The Hindu Business Line : GM to launch Chevrolet Captiva in January

Chennai, Nov. 20 General Motors India is all set to launch the Chevrolet Captiva, a global premium sports utility vehicle (SUV), in January next year. The attractive SUV with a seven-seat layout option will be imported in the completely built form from GMDAT (GM Daewoo Automotive Technology) Korea, where the vehicle is sold as the Daewoo Winstrom.

The Captiva is expected to be positioned to take on competitors like the existing Honda CR-V and the likes of the Hyundai Sante Fe that is rumoured to be waiting in the wings to be launched here.

Speaking to the Business Line here during a media interaction, Mr Karl Slym, President and Managing Director of GM India, confirmed the company’s plans to launch the Captiva in January. “The homologation requirements for the Captiva have been completed, but we are yet to finalise the price,” Mr Slym said.

The features

Looking very much like a modern crossover or compact SUV, the Captiva is expected to be offered with a two-litre, turbocharged diesel engine that will feature common-rail direct injection technology. The 16-valve diesel unit with a variable geometry turbocharger will generate a peak power of 150bhp and be capable of meeting Euro IV emission norms.

The Captiva will be launched at the Auto Expo 2008 to be held in January at New Delhi. In addition to showcasing this premium SUV’s global platform and technology, GM India hopes that the Captiva will also bolster the Chevrolet brand’s image. Apart from the Captiva, the other car that GM plans to showcase at the Expo is the Cadillac CTS.

New plant

Speaking about the company’s upcoming new plant near Pune, Mr Slym said that trial production at the facility is set to commence by April next year. The car assembly plant with a total capacity of 1.4 lakh units per annum is being set up with a total investment of about $320 million. Commercial production of cars at the new plant is expected to start by the last quarter of 2008.

GM is also actively considering the setting up of a powertrain plant, but no specifics have been finalised yet, Mr Slym mentioned. A possible powertrain facility is actively being considered to cater to GM’s future demands, even as the company works towards launching a second small car in the Indian market next year.

Simultaneously, GM India is also drawing up a dealership expansion plan. Accordingly, by the end of the year, GM dealers are expected to total upto a 100, from the current 95. Car service outlets are also expected to number 120 by the yearend, with plans in place for a further expansion next year.

GM also has an engineering centre in Bangalore where currently it employs about 1,000 powertrain and vehicle engineers. The company plans to double the headcount at the facility within the next two-three years, in keeping with the expected increase in the amount of business generated by the centre.