GM India to export cars to Mexico from next month

General Motors on Tuesday said that vehicle shipments from its India-based plants to Mexico will commence next month and sales there will begin in December, 2015.

"In keeping with our commitment to the "Make in India" program, we are proud to produce exciting Chevrolet vehicles for the Mexican market," said Arvind Saxena, president and managing director of GM India.

Saxena was speaking at the roll-out ceremony of the first Chevrolet Beat manufactured at the company's Talegaon facility in Maharashtra which will be shipped out to Mexico -- GM India's second major export market.

"Exports will be an important and ever-growing part of our business. This is part of GM's strategy to make India a global export hub," he added.

The Chevrolet Beat is available in more than 70 markets around the world, primarily as the Chevrolet Spark. Chevrolet has sold more than 1 million Sparks and Beats worldwide.

GM India began vehicle exports to Chile from its Talegaon facility in September 2014. It exported 1,000 vehicles last year and is targeting exports of 19,000 vehicles this year, the company said.

"We are looking to identify additional export markets," said Saxena. "This will help drive capacity utilization at our Talegaon facility."

During her recent visit to India, GM's chief executive Mary Barra announced $1 billion in new investment in the market, including exports.

The Talegaon facility, which currently has a production capacity of 130,000 vehicles annually, will increase its base capacity to 220,000 vehicles by 2025.

It will also become a global export hub for GM, with up to 30 percent of its annual production planned for markets outside India.