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GM rolls out Optra Magnum variants

Special Correspondent

Prices range from Rs. 8.74 lakh to Rs. 9.99 lakh

NEW DELHI: Further emboldened by the response to its hatchback Chevrolet Spark, General Motors India on Saturday rolled out its first diesel offering in sedan Optra Magnum eyeing about 70 per cent growth in sales this calendar year. The three diesel variants of the Optra Magnum, powered by a two-litre turbocharged common rail direct injection engine, has been introduced at a competitive price starting from Rs. 8.74 lakh to Rs. 9.99 lakh to take on the rivals in this segment.

"Despite the industry slowing down, we have been able to achieve robust growth. This year we are looking at selling about 66,000 units as compared to 38,800 units last year," GM India Director, Marketing, Anisha Motwani, said while interacting with the media here on the occasion of the maiden diesel offering of the sedans.

With Spark doing well and the company expecting to sell 18,000 units of this car besides 24,000 units of multi-utility vehicle Tavera in 2007, she said, "About 8,000 units are expected to be sold from the Optra range, 70 per cent of which will be from the diesel version. The company is targeting to sell 16,000 units of Aveo, Aveo-UVA and Chevrolet SRV cumulatively".

Ms. Motwani revealed that a new petrol version of the Optra sedan was on the cards and would be launched soon.

In May, GM India sold 3,625 units against 1,853 units in the same month last year. According to GM India Vice-President, Marketing (Sales and After-sales), Ankush Arora, the company is planning to launch SUV Captiva next year, while possibilities are being explored for introducing CNG range in mid-sized sedan Aveo. GM had already introduced CNG Optra in the market.

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