Sunday, March 11, 2007

General Motors to boost Chevy production abroad

Thursday, March 08, 2007
Report: General Motors to boost Chevy production abroad
The Detroit News



General Motors Corp. is increasing production of Chevrolet cars in markets such as India and Russia as it tries to retain a lead over Toyota Motor Corp., which may pass it as the world's largest automaker this year, Bloomberg News reported today.

Chevrolet cars based on Korean designs helped the automaker pass 2 million units for the first time in Europe and 1 million in Latin America last year, GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz told reporters in Geneva. Since 2001, Chevy sales have increased 158 percent outside North America, making it one of the fastest growing brands in the world, he said.

Growth in Russia, India and China are part of GM Chief Executive Officer Rick Wagoner's plan to focus on growth in 11 emerging market countries. Since Wagoner took over GM in 2000, GM has risen to first from second in those countries, which also include Brazil, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Poland and Turkey.

"While Chevrolet might not be as recognized globally as Ford or Volkswagen, it is probably the strongest brand in GM's portfolio," said John Casesa, managing partner of Casesa Strategic Advisors LLC. "Right now GM has a first mover advantage in emerging markets and I'm not so pessimistic that I think it's inevitable that they lose to Toyota."












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