GM rolls out stylish cars

The model is ready to turn buyers’ heads

>> New Chevrolet Captiva launched in Vietnam

The launch came a month after General Motors rebranded its Vidamco unit as GM Vietnam and announced Chevrolet as its sole retail brand in the country.

“Vietnam is one of the most important markets for General Motors as it has a growing economy and very viable potential for the automobile industry. In this aspect, we regard success in such highly potential emerging markets like Vietnam as the key to remain as the global industry leader,” said Gaurav Gupta, managing director of GM Vietnam.

The newly-launched 1.2 litre double overhead camshafts (DOHC) engine Spark is a car that is ideal for those with an urban lifestyle. With the styling of a sporty hatchback, it showcases the new direction of Chevrolet design and a new trend in the design of mini-cars.

“GM’s clear goal from the very beginning was to create a revolution in size and design despite the restrictions of the mini segment,” said Gupta, adding that the new Chevrolet Spark would help GM Vietnam further increase its current segment share of 30 per cent in mini-cars in Vietnam.

Meanwhile, the new Captiva offers improved performance and fuel economy with its 2.4-litre DOHC Ecotec gasoline engine, along with a premium six-speed automatic and manual transmission. Amid all the changes and improvements that have been made from the previous generation, the new Captiva offers advantages in safety and convenience, with the electric parking brake system and auto leveling rear suspension control.

“With its strong, fresh, bold front fascia design and improved performance, the new Captiva will provide the best value to our customers. This is what Chevrolet stands for,” said Gupta.
Last year, more than 4.25 million Chevrolet vehicles were sold in more than 130 countries around the world. The Chevrolet brand accounts for 53 per cent of the firm’s overall sales and is one of the world’s fastest-growing vehicle brands.

Gupta said that GM’s sales of Chevrolet products in Vietnam in the first eight months of 2011 increased 40 per cent on-year, enabling it maintain the second-place position among foreign invested automakers in the country. With its manufacturing facility in Hanoi, which began operation in 1995, GM Vietnam has an annual assembly capacity of 20,000 vehicles for sale in Vietnam and for exports. It operates a nationwide sales network with 20 dealers, 22 showrooms and upgraded after-sales service centres in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

“With Vietnam’s traditional Tet holidays coming up, we are expecting higher sales in the automotive market,” said Gupta. According to the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (VAMA), Vietnam’s auto sales have increased by 10 per cent year-on-year, totalling 10,031 units in September. Last month, Toyota Vietnam retained first place by selling 3,048 units, followed by Truong Hai Auto and GM Vietnam with 2,677 and 1,068 units, sold respectively.

With September’s figure, VAMA members’ total auto sales in the first nine months of this year reached 80,678 units, an increase of 3 per cent in comparison with the same period in 2010 in which SUV/MPV/Cross-over went up by 4 per cent and passenger cars increased by 31.6 per cent.