GM India sold 7,118 units in November 2009 compared to 4,307 units in the same time period last year. This represents a 65 percent year-over-year increase in sales and marks an historic point for GM’s Indian division, since the figures represent its highest-ever sales achieved in the month of November. This news, of course, comes in light of the U.S. division reporting a two percent decline in the same time period.
The bad news
Not to be a killjoy, but these sales results pale when compared to the Indian auto industry as a whole. For example, Tata Motors sold 54,108 units during the same time period (a 65.5 percent year-over-year increase) while Maruti Suzuki (the country’s leader in four-wheeled vehicles and a partnership between the Indian government and Suzuki), sold 76,359 vehicles.
The breakdown
The November 2009 sales are made up of (our comments):
- 4,202 units of the Chevrolet Spark (the old non-Gamma Spark)
- 1,264 units of the Chevrolet Tavera (an Isuzu-based MPV)
- 524 units of  Aveo U-Va (hatch)
- 412 Units of Aveo (sedan)
- 518 units of  Chevrolet Cruze (the new one)
- 114 Units of Chevrolet Optra (Suzuki Forenza)
- 84 units of the Chevrolet Captiva (Saturn Vue)
GM said that “…response to the recently launched Chevrolet Cruze has also been found overwhelming.”
Dealers, Service, Finance
Today, the Chevrolet brand in India has 195 authorized sales points and 198 service outlets, with more being opened in urban and semi-urban areas. Since GM India sees growing demand for its products, it’s taking steps “to widen its network and reach out to its valued customers across the nation.”
GM India is also partnering with certain public and private sector banks to offer low EMI plans to its customers. An EMI (Equated Monthly Installment) is a type of loan that only accepts fixed monthly payments and – according to our friends in India – is very popular there.
The GM Authority Take
Numbers don’t lie: while a 65 percent year-over-year sales increase bodes well for GM India, these numbers are still miniscule compared to industry stalwarts such as Tata Motors and Suzuki. The upcoming Chevy Spark (yes, the same one we’ll be getting in the U.S.) is expected to generate a substantial increase in interest in the Chevrolet brand. Production has already begun at the Halol Plant (near Ahmedabad in Gujarat) and sales will begin in a few short months. The current-generation Spark will remain on sale as the Spark classic. If it makes a difference, Ford sold a measly 2520 units in November. Bam!
[Source: GM]
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