KUALA LUMPUR: General Motors Corp (GM) aims to expand the manufacturing of the Chevrolet car models to Malaysia, with details to be finalised in the next few months.
South-East Asia operations president Steve Carlisle said the plan was currently at the study stage with details such as the number of vehicles to be manufactured and when production would start, to be firmed up over the next few months.
The rationale behind the move was GM's policy of “building where we sell,” he said.
“Our intention is to add to General Motor's Thailand story by extending our manufacturing presence to Malaysia,” he said at the launch of three new Chevrolet models yesterday.
Currently, GM manufactures models of the Chevrolet brand for the South-East Asian market at its 142,000-unit per year capacity, 66ha plant in Rayong, Thailand.
In Malaysia, the manufacturing of Chevrolet models would be in partnership with DRB-HICOM Bhd, under Hicom-Chevrolet Sdn Bhd, Carlisle said.
Meanwhile, the new models launched were the latest versions of the Optra Magnum Estate 1.6-litre, Optra Magnum Sedan 1.6-litre and 1.8-litre, and Aveo 1.4-litre.
On-the-road prices with insurance for the models start from RM95,205.50, RM88,023.50 and RM72,587.20 respectively.
Hicom-Chevrolet chief executive officer Yukontorn Wisadkosin said the new models would appeal to Malaysian drivers' “taste and sense of distinct individuality”.
For example, the Optra Magnum Sedan comes with traction control and option of a sporty aero kit, the Aveo now has a refined and luxurious interior while the Optra Magnum Estate provides generous space and a sporty design while staying true to its family-oriented design.
All three models were expected to contribute equally to Chevrolet sales in Malaysia but the Aveo model would likely have the largest volume as it targeted a larger market segment, she said.
To date, Hicom-Chevrolet had six 3S (sales, service and spare parts) centres and was on track to meeting its target of 15 such centres in Malaysia by year-end, she said.
As a start of efforts to turn around the Chevrolet brand in Malaysia, “Chevrolet will be represented by nothing less than a 3S centre or dealership”, she said.
She added that Chevrolet would honour valid warranties issued in the past to 14,000 to 15,000 existing Chevrolet customers and provide after-sales servicing for vehicles sold by previous dealers.
On the lack of spare parts for previous models, she said Chevrolet was leveraging on GM's global network to ensure a supply of parts.
“We will release the pricing of the parts in a month or so,” she said
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/16/business/20959911&sec=business
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/15/business/20080415160131&sec=business
http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2008/4/13/lifefocus/20914149&sec=lifefocus
South-East Asia operations president Steve Carlisle said the plan was currently at the study stage with details such as the number of vehicles to be manufactured and when production would start, to be firmed up over the next few months.
The rationale behind the move was GM's policy of “building where we sell,” he said.
“Our intention is to add to General Motor's Thailand story by extending our manufacturing presence to Malaysia,” he said at the launch of three new Chevrolet models yesterday.
Currently, GM manufactures models of the Chevrolet brand for the South-East Asian market at its 142,000-unit per year capacity, 66ha plant in Rayong, Thailand.
In Malaysia, the manufacturing of Chevrolet models would be in partnership with DRB-HICOM Bhd, under Hicom-Chevrolet Sdn Bhd, Carlisle said.
Meanwhile, the new models launched were the latest versions of the Optra Magnum Estate 1.6-litre, Optra Magnum Sedan 1.6-litre and 1.8-litre, and Aveo 1.4-litre.
On-the-road prices with insurance for the models start from RM95,205.50, RM88,023.50 and RM72,587.20 respectively.
Hicom-Chevrolet chief executive officer Yukontorn Wisadkosin said the new models would appeal to Malaysian drivers' “taste and sense of distinct individuality”.
For example, the Optra Magnum Sedan comes with traction control and option of a sporty aero kit, the Aveo now has a refined and luxurious interior while the Optra Magnum Estate provides generous space and a sporty design while staying true to its family-oriented design.
All three models were expected to contribute equally to Chevrolet sales in Malaysia but the Aveo model would likely have the largest volume as it targeted a larger market segment, she said.
To date, Hicom-Chevrolet had six 3S (sales, service and spare parts) centres and was on track to meeting its target of 15 such centres in Malaysia by year-end, she said.
As a start of efforts to turn around the Chevrolet brand in Malaysia, “Chevrolet will be represented by nothing less than a 3S centre or dealership”, she said.
She added that Chevrolet would honour valid warranties issued in the past to 14,000 to 15,000 existing Chevrolet customers and provide after-sales servicing for vehicles sold by previous dealers.
On the lack of spare parts for previous models, she said Chevrolet was leveraging on GM's global network to ensure a supply of parts.
“We will release the pricing of the parts in a month or so,” she said
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/16/business/20959911&sec=business
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/15/business/20080415160131&sec=business
http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2008/4/13/lifefocus/20914149&sec=lifefocus