To enrich the technological process in its business, General Motors is on the process of recruiting more engineers in India this year. Some 150-200 engineers will be absorbed to look after every process- transmission, engines, hybrids and controls. GM is boastful with its largest automatic transmission design centre in Bangalore ( one that is outside its apex country). GM’s launch of Chevrolet Cruze AT received good response from the public, said the company’s President and MD for India. With the current production of 700 units the company has got bookings for another two months.
The sale volume in 2009 was 69579 cars amidst the slow down in the auto business. The comparative sale volume of 2008 was 65000 units and the boost in 2009 was due to the new arrivals – Chevrolet Spark and Chevrolet Beat. To improve further, there will be an addition of sales network-from 200 to 300 this year. GM’s manufacturing plants are in Talegaon and Halol with the capacity of 2.25 lakhs a year. Of these, Talegaon unit will see the second shift in March, just three months ahead of the schedule and the engine unit here will commence the production from November 2010 at a capacity of 1.6 lakh units. Halol is already having the second shift.
The company’s Technical Centre is in the process of devising engines in the range of 0.8 lit to 6-speed heavy duty and automatic transmission. Currently the engine design is carried out with the technical assistance mooted by the engineers of the apex plant in the US. In order to have more domestic focus, the company is on the verge of incorporating more engineers by this year end.