GM to manufacture vehicles at Talegaon facility

Pune, Nov 21 (UNI) Auto major General Motors today laid the foundation stone for its vehicle manufacturing facility at Talegaon near here at the hands of Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh on a 300-acre plot at a cost of USD 300 million.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said, ''I am proud that General Motors has selected Maharashtra for their manufacturing facility. This will generate a lot of employment in the region.'' The GM Manufacturing Facility at Talegaon will have an initial annual production capacity of 140,000 vehicles and will employ more than 1,000 people. It will have the capability of being expanded in line with growing demand for its products. The plant when completed will manufacture a Chevrolet mini-car for the domestic market in the last quarter of 2008.

''This marks the beginning of GM's next chapter in India,'' said GM Group Vice President and President of GM Asia Pacific Nick Reilly at today's ceremony. ''By more than doubling our annual manufacturing capacity in India, the new plant will position GM for long-term expansion in the world's second fastest growing market.'' Speaking on the occasion, GM India President and Managing Director Rajeev Chaba said, ''We appreciate the support of the Maharashtra government and our employees across the country. The addition of a second manufacturing facility is a clear signal of GM's long-term commitment to becoming a leader among automakers in India by expanding our line-up of Chevrolet products.'' The Talegaon facility will complement GM's existing production facility in Halol, Vadodra, which currently manufactures the Chevrolet Tavera, Chevrolet Optra, Chevrolet SRV and the Chevrolet Aveo for sale in India. In addition, the GM India Technical Center in Bangalore is carrying out engineering, research and development activities for GM on a local, regional and global basis.

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