A defined version of cars from GM-SAIC is in the offing and the outcome of the current market study will pave way for commercial vehicles under this JV. After the launch of Beat, the company is now on the process of launching new products by the end of next year. SAIC has got a lion’s share in the JV and has committed to invest Rs1620 crore for the India projects. December2011 will see LCVs from Talegaon plant and will be followed by passenger cars (probably Chevrolet range) from Wuling in the next year.
In the meantime the company is on the look out for dealerships. The company is aware of the consumer approach towards Chinese makes and has given 2 years as the trial period for the product to establish. Halol and Talegaon will see additional investment for making these vehicles. Once the power train gets ready at Talegaon facility the roll down of Beat will come into effect.
The power train engines may be on both petrol and diesel variants in 1.5 lit to begin with as the plant has the capacity of 1.60 lakh engines(likely to be increased to 3 lakhs). Engines as well as cars fitted with engines will be exported from this unit while the Korean plants will export cars for other countries. Beat may be exported to European belt and Asia-Pacific countries.