The Hindu Business Line : General Motors chief Wagoner coming today

India plans
To launch mini-car Chevrolet Spark.
Build better relations with Government.
Boost consumer confidence, revive sagging sales.

Mr Rick Wagoner

New Delhi April 15 The General Motors Corporation Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Rick Wagoner's visit to India on Monday, on the heels of other high-profile visits this year by top automobile honchos, reinforces the country's growing importance in the global automobile market.

Just four months into 2007 has seen a string of visitors — in March-end BMW Chairman, Mr Norbert Reithofer, was here to inaugurate its Chennai plant. Early this month was the turn of Mr Carlos Ghosn, President and CEO of Renault-Nissan, who launched the `Logan' at the Mahindra-Renault plant in Nashik.

Mr Wagoner's visit a few weeks later is being seen as an exercise to build relations with the Government — he is slated to meet the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, and senior Government officials — besides building confidence among the Indian consumers.

He would also review General Motor's existing operations and future plans and mark the company's launch of the mini car Chevrolet Spark.

Mr Wagoner would be visiting the country after nine years since his first visit in 1998. According to analysts, his visit is part of GM's worldwide strategy to revive its flagging auto sales.

Commenting on Mr Wagoner's visit, Mr Rajeev Chaba, President and Managing Director, General Motors India, told Business Line, "India is a significant market for mini cars. Mr Wagoner would be here to reinforce the company's commitment to India and review operations here. His meeting with the PM would only be a courtesy visit and not targeted at any company specific project."

The company had recently announced its plans for a manufacturing facility at Talengaon near Pune.

On agenda

On Mr Wagoner's agenda is a visit to the company's R&D and engineering centre in Bangalore on Wednesday. He would also be meeting industry associations such as the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers, Confederation of Indian Industry, Automotive Components Manufacturers Association as well as the American Chamber of Commerce in India.

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