SAIC Motor announces India plans, to start operations by 2019

China-based carmaker - SAIC Motor, has announced its plans of entering the Indian market by 2019. The company has revealed that it will be setting up a fully-owned manufacturing base in the country, which will start operations by the end of 2019.

SAIC will enter India with its MG brand and will operate under the MG Motor India brand. It is currently in the process of ascertaining the location of its manufacturing plant and building a product strategy for the Indian market. Former GM India CEO - Rajeev Chaba will be heading operations of MG Motor India. Meanwhile, P. Balendran - another GM India veteran, has been appointed as the Executive Director of the firm.

SAIC is said to be in talks with General Motors India regarding the purchase of the latter's Halol plant in Gujarat. General Motors has already stopped operations at this plant. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) had cleared the plant's acquisition earlier this year. However, SAIC later released a statement conveying that an official deal will be signed only after GM India settles all labour issues regarding the facility.