GM’s in bounce-back mode with MPV, Sail

In a two-pronged strategy, US carmaker General Motors India (GMI) is looking to leverage its soon-to-be-launched MPV and Sail to capture both the metros and smaller towns.

Lowell Paddock, who recently took over as the new president and managing director at GMI, is counting on the strategy to help the company regain its lost position in India.

"There is no other car market like India with so much diversification across all ends and we are going to do everything to succeed here," said Paddock.

The company is betting big on its two launches — Chevrolet MPV and Chevrolet Sail — which is just a few months away.

"Our strategy is to have global cars and at the same time to expand the domestic portfolio here with focus on value-based products in the mass segment," said Paddock.

General Motors India currently runs two shifts and has the flexibility to run three shifts if the market is back and there is a demand.

GMI has a 7% marketshare in the hatch back segment. It sold a total of 111,510 units in 2011 as compared to 63,300 during the 2009-10 period.

Paddock is also keen on taking forward, GMI's joint venture with Chinese automaker Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC).