GENERAL Motors rolled out its new car - - the Chevrolet Optra - - at its plant in
Halol today. The Optra sedan is being positioned in the upper-C segment,
alongside cars such as the Toyota Corolla and Skoda Octavia.
The car is being imported in completely-knocked-down (CKD) units format from
GM-DAT, based in Korea.
Though not disclosing the pricing of the car, Mr Vinay Dixit, Vice-President - Marketing, Sales & Aftersales, said it would be priced competitively in the segment. The Optra, which had an engine capacity of 1.8 litre, would be rolled
out in the domestic market towards the end of the current month.
In a statement put out by the company at the launch, Mr Aditya Vij, President & Managing Director, said that the "Chevrolet Optra, like all Chevrolet models to
be launched by GM India, shall aim to become the smart choice in a mainstream market by delivering better value through styling, features and performance and would address key growing and profitable segments."
Mr Terry Johnsson, Executive Director of GM's Asia Pacific Headquarters, said that Chevrolet brand of vehicles would herald the consolidation of GM's presence in the region, adding that India would be one of the first countries in the world to locally manufacture and sell the Chevrolet Optra.
The Optra is the second GM launch under the Chevrolet brand in India. GM had earlier launched the Chevrolet Forester, a high-end sports utility vehicle (SUV) in the market. The company is expected to roll out a car in the B-segment or the compact car segment as well under the Chevrolet brand this year.
Meanwhile, General Motors is also looking to increase its distribution network.
"GM India as on today has 42 dealers and an equal number of authorised service outlets in 85 locations spread across the country. With the launch of the new products, our plan is to take the overall tally to 100 locations across the country shortly", Mr Vij said.
|
