Normal Operations for GM India even as GM North America’s Reinvention Accelerates

(SANEPR.com) June 2, 2009 -- New Delhi– GM India has announced that it continues all its normal operations and is not included in the court reinvention process of GM’s US operations.

GM announced a U.S. Court filing of the automaker under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. The launch of New GM, which will have substantially less debt and operating cost, is expected to be completed within two or three months, and is aimed at creating a company that is stronger, leaner and ready to move forward.

“We believe this step – which was taken with the support of the U.S. government – is the most efficient and effective means for GM to quickly achieve a competitive and profitable future. ,” said Mr. Nick Reilly,GM Group Vice President and President of GM Asia Pacific in Shanghai.

GM India operations are not included in the US filing for Chapter 11. Consequently, all GM India dealers, warranty and customer support services will remain unaffected and continue to function as normal. Its country-wide dealership network and service centres will continue to do business as usual and customers can visit their local dealer for service and warranty coverage, while dealers will receive new vehicles and spare parts as usual.

“We are committed to ensuring that our customers continue to receive a top-notch sales, service, spare parts and warranty coverage experience. Our dealers will also continue to receive all our carlines, while our suppliers will continue to work with us to supply parts and components for our cars, which we will continue to build at our state-of-the-art Talegaon and Halol facilities, in the normal course of business. We have no intention to modify our product, brand or other business plans including new product launches, the all new Chevrolet Cruze from our mother plant in Halol and an all new Chevrolet mini car from our new state of the art plant at Talegaon,” said Mr. Karl Slym, President and Managing Director, General Motors India.


“We will remain aggressive in all areas of our business and continue to introduce new and exciting products that are best in class, in order to contribute to our own long-term viability and the bottom-line of our company as a whole. Our product programs and other plans for the future remain on track.

“In its 14 years of established operations in this country, GM India has invested over Rs.5000 crore to create a manufacturing capacity of 225,000 vehicles per annum. We are deeply committed to this market, our customers, suppliers, dealers and all other stakeholders to continue our rapid story of successful growth in India. Over 4000 people are directly employed by GM India at our manufacturing plants in Halol and Talegaon, our Engineering, R&D and Design Centre in Bangalore and our corporate office in Gurgaon. We are not going anywhere and we are here to stay for the long term,” added Mr. Slym.

It may be recalled that GM India has already announced the launch of three brand-new cars for this year. Of these, it has launched Chevrolet Captiva Automatic+ in January and its second offering of the year, the premium luxury Chevrolet Cruze sedan, will reach dealerships within the next few months. An all-new, segment-leading mini-car will also hit Indian roads towards the end of this year. In addition, the company will also be launching LPG and CNG options in its current product line-up in the coming months.

General Motors India has two state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities at Halol in Gujarat and Talegaon in Maharashtra. General Motors India manufactures the Chevrolet Optra Magnum, Chevrolet Aveo, Chevrolet SRV, Chevrolet Aveo U-VA, Chevrolet Spark, Chevrolet Tavera and Chevrolet Captiva for the Indian market.