GM launches 1.2-litre 'Smartech' engine developed in India

General Motors, which sold over 110,000 vehicles in India in 2010 (as against 70,000 in 2009), has just launched its new 1.2-litre, 'Smartech' engine in India.

The American auto major which developed the new engine for the Indian market at its Bangalore technical research centre, plans to invest about $400 million at its manufacturing facility to double production capacity to 400,000 units over the next two years.

According to Karl Slym, president and general manager, GM India, the new engine was developed by engineers at its Bangalore centre, taking into consideration India's road conditions and the driving habits here.

 ''Our new engine is the result of an enormous R&D effort and thousands of hours of design, validation and testing,'' says Slym. ''It incorporates engineering changes which optimise engine performance for Indian conditions through innovative design techniques. The engine demonstrates the true potential of GM's engineering and manufacturing capability across India.''

The new engine, to be manufactured at its Talegaon plant near Pune, will power the Chevrolet Beat to be launched shortly. The car is one of the six new models that GM plans to launch in India over the next two years.

The company also plans to join hands with its Chinese partner, Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC), to launch a small car for the Indian market and to take on the hugely popular Maruti Alto. The Alto is the world's largest-selling small car, with global sales of 300,000 units in 2010.