General Motors India this week inaugurated its 3S Aras Chevrolet dealership in Kanyakumari taking overall tally here to 20 sales outlets and 21 service facilities. GM India now operates 245 sales points and 270 service outlets. Arvind Saxena, President and Managing Director, GM India said Aras Chevrolet facility will be headed by Suresh K.
General Motors India has in fact been in India for longer than a large number of newer entrants. But that hasn’t culminated in creating a brand that posts considerable sales. In fact, the last time General Motors India sold at least 5000 cars in India, it was June 2014. For the most part, average monthly sales for GM in India has averaged just over 4000 units per month.
In September 2014, GM CEO Mary Barra and senior officials visited India. She rolled out the first LHD Chevrolet Beat for export. In recent years, India has been projected as an export hub with even newer players choosing to export from India. Having begun operation back in 1996, General Motors took a mighty long time to decide on exports. GM sells only Chevrolet vehicles here.
Efforts are now concentrated on cutting losses. Exports will be a new focus area. Exports began with 140 units of left hand drive Chevrolet Beat to Chile in September 2014. In all, 984 units were exported to Chile. For 2015, export target is set at 19,000 units to over 30 plus countries. In the domestic front, General Motors India will launch the Chevrolet Trailblazer SUV (import as CBU from Thailand) here in 2015.
In 2016, Chevrolet Spin MPV will be launched in India, and will be manufactured here. Beat and Spark export target for 2016 is set at 40,000 units. Chevrolet looks to improve its lot in India with its new vehicle launches and increased exports. The auto manufacturer launched an all new vehicle back in May 2013, the Enjoy MPV. In keeping pace, refreshed models of existing vehicles will be introduced.
