GM planning to launch mini-trucks on the Indian market by 2012

General Motors India’s joint venture with China’s SAIC is preparing to launch a range of mini-trucks and passenger vehicles two years from now, according to General Motor’s India head Karl Slym.

He disclosed plans to launch two mini-trucks and three passenger vehicles in India, which will be sold under the Chevrolet brand. At a press conference, Slym said that light commercial vehicles in India are expected to increase by 24% on average in the next 3-4 years. He said that this gives the company a “scope of tremendous growth in the market.” He added these light trucks, in the sub-one ton and one ton categories, will be priced competitively. GM models in India include the Chevrolet Beat, the Chevrolet Spark and the Chevrolet Tavera utility. About 50% of all commercial vehicles offered in India are light trucks. In this segment, Tata Motors undoubtedly dominates with a nearly 90% share.

More Saab vehicles are on their way,says Chairman Victor Muller

 

Saab’s new Dutch owner, Spyker Cars NV, intends to spin more models off its new Phoenix platform after it yields a redesigned Saab 9-3. The latest 9-3 will arrive in Saab dealerships in 2012.

This was revealed by Spyker founder and Saab Automobile AB Chairman Victor Muller at the CAR Management Briefing Seminars. These dealerships, which have not received new products as former owner General Motors had been busy with attempts to sell or liquidate the brand, will also be getting a Cadillac-based 9-4X crossover when it enters production in April 2011 in Mexico. Muller was at the forefront of the purchase of Saab earlier this year. He moved to quickly ramp up the plants to start US deliveries of a new 9-5 in recent weeks. The 9-5 was already in the pipeline as a platform designed by GM. Muller said that Spyker’s only contribution to the new 9-5 is “the fact that it still exists.” He said that since February 2009, no cars have been delivered to US dealers. Muller said that the 9-3’s Phoenix platform started as a GM platform for the 9-3. However, Saab is currently overhauling the platform and tweaking some of the styling of the car.