Karl Slym (right), president and managing director of GM India, in Calcutta on Thursday. Picture by Rashbehari Das

Calcutta, Aug. 4: General Motors (GM) has no plans to introduce the Cadillac in India but wants to focus on the promotion and development of the Chevrolet brand.

“We have recently completed a survey on the potential of the Cadillac in India. The results show that there is a positive brand recognition. However, we want to focus on the Chevrolet brand,” Karl Slym, GM India president and managing director, said, adding that the firm was not willing to sell the Cadillac in India.

“We are primarily focusing on products that are specifically designed for India having spent close to $1 billion in the development of both the plants (Halol and Talegaon),” Slym said at the launch of the diesel version of Chevrolet Beat here today. The Beat, which has a 1-litre diesel engine, has a starting price of Rs.4.99 lakh (ex-showroom Calcutta).

Meanwhile, the hike in interest rates and fuel prices have prompted GM to revise its sales growth target for this year.

“Last year, the industry grew 30 per cent and we grew at double the rate. This year, the industry is facing uncertainty. It is expecting a growth of 10-13 per cent. We expect to grow at double the rate.”

In 2010, the company sold 1.10 lakh units across all models. The car maker will launch five models, including a small car, a sedan, a light commercial vehicle and the Euro IV variant of the Tavera. GM plans to showcase the cars at the Delhi Auto Expo, 2012.

GM is expanding the capacity of its Halol and Talegaon units to 1.10 lakh and 1.7 lakh, respectively, at an investment of $500 million.