General Motors India Study On For Lower Segment Vehicle

"We are looking at various options, including the off-road segment and the diesel car segment, and the study is being done by an in-house team," C K Birla, chairman, General Motors India, said at a function to mark the launch of Opel Astra model in the city.

General Motors India, which launched the Opel Astra petrol model a few months ago, is planning to launch the diesel version early next year, Birla said. The diesel model is being tested now.

"Our aim is to bring GM's latest manufacturing processes and human factors' practices in the country. GM intends to be the benchmark for advanced technologies and human factors' practices in the Indian automotive industry," said Aditya Vij, director sales, General Motors India.

The company has firm bookings of about 17,000 for its Opel Astra 4-door notchback model, powered by a 1.6-litre, four-cylinder engine with catalytic converter, Vij said.

"We have already delivered 150 Opel Astra vehicles between June 27 and September 25 this year," company officials said. The company plans to sell about 14,000 cars in the next financial year.

The company proposes to launch different versions of Opel Astra according to customer demand and preference, Vij said. Nearly 70 per cent of Opel Astra's components are to be sourced indigenously two years hence. At present, only 40 per cent of the components is indigenous.

The company hopes to double its number of dealers to 28 by December. The ex-factory price of Opel Astra is Rs 6.03 lakh, while the showroom price in Delhi is Rs 6.45 lakh and Rs 6.95 lakh in Mumbai.

According to company officials, the facility at Halol near Vadodara in Gujarat will have an initial capacity of 25,000 units a year (on a two-shift basis). The unit has been designed with a provision to produce up to 1,00,000 units annually on two shifts.

"We hope to more than double the company's turnover in the next financial year,