GM launches Aveo sedan in booming Indian market, details expansion plans

Despite massive problems and threats of contraction at home, General Motors is enjoying promising fortunes in a number of emerging global markets.

In an announcement integral to the company's growing aspirations abroad, GM announced that the Chevrolet Aveo will take to Indian roads next month, as the first of a trio of new Bowtie launches scheduled to bow over the next half year. All-in, the GM division is hoping to clear 50,000 units in India in 2006, including about 14,000 Aveos (en-route to about 20,000/year). The Aveo sedan (classified as an entry-level midsizer in India) will be joined in the coming months by the Aveo U-VA hatchback and Optra SRV 'sportback'.

GM is currently considering a second plant in India to build a small car, in addition to upsizing the capacity at its Halol plant from 60k to 85k by year's end, with an eye toward controlling 10-percent of the market by 2010. Chevrolet of India currently offers the Tavera minivan, Optra, and Forester (yes, that one, though probably not for long).

[Source: NewKerala.com]