US automobile giant General Motors has announced plans to launch five new cars in India by the 2012 year-end. Among the proposed models are a hatchback, a sedan, a utility vehicle, a van and a Euro-IV version of Tavera. According to Mr. P Balendran, Vice-President, General Motors India, the utility vehicle will be the first one to be rolled out and will be available by early 2012. The company is undergoing an expansion drive at both, the Halol plant in Gujarat and the Talegaon plant in Maharashtra. It has also set up its first flexi-power-train plant in Talegaon to manufacture both petrol and diesel engines small passenger cars. GMI has invested Rs. 5,000 crore in India till date.
The company is hoping that the passenger car business will improve during the festive season in the month of October 2011 and aims at achieving annual sales of 1,40,000 units in 2011 as compared to 1,10,000 units in 2010, says Mr. Balendran. It also expects a boost in sales with the launch of the diesel variant of the Chevrolet Beat.