Shanghai - Since its introduction in China in 2000, Chevrolet’s sales have surpassed 500,000 units, making it one of the fastest-growing volume nameplates in China’s marketplace.

Collective sales of Chevrolet through the end of April totaled 519,110 units, with Shanghai GM, a 50-50 joint venture between General Motors and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. Group (SAIC), contributing more than 400,000 units.

“Chevrolet, GM’s most popular global vehicle brand, is one of our mainstream brands in China alongside Buick,” said Kevin Wale, President and Managing Director of the GM China Group. “Chevrolet’s portfolio in the small to intermediate segments has grown in line with rising demand among consumers.”

The current Chevrolet lineup in China includes the Lova small car, Aveo small car, Epica intermediate sedan, Spark mini-car and Captiva compact utility vehicle. As a trustworthy, young and dynamic international auto brand, Chevrolet is targeting Chinese young professionals who want a vehicle mainly for personal use.

To get closer to customers, the distribution network of Chevrolet is expanding rapidly in China. The number of Chevrolet dealerships reached 200 in China in 2007, a figure that is expected to grow to 300 by the end of this year.

“Chevrolet’s business in China will continue to benefit from GM’s strategy of leveraging its rich global product portfolio and utilizing our strong local capabilities to tailor our products for the domestic market,” said Wale. “A goal of ours is to ensure that Chevrolet products built and sold in China are leaders in their segments in fuel efficiency.”

Shanghai GM recently introduced the new Chevrolet Aveo 1.2 five-door hatchback, which set a new technological standard for small cars in China. The Aveo’s 1.2-liter S-TEC II engine generates the highest power (53.1 kW/l) yet has the lowest fuel consumption (4.7 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers at a constant speed of 90 km/h) of any vehicle in its class. The engine fully complies with China’s new National IV emission standard and is designed to operate at a higher compression ratio, producing greater power than many similar-size engines.

Courtesy: Chevrolet, General Motors, China

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Posted by Jigar Gondalia on 16 May, 2008 5:30:16 PM IST #