While GM in USA has filed for bankruptcy, Karl Slym, president and MD of GM India, speaks to Gayatri Verma on why India should put its faith in Chevrolet

•If GM India has always been safe from the effects of Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Why has the company not taken steps to boost customer confidence? Sales have fallen 21 per cent between January and April.

I think until the 1st of June it was going to be speculation. I think now that we’ve seen exactly what’s going to happen and the fact that GM in India is not part of the filing but part of new GM, that’s when you can provide clarity and a new message. The most important thing we did was introduce the Chevrolet Promise, ensuring the consumers they will get three years of service and maintenance free of charge, and it was part of the package of the Spark. I think this was a right step.

•Is bankruptcy and the launch of the LPG Spark in the same week just a coincidence?

Well that wasn’t planned either so some of that sure is coincidence. But it also helps because now people can see there is no impact on India, new cars are still being rolled out. We did intend for it to be out in May or June.

•Given the Chevrolet brand is going to remain with GM, does that mean you will once again be able to depend on your parent company as a funding option?

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