General Motors is boosting exports from its plant in the western state of Gujarat as its increased capacity comes into use, a senior company official told Reuters on Monday.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
GM, which expects to sell 50,000 units in India in 2006, will start exports to neighbouring Sri Lanka by year-end, Ankush Arora, vice president of sales and marketing at the India office, told the news agency.
The company, which is increasing capacity at its Halol plant to 85,000 units from 60,000, will start with exports of about 25 Optra sedans and the newly-launched Aveo hatchback to Sri Lanka. It is currently looking for distributors in the island nation.
GM already exports 150 Optra and Aveo vehicles a year to Nepal and 75 units a year to Bangladesh, Arora told Reuters, adding: “We’re sure to see an increase in sales in these markets.”
GM, which also makes the multi-utility Tavera and Corsa and Corsa Sail in its Indian plant, is aiming for a 10% share of the fast-growing Indian market, the news agency noted in its report.
India has become a production hub for Asian-designed small cars in recent years. Large quantities of Indian-built Suzuki Alto and Hyundai Santro models are now shipped abroad each year.
