It is possible that General Motors could offer an 800 cc car in near future. General Motors is contemplating to manufacture the sub-1Liter car on the existing Chevrolet Spark platform.

Mr Karl Slym, President, General Motors India told press reporters that they are denying a possibility on an 800 cc car. “Particularly with the small car market expanding, a number of opportunities are being created inside the same segment.” he said.

General Motors is already having an 800cc Chevy Matiz in its portfolio for Europe. Mr Slym said we have the capability, but it is yet to be decided whether it will be a new car or a similar car to our existing range.”

If the product is introduced, it would give GM a car cheaper than the ones existing in the market which could include Maruti Alto and Hyundai Santro.

Replying to queries on a 600-650 cc car to compete against Tata Nano, he said, “The minis car segment is important for us. But we are yet to study the feasibility of a GM product in that category.”

Talking about the Talegaon plant near Pune, he said that production is likely to start of in the third quarter of the year. When the plant begins production, the plant will initially manufacture 1.4lakh units which would then be increased to 3 lakh units per year.

Sounding upbeat about the upcoming Talegaon plant Mr Slym also said that this would be the first time that General Motors will have large volumes for export from India and not the other way round.

Meanwhile, the existing facility in Halol will also be made more flexible to accommodate more product range. Currently the Halol plant has a fixed range of car model for production.

General Motors is also considering a facility for powertrain production in the next two years. This facility will supply engine components for the 3 lakh cars to be produced at Talegaon. It is however still looking for a location to set up the facility.