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GM to Break Even in Southeast Asia in 2000

5 July 1999

Autoline Detroit: GM to Break Even in Southeast Asia in 2000

    DETROIT, July 2 -- General Motors will break even in
Southeast Asia next year, Rudolph Schlais, president of GM Asia Pacific Ltd.,
said on the television program Autoline Detroit.  Last year GM's Asia Pacific
operations lost $147 million.  He also gives GM's outlook for the economies of
the countries that comprise this region.  Autoline Detroit is produced by Blue
Sky Productions.
    Mr. Schlais also announced that General Motors is developing a core
automotive product for the Asian market.  "It will not be a mini-car," Schlais
promised.  It will be an Opel Astra-sized vehicle that will be jointly
developed by Suzuki and GM's Holden operations in Australia, and assembled at
a new plant General Motors is building in Thailand.
    In China, Mr. Schlais said the company is on track to build 20,000 Buicks.
It has deposits on hand for 4,000 cars and has delivered 3,000.  While GM
originally thought only 2% of the cars would be bought by private owners, they
actually account for 20% of sales.
    Mr. Schlais said that General Motors will use the experience it has gained
in North America, Europe and elsewhere to develop a more flexible retail
network in Southeast Asia.  He says GM will be able to explore opportunities
for direct sales, retail outlets and internet selling.
    Autoline Detroit with John McElroy airs each Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m.
and again on Monday morning at 7 a.m. on Detroit Public Television.  Streaming
video of the program is available at http://www.theautolink.com.  Autoline
Detroit is underwritten by General Electric, and Visteon Automotive Systems.