General Motors to launch Indian Variants of SAIC mock-ups soon

General Motors is a known car maker in the world, and this car maker is all geared up to launch Indian version of SAIC models very soon in the country. The Chevrolet Beat diesel, which will come with one litre of engine, will be launched on 25th July 2011 in India. As per the MD and President of GM India, Mr. Karl Slym, General Motors have quite a thorough plan for the next eighteen months.

When asked about the new engine and the car, Mr. Karl told that this new diesel version of Chevrolet Beat that is being manufactured at the Talegaon facility and India will be the only country that will welcome the diesel version of chic Chevrolet Beat. The basic foundation of this 1 litre engine is General Motors’ 1.3 Litre 4 cylinder SDE variant, which has been through the well-known Bangalore Technical Centre. This technical centre has been working on the engine since last 3 years in alliance with General Motors Powertrain Europe.

If rumors are to be believed, GM India tool 1 cylinder and then modified it particularly for India. It is being said that this Chevrolet Beat diesel engine is highly fuel efficient, lighter and utilizes non-corrosive materials. When asked about exporting the engine, Mr. Karl said that if there is a chance, then why not, but currently exports are not the priority.

A total of around 3000 Chevrolet Beats are manufactured in just a month. In the next eighteen months, GM India might launch 5 products with options in fuel variants. GM India will also launch 2 products in association with SAIC also known as Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation by the year of 2012. The Bangalore facility of GM India is being converted into the Indian variant completely. Also the production will start on LCV or light commercial vehicles.

GM India is also planning to expand its dealership in India and willing to touch a mark of 300 outlets by the end of 2011. Currently it has around 240 outlets in the country.