GM India considering to build LCV on the new MPV platform

Back at the New Delhi Auto Expo, General Motors India presented two upcoming vehicles for the Indian market – the Sail and a Maruti Suzuki Ertiga rivaling MPV.

The Sail twins are almost on the cusp of hitting the Indian market. However, because of the intense focus on the Sail twins, the MPV has gotten a bit delayed.

BS Motoring reports GM India is considering the MPV platform in order to build various LCVs for the Indian market. The LCV segment is showing a good double digit growth in India. There are multiple competitors such the AshLey Dost, Tata Super Ace (inset), Mahindra Maxximo, etc.

GM India has always eyed the LCV segment in the domestic market. GM had invested about Rs 1,125 crore in developing two LCVs, together with partner Shanghai Automotive Industrial Corporation (SAIC). The American automaker also increased manufacturing capacity at the Halol facility in Gujarat from 85,000 units to 1,10,000 units to support the LCV foray.

GM India is under intense pressure to boost volumes. The company’s sales fell 19.89 per cent to 36,030 units, compared to the year-ago period. Thus, the automaker is revamping its entire portfolio to gain some traction in the market. The company has already facelifted the Captiva, Tavera and Cruze. Next in line will be the Chevrolet Spark hatchback.

The automaker will also launch three new models by the end of the financial year. The Sail hatchback will compete against the proven Swift and i20. The Sail sedan will take on Ford Fiesta Classic, Tata Manza and the likes. The Enjoy will compete against the likes of Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, Mahindra Quanto, Toyota Innova and Nissan Evalia.

That’s not all. Together with SAIC, GM India will launch 5 new models to achieve the aim of 3,00,000 annual cars sales by 2013.

[Source: bsmotoring.com]