GM’s driving ahead of competition

This will provide benefits to Chevrolet owners, offsetting rising vehicle registration fees and other ownership costs. Upon registration under Chevrolet Special Car, for two years from the vehicle’s retail invoice date or 50,000 kilometres, whichever comes first, Chevrolet owners will  receive free replacement of parts and free labour during scheduled maintenance and repair at authorised GM Vietnam’s service centres.

In addition to Chevrolet Special Care for April, customers who purchase a Chevrolet vehicle between April 10-30 will be offered 100 per cent physical insurance for two years for the vehicle and partial support in ownership tax. This programme, which is being applied to many Chevrolet models offered in Vietnam, will save each customer around $1,500 on ownership tax and $1,000 on insurance.

Gaurav Gupta, GM Vietnam managing director, said: “Yo Chevy’ promotion programme reaffirms the confidence of GM Vietnam in the quality of its new-generation Chevrolets and will build Chevrolet’s “customer centric” image via its service quality.”

“With our customer first philosophy and the introduction of high-quality products backed by premium service, GM Vietnam looks forward to leveraging GM’s unmatched global resources to benefit more and more consumers nationwide. This follows GM’s strategy of growing in Vietnam with Vietnam,” he said.

GM Vietnam launched the new mini Spark, sport utility vehicle Captiva and Orlando limousine in October and November last year after it was rebranded from Vidamco. “With the launch of the new Spark, our segment share in mini cars has actually increased to almost 30-31 per cent from 24-25 per cent. Likewise by the launch of Orlando, we almost go to 9 per cent from zero in multi-utility vehicle segment,” said Gupta.

Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (VAMA) figures show that GM Vietnam sold 1,660 units in the first quarter of this year, taking the third place in the list of best car sellers. The association announced that sales during January and March of its 17 member car-makers had fallen 37 per cent on-year to 17.891 -  the lowest figure in the last five years, largely due to the nation’s volatile economy and rising vehicle registration fees and other ownership costs.

However, Gupta said  GM Vietnam’s sales fall of 20 per cent on-year and its almost 35 per cent share in the domestic automobile industry in the first quarter were good signs.

“Now with guarantees from the Vietnamese government about taxes and the reduction of the interest rates, we do believe that the industry should go up and it will help our new launches,” said Gupta.

GM Vietnam’s manufacturing facility in Hanoi has an annual assembly capacity of 20,000 vehicles and the firm  operates a nationwide sales network with 22 dealers, 23 showrooms and upgraded aftersales service centres in major cities.