GM aims big for India; plans 7-8 new car models

Car maker General Motors India is planning to launch up to eight new models over the next five-six years in the country as it looks to increase its share in the domestic auto market.

The company is also considering to double the existing production capacity of the Talegaon plant in Maharashtra to roll out and meet the demand of its new models.

Besides, GM India is under discussion with parent General Motors' operations in other countries to export small diesel engines from here.

"Lots of new models are coming up for the Indian market. We are discussing about 7-8 models over the next 5-6 years," General Motors (GM) India Vice President (Manufacturing) Rakesh Mohan Sabbarwal told PTI.

He,

however, declined to share details such as whether these will be small cars or sedans or sports utility vehicles.

When asked about the company's production plans, Sabbarwal said: "We are currently in discussion for ramping up the capacity. In the second phase of expansion, the capacity of the Talegaon plant can be doubled, but nothing has been decided yet."

The 300-acre Talegaon plant currently has an installed production capacity of 140,000 units, while the Halol unit in Gujarat can roll out 85,000 units every year.

General Motors's Indian arm will be launching three cars by the end of this year.

The hatchback version of the Sail U-VA will be introduced by the end of this month or early November, to be followed by the sedan later in December. The multi-purpose vehicle Enjoy will be launched by the end of this year.