General Motors, Asia Pacific spurred its motors by appointing Rajeev Chaba, President and Managing Director, GM India. He is often referred to as one of the most dynamic Managing Director in motor world today. He definitively is so. To head the Indian arm of the world’s largest automobile company General Motors, dynamism is prerequisite. Prior to his new appointment, Chaba had served as Chief Operating Officer of GM India and before that, he served as Director, Sales and Marketing, GM Japan where he facilitated restructuring of the GM business including significantly increasing the sales of Suzuki produced Chevrolet Cruz. Chaba began his career at GM India in 1995 as National Marketing Manager. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from IIM Bangalore. Prior to joining GM, he worked for an automotive group in the UAE. Rajeev has proved himself to be an asset with his diverse business experience that includes significant global experience. His exceptional leadership skills will play a key role in building upon the foundation set up by his predecessors in an extremely important market for the company.

After his coming, GM has taken a grand leap into the popularity charts of Indian vehicles. General Motors India announced the start of the Chevrolet Indian Revolution and unveiled three new Chevrolet passenger cars: the Chevrolet Aveo U-VA, Chevrolet Aveo and Chevrolet Optra SRV. All three vehicles were built at GM’s manufacturing facility in Halol. “All three cars are international products with latest technology and built to our quality standards of the highest order. They have been re-engineered based on extensive testing across the country to meet the specific needs of our customers, local driving conditions and regulations,” Chaba. General Motors India also launched the 2006 NY edition of the Chevrolet Tavera. With an additional 3rd row space and comfort, convenience and luxury features, the upgraded model takes India’s entire MUV segment to a new level. “The 2006 Chevrolet Tavera represents an extension of GM’s commitment to exceed customer expectations in our products and services.

Our new offering raises the bar in terms of value for money in its segment,” said Chaba. He is also looking to corner a 10 percent market share by 2010. An ever optimist, Chaba says "the Chevrolet was among the fastest growing car brands in India and would push up the company's sales on a higher trajectory. GM regards India as one of the key markets for investments," he said, adding that the company would be more aggressive in its approach. With him heading GM’s Indian engine, he is also extending capacity at its Halol plant in Gujarat from 60,000 units to 85,000 units with an investment of Rs 100 crore. This is also opening two additional parts distribution centre one each in Maharashtra and Delhi to compliment the existing ones at Halol and Chennai.

With the focus on increasing GM’s market share in India gradually to 10 per cent in the next three years, he says, "We are planning to launch two new cars in India each year beginning from 2006 and are targeting to sell about 160,000 cars a year by 2007-08." Chaba says, "Having a mini car in our portfolio is going to be pivotal in achieving the target." He is highly ambitious and committed to the Indian market. He looks at India as a very important and strategic base where wonders can be created. According to him the company has placed auto components orders worth $120 million with its vendors in India and the target in the next five years is to increase this to $1 billion. He is also planning to double the headcount at its R&D centre in Bangalore by the end of this year. The expansion plans in the production facility includes updates to the plastic paint shop, the assembly body shop, and some utilities. With Chaba behind the wheels, GM is looking forward to a smooth ride in the Indian auto industry.