Chinese car manufacturer Great Wall Motors(GWM) have recently confirmed that they will debut in the Indian market with their sub brand – Haval.Great Wall Motors will also be participating in the Auto Expo 2020 and showcase their product lineup as well.
The Chines brand have also signed an agreement to purchase General Motors(GM) India’s Talegaon manufacturing plant located near Pune, which means that GM India will soon have no production facility in the country as the one earlier they sold to Morris Garages and now one to be purchased by Great Wall Motors.
Now with the sale out of Talegaon plant to GWM, GM have completely stopped the production activities in India although they will continue to provide after sales service and spare parts to existing customers.The carmakers have already stopped sales in the country 2 years back since December 2017.
Lu Xiangshang, Vice President, Global Strategy, Great Wall Motors, said that the development aimed at the brand’s plan to enter as well as invest in India.He also added, “The Indian market has great potential, rapid economic growth and a good investment environment. Entering the Indian market is an important step for Great Wall Motors’ global strategy,”
“It is also an important measure to respond positively to the Indian government’s national strategy of vigorously advocating Make In India, Digital India and a ‘strong focus on clean energy in India’ and building a new India vision.”
He also mentioned that with the purchase of Talegaon plant by Great Wall Motors, more direct as well as indirect jobs will be created along with promoting development of the local chain supply, R&D and related industries.It will be helpful to the Government of India as well as that of Maharashtra by providing more taxes and profits.
On this, GM International Operations Senior Vice President Julain Blissett said, “Our decision to cease production at Talegaon is based on GM’s global strategy and optimisation of our manufacturing footprint around the world.”He also added, “On behalf of GM, I also want to express our gratitude to the government of Maharashtra and the government of India for their supportive partnership ever since we began to make investments and build cars in India. We will work closely with the state and national governments to secure the required approvals so that GWM can elevate production at the plant even further and maintain Talegaon’s status as a vibrant vehicle manufacturing region.”
General Motors stopped the sales of their cars in December 2017 and withdrew their Chevrolet brand in the same month.From the past two years, they have used the facility to produce Chevrolet Bear and sedan for the export market mainly for Latin American countries.
Great Wall Motors will make their appearance at Delhi Auto Expo with Haval brand and Great Wall Motors EV and also announce the launch timeline of their vehicles for the Indian market with first car expected to hit the showrooms early next year.
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