General Motors' LCV in 2011

General Motors India on Tuesday said it plans to roll out the first light commercial vehicle (LCV) from its Halol plant in Panchmahals district of Gujarat in 2011.

The plant, having production capacity of 85,000 vehicles a year, is expected to produce three variations of one-tonne LCVs, which will be manufactured alongside other vehicles, GM India President and Managing Director, Mr Karl Slym, told reporters here, after launching the Chevrolet Beat in the Gujarat market.

Electric spark

GM is also set to launch the Spark Electric this year. It is in talks with battery suppliers in China and Japan.

Replying to a question, Mr Slym said the Halol plant, having around 1,300 employees, manufactured 70,000 vehicles in 2009. With increase in demand and market conditions, expansion of the plant would be undertaken when necessary.

Enthused with revival of the market in the third quarter of 2009-10, General Motors restarted a second shift at Halol in December and the plant may go in for a third shift also, he said, adding it was expected to produce 1.20 lakh vehicles in 2010.

The auto major is expected to increase the use of local spares from 60 per cent to 90 per cent in 12 months. GM's sales had registered a 5.6 per cent growth last year.

Asked about the company's tie up with Bhavnagar-based Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute on jatropha and other alternative fuel sources, Mr Slym said his company has the capacity to produce bio-fuel compliant vehicles when this fuel becomes commercially viable and available.

Work on GM India's Powertrain plant, having a capacity of 1,60,000 units per annum, is in progress at the Talegaon manufacturing facility. It will roll out engines next year. This was the first flexi-engine plant in the world wherein both petrol and diesel engines would be manufactured together.

Source Indiacar.com: Source : Business Line (Online Edition) (1/21/2010)