Chevrolet rolls out first Beat hatchback for export to Mexico

General Motors India has announced the rollout of the first Chevrolet Beat hatchback for export to Mexico. The central American country is the company's second major export market. 

General Motors' manufacturing facility at Talegaon, Maharashtra will start shipping cars to Mexico from next month. Sales of the Beat in Mexico are scheduled to begin in December 2015.

The Chevrolet Beat is available in more than 70 markets around the world, primarily as the Chevrolet Spark. Chevrolet has sold more than 1 million Sparks and Beats worldwide.

General Motors began vehicle exports to Chile from its Talegaon facility in September 2014. It exported approximately 1,000 vehicles last year and is targeting exports of 19,000 vehicles this year.

The company is also exploring other markets for exports in an attempt to drive capacity utilization at the Talegaon facility.

GM CEO Mary Barra was in India recently and announced an additional investment of $ 1 billion. The Talegaon facility, which currently has a production capacity of 1,30,000 vehicles annually, will increase its base capacity to 2,20,000 vehicles by 2025. It will also become a global export hub for GM, with up to 30% of its annual production planned for markets outside India.