General Motors with Chinese companies to launch Nano rival car in India

WDM007 · 31st May 2010, 11:28

General Motors may use its Chinese associations to launch a rival for Tata Nano in India.

“We will look at every market segment and I wouldn’t rule out anything,” said Timothy E Lee, president, GM International Operations, when asked about competing in India’s new entry-level segment.

The US carmaker believes its joint venture with Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC), one of the top three automakers in China, will help it introduce a car to compete with the world’s cheapest car at Rs 1 lakh.

GM’s small cars already in India such as Chevrolet Beat, Spark and Aveo are designed in South Korea, at erstwhile Daewoo Motors.

This marks a u-turn in the US carmaker’s earlier stand when its global officials indicated that they did not think the Nano segment was viable for the company.

But now GM bets on its China connection to break new grounds. SAIC has already acquired 50% stake in GM India.

The first products from General Motors’ three-way joint venture in China with Wuling and SAIC will be introduced in India end 2011 when it will roll out two minivans — Wuling Rongguang and Sunshine. These will be built at GM India’s Talegaon and Halol plants.

“The portfolio of GM, SAIC and SGMW will be looked at for India,” said Mr Lee.

GM India now has access to the complete portfolio of GM, SAIC as well as the SAIC-GM-Wuling Automobile Company combine to be introduced in the country, said Mr Lee.

This will include several cost-effective products in both passenger and commercial vehicle space from the SAIC-Wuling alliance.
Meanwhile, the Chinese carmakers are happy coming to India with a GM tag.

“We are going to position ourselves as a GM partner in India to create opportunities for everyone,” said Zhu Xiang Jun, executive director at SAIC Motor Corporation.

“These models are not Chinese models but GM’s global models which will be taken to India to create jobs and opportunities,” added Mr Jun.
While GM gives them access to a name that ruled the global automobile market till recently and an established network in India, an equally compelling reason might be India’s sensitivity to Chinese companies.
New Delhi recently told Indian telcos not to place orders with Chinese equipment makers Huawei Technologies and ZTE Corp due to security concerns.

GM officials, however, say that there has been no indication that Indian authorities have a problem with SAIC buying 50% stake in GM India.

“This sector has automatic approval and its not sensitive like telecom,” said P Balendran, spokesman of GM India. “We have had a detailed discussion with Indian officials and they don’t have a problem,” he added.
He said that the architecture for the Wuling products will come from China but they will be made in Halol and Talegaon.

Apart from the Wuling minivans, GM’s Chinese alliance could spawn other products for India including the recently launched Chevy Sail, touted as its first car totally developed at Shanghai GM.

GM officials say the Chinese alliance will help GM India emerge as a volume player in this market quickly.

SOURCE: General Motors may drive in Nano rival with Chinese help-Automobiles-Auto-News By Industry-News-The Economic Times

volkman10 · 29th January 2013, 11:51

General Motors Updates Plans For Emerging Markets.

General Motors also said that they have a equally good relationship with SAIC with mutual understanding and will continue growth with the Chinese company too.
Even though Europe and Latin America are out, SAIC products will be launched in Asian markets like India, Indonesia and Thailand. With SAIC already having a decent market in Thailand, General Motors will work together in expanding their hold in other developing Asian markets. These countries are presently dominated by Toyota, but with very cost effective and simple cars costing as less as Rs. 2.4 lakhs, they can capture a decent share in the market.

http://www.motorbeam.com/cars/genera...jMoWwFdQizz.99

babu.sundaram · 29th January 2013, 12:17

Good news for Tata! At least someone could think Nano is premium, at least wrt to GM's car!

That said, with no offense meant to GM car owners: If GM cant sell even good quality products well without terrific warranties (and even then, even taxi wallas don't pick them up in good numbers), how would they sell perceivedly not so good products!

31st May 2010, 11:28	#1
WDM007 BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Beaverton, USA Posts: 236 Thanked: 15 Times View My Garage	General Motors with Chinese companies to launch Nano rival car in India General Motors may use its Chinese associations to launch a rival for Tata Nano in India. “We will look at every market segment and I wouldn’t rule out anything,” said Timothy E Lee, president, GM International Operations, when asked about competing in India’s new entry-level segment. The US carmaker believes its joint venture with Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC), one of the top three automakers in China, will help it introduce a car to compete with the world’s cheapest car at Rs 1 lakh. GM’s small cars already in India such as Chevrolet Beat, Spark and Aveo are designed in South Korea, at erstwhile Daewoo Motors. This marks a u-turn in the US carmaker’s earlier stand when its global officials indicated that they did not think the Nano segment was viable for the company. But now GM bets on its China connection to break new grounds. SAIC has already acquired 50% stake in GM India. The first products from General Motors’ three-way joint venture in China with Wuling and SAIC will be introduced in India end 2011 when it will roll out two minivans — Wuling Rongguang and Sunshine. These will be built at GM India’s Talegaon and Halol plants. “The portfolio of GM, SAIC and SGMW will be looked at for India,” said Mr Lee. GM India now has access to the complete portfolio of GM, SAIC as well as the SAIC-GM-Wuling Automobile Company combine to be introduced in the country, said Mr Lee. This will include several cost-effective products in both passenger and commercial vehicle space from the SAIC-Wuling alliance. Meanwhile, the Chinese carmakers are happy coming to India with a GM tag. “We are going to position ourselves as a GM partner in India to create opportunities for everyone,” said Zhu Xiang Jun, executive director at SAIC Motor Corporation. “These models are not Chinese models but GM’s global models which will be taken to India to create jobs and opportunities,” added Mr Jun. While GM gives them access to a name that ruled the global automobile market till recently and an established network in India, an equally compelling reason might be India’s sensitivity to Chinese companies. New Delhi recently told Indian telcos not to place orders with Chinese equipment makers Huawei Technologies and ZTE Corp due to security concerns. GM officials, however, say that there has been no indication that Indian authorities have a problem with SAIC buying 50% stake in GM India. “This sector has automatic approval and its not sensitive like telecom,” said P Balendran, spokesman of GM India. “We have had a detailed discussion with Indian officials and they don’t have a problem,” he added. He said that the architecture for the Wuling products will come from China but they will be made in Halol and Talegaon. Apart from the Wuling minivans, GM’s Chinese alliance could spawn other products for India including the recently launched Chevy Sail, touted as its first car totally developed at Shanghai GM. GM officials say the Chinese alliance will help GM India emerge as a volume player in this market quickly. SOURCE: General Motors may drive in Nano rival with Chinese help-Automobiles-Auto-News By Industry-News-The Economic Times
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29th January 2013, 11:51	#2
volkman10 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: -- Posts: 23,416 Thanked: 67,825 Times View My Garage	Re: General Motors with Chinese companies to launch Nano rival car in India General Motors Updates Plans For Emerging Markets. General Motors also said that they have a equally good relationship with SAIC with mutual understanding and will continue growth with the Chinese company too. Even though Europe and Latin America are out, SAIC products will be launched in Asian markets like India, Indonesia and Thailand. With SAIC already having a decent market in Thailand, General Motors will work together in expanding their hold in other developing Asian markets. These countries are presently dominated by Toyota, but with very cost effective and simple cars costing as less as Rs. 2.4 lakhs, they can capture a decent share in the market. http://www.motorbeam.com/cars/genera...jMoWwFdQizz.99
	() Thanks

29th January 2013, 12:17	#3
babu.sundaram BHPian Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Bangalore Posts: 264 Thanked: 93 Times	Re: General Motors with Chinese companies to launch Nano rival car in India Good news for Tata! At least someone could think Nano is premium, at least wrt to GM's car! That said, with no offense meant to GM car owners: If GM cant sell even good quality products well without terrific warranties (and even then, even taxi wallas don't pick them up in good numbers), how would they sell perceivedly not so good products!
	() Thanks