The Motown Meltdown in the US is finally showing its ugly face here in India. General Motors India (GMI) has decided to market only the Chevrolet brand of cars in India. General Motors had earlier made attempt to sell its Opel brand of cars in India only to see the Indian customers dislike for the pricing of the Opel cars and was soon discontinued in the late 90’s. The first GM models to enter India were Opel Astra,Opel Corsa and Opel Vectra even before other GM subsidiaries could make a dent in the Indian Market.

Even as the U.S. parent company General Motors has filed for bankruptcy and is likely to restrict itself to four major brands Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac and GMC. The effects of the global economic felt by the GM parent company has also been felt here in India. However, the effects are only restricted to the number of GM cars in India. Currently, the Chevrolet portfolio includes six cars all of which are doing good in the country. In fact, Chevrolet has been able to survive the bankruptcy application by the parent company.

Auto Analysts say that General Motors is trying to play safe by restricting itself to Chevrolet Brand of cars in India. All the cars are positioned in the high volume segments, which will continue to attract high revenue. This policy seems to be in tune with its target to grab 10 per cent of the market share by 2010. Going by the market reports, it will not be far when the brand Chevrolet will be behind Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai Motors, which hold the top positions in passenger car market.

By making this announcement General Motors, U.S. has also drawn curtains to all speculation that the luxury Cadillac cars would come to India someday.