General Motors India (GMI) hope its MPV and Sail models, developed by GM China’s joint venture with SAIC, will boost sales, especially in smaller ‘metros’ and smaller towns.
Lowell Paddock, recently arrived president and managing director at GMI, is counting on the strategy to help the company regain its lost position in India, according to the Hindustan Times.
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“There is no other car market like India with so much diversification across all ends and we are going to do everything to succeed here,” said Paddock.
“The idea is to maintain a strong presence (in India),” he said. “So, consumers can expect to see more family oriented products and vehicles that will cater to both the metros and the smaller cities and towns. The MPV is a step in that direction and will be launched later this year.”
The Sail is just a few months away, the report said.
“Our strategy is to have global cars and at the same time to expand the domestic portfolio here with focus on value-based products in the mass segment,” said Paddock.
General Motors India currently runs two shifts and has the flexibility to run three shifts if demand is there.
GMI has a 7% market share in the hatchback segment. It sold 111,510 units in 2011 compared with 63,300 the previous year.
Paddock is also keen on taking forward GMI’s joint venture with SAIC.
There are plans to sell small commercial vehicles as well as passenger cars.
