GM to set a Spark on small car trail  ( March '12,2003, ET)

General Motors India (GMI), the wholly-owned subsidiary of the world’s largest auto maker. General Motors, has finally made up its mind to get into the small car segment in India and be a volume player. GMI now operates only in higher segments.

As a first step, GMI is set to roll out the ‘all new Matiz’ some time in June this year. The product planners in GMI won’t mind if the proposed launch of Isuzu Panther has to be postponed for rolling out its maiden small car. And in all likelihood, the proposed new car will hit the Indian road under the Chevrolet Spark brand name.

Though GMI officials are tight-lipped about the company’s future roll out plans, sources said that the Matiz look-alike or Chevrolet — as it is likely to be called — would be a much improved model in terms of “styling, features and performance”.

General Motors has taken over Daewoo Motors’ assets worldwide, but the fate of Daewoo Motors India still hangs in balance. GMI has a three-year maintenance and service contract with Daewoo Motors India for Matiz. “GMI will stick to that agreement even after launching a new Matiz or Chevrolet Spark,” sources said.

The proposed move by GMI goes well with the company’s plans to promote and popularise the Chevrolet brand, particularly in Asia-Pacific and south-east Asia.

Chevrolet brand cars from the GM stable are now available in Latin America, Indonesia, Thailand and Philippines. The company has also been using the Chevrolet tag on vehicles from other car makers it has alliance with, to tap the growing south east Asian markets.

GMI will continue to nurture the Opel brand even while rolling out the Chevrolet in India, sources said. The GMI offerings under Opel brand include Astra, Corsa and the top-of-the-line Vectra. While announcing the company’s plans to bring Chevrolet brand to India, GMI brass had mentioned the sports utility vehicle, Forester, as well. But the product planners at GMI headquarters in Halol have now decided in favour of Chevrolet Spark.