General Motors optimistic about investment and Beat diesel and Beat right hand drive (RWD) export

Car enthusiasts have a lot to look forward to during 2012 wherein General Motors India is concerned.  The auto giants who are in a joint venture with General Motor Corp and SAIC of China are on the threshold of launching exciting new cars both in the passenger vehicles, and commercial category.

2012 will be the year when new launches will take shape. Besides this, GM looks optimistic about Beat diesel exports. Emphasis is being laid on export of Beat right hand drives (RWD).  General Motors have big plans for their diesel variants considering the increased demand for diesel cars in India.  GM is planning to increase their diesel engine production three folds to about 3 lakh units per year.  $500 million investment plans would see the company increase production to 4.6 lakh units by 2013. In September 2011, GM sold 5261 units of the Chevrolet Beat small car (hatchback).

Karl Slym, Managing Director and President of General Motors India said that the company had noted a decrease of 15% in demand of petrol driven vehicles.  This has adversely affected GM sales in the Indian car market. A joint venture between GM and SAIC in December 2009 has boosted the company’s production output.  GM sales of diesel vehicles such as Captiva, Beat, Cruze and Tavera are making a steady progress, and the auto major has an aim to triple vehicle output in the next 3 years.