will introduce six new models by 2012 and expand our presence by increasing the number of sales points,” said P Balendran, vice president of General Motors, during an auto show organised by Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam) and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in Kolkata on Friday.

The products lined up include pickup, van, hatchback, notchback, small car and SUV. Till now, the company has invested over $ 1 billion in the Indian market and the new models products be introduced with the help of its Chinese partner Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC).

“Our capacity is 2,25,000 units. We want to increase the production in Baroda facility from 1,40,000 to 1,60,000 and that of Pune plant from 85,000 to 1,00000 units per year,” he said.

Balendran said Bengal is one of the most important markets for the automobile industry, as it is growing at above 25 per cent in passenger car segment.

The share of the state to the total sales of the country is 13 per cent.