GM looks to expansion, export boost in Myanmar

[bazmlb]

More dealers, better customer service here towards sales goal of 57,000 units

GM plans to expand its business in Myanmar and boost exports, while domestically the automaker will add dealers and focus on customer service, both short and long term, with the goal of selling 57,000 units this year.

"We need to grow and consolidate this year. We need to work more on the professionalisation of the dealers, so that they stay with use for long and be part of the Chevrolet experience," Gustavo Colossi, vice president of sales, marketing and aftersales for General Motors Thailand, said yesterday.

GM's powertrain plant in Rayong is a start-of-the-art facility for engines. Thailand is the key production hub for the Traiblazer and Colorado, which are shipped to over 70 countries.

Thailand also supplies Australia, Africa, Asean and some parts of South America. Exports run at 44,000 units per year including the Trailblazer and Colorado. However, 80 per cent are Colorados.

Asean exports will increase because this will be the first full year of sales for the Spin.

The firm's Philippine sales have reached 500 units a month, making it one of the top 10 brands in the country. In Laos it has taken about 10 per cent of the market after commencing operations there last year.

GM has 104 dealers in Thailand and plans to increase the total to 110 by the middle of this year.

It will invest to improve the dealership network, provide a more complete corporate image for its dealerships and conduct training sessions.

It will launch upgraded versions of its vehicles. Under its special vehicles programme, all product lines will have models with some specific features.

The industry is expected to sell 1.2 million units this year. The firm last year sold 56,000 units for a market share of 4.4-4.6 per cent.

The industry was going strong in the first three months of last year because of the carryover from the year before and the first car buyer programme. But since then the industry has been in a steep decline, from 130,000 units per month to 90,000.

Chevrolet aims for the same volume it had last year, about 56,000-57,000 units.

"Actually the industry will go down this year," he said.

-- The Nation 2014-1-15

[umbanda]

Good news for Detroit workers!!!

Edited January 15, 2014 by umbanda

[SeaVisionBurma]

Thanks Baz!

[DagonKhan]

It will be interesting to see if they can persuade the Myanmar market to give up their love of Japanese vehicles.