GM India will create a separate sales network for its light commercial vehicles (LCV), due for launch in early 2012. The initial goal is to establish 100 new dealerships which will translate into generous showroom display space.

The company, which has entered into an alliance with SAIC Motor Corp. of China, plans to attract new customers with the two LCVs of around one tonne payload capacity each. The two base models — a van and a pickup — will spawn other variants. In addition, there will be two sedans, a sports-utility vehicle and a small car developed by its Bangalore technical centre.

Mr Karl Slym, President and Managing Director, GM India, told Business Line that the company has chosen to retain the Chevrolet brand for CVs since it is already well established in the country. “Setting up a new brand is expensive and we have decided against it. For the LCVs, we aim to have a different network in the main cities, though in smaller towns the dealerships may be the same. We are looking to add around 100 touch points in the first year itself,” he said.

GM is also open to giving dealers the LCV franchise if they can assure an exclusive facility. “We are carrying out market research and appointing new dealers. There will be some branding differentiation between Chevrolet cars and LCVs,” said Mr P. Balendran, Vice- President.

Electric car

Mr Slym said April would see the company showcase an indigenously developed electric car on its small car platform. “This will be a pure electric car made from GM's expertise. It will be production-ready and may be on the roads in 2012 depending on market response,” he said.

> roudra.b@thehindu.co.in

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