Five New GM Cars in Two Years

General Motors India (GMI) plans to launch five new cars in the next two years, even as the parent company is reeling under bankruptcy in the United States.

Currently, GMI is developing two new small cars for India. It is learnt that one of them would be based on the popular Beat platform and will have a tall boy design like the Maruti Ritz, and WagonR. It is likely to be launched in Europe and Asian markets later this year.

The Chevrolet Cruze sedan, based on GM's Optra platform, is likely to be launched in September this year. Its utility vehicle Tavera will undergo major changes in design and technology, which will be launched early next year. A premium hatchback will also be introduced late 2010. GMI's flagship model Spark will be available in a new version this year.

Apart from these, the company will launch two new cars, and a few alternative fuel vehicles powered by CNG and LPG fuels.

GMI has to find its own sources of funding these plans following the bankruptcy of its Detroit-based parent. It has set itself a target of bagging a 10% market share by 2010 in India. However, this target looks unattainable in the near future given the present market conditions.

Sources: http://www.carazoo.com/newcars/carreview/Maruti_Suzuki/Ritz; http://www.carazoo.com/upcomingcars/Sedans/upc2404200901/Chevrolet-Cruze