GM launches Cruze, plan to launch all future cars from new platform

US car maker General Motors on Monday announced that all its future automobile products in India will be designed on the new generation platform and introduced Chevrolet Cruze, the first car built on the platform in the country. Its premium sedan Chevrolet Cruze was introduced today at an introductory price of Rs 10.99-12.45 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The company had committed to roll out 'exciting' products in India after the coming out of bankruptcy in June. The company also announced to change the design of its Chevrolet brand to give it a modern touch.

Chevrolet Cruze is the first product from our third generation 300 -series platform. Although our existing models will continue from the current platforms, all our future products in India will come out from this new platform, General Motors India President and Managing Director Karl Slym told reporters here.With a slew of launches lined up for the next few months, General Motors India is aiming for a 10 per cent jump in its sales this year and more in 2010. The second car from the 300-series would be the mini car Chevrolet Beat, to be launched by early 2010.

After that a smaller car from this new platform will come out in around 18 months, Slym said. The company has developed the Chevrolet Cruze in Germany, but it received inputs from all of its R&D teams across the globe. When three months ago new GM was born, we committed to build new and exciting cars for all our markets. Chevrolet Cruze is part of that commitment, Slym said. The Chevrolet Cruze would compete with other players such as Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla Altis, Skoda Laura and Volkswagen Jetta, in the premium car segment.

Besides the domestic market, the company would export the car to a few neighbouring countries like China and Australia. The company, which witnessed highest sales in September with 7,654 units, is expecting a 10 per cent jump in 2009. It had sold about 66,000 units last year. We are expecting more growth next year with Chevrolet Cruze, Chevrolet Beat and many models on alternate fuels, Slym said.

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