"We would like to have strong presence in the small car segment in the coming years while considering the potential it offers in the country. That is why we have targeted to attain a market share of 15-20 per cent by 2010," General Motors India General Manager (Sales) Sumit Sawhney told reporters in Ludhiana.

The annual market size of the small car segment in India stands at about 7-8 lakh cars and it grows at a pace of 15-18 per cent. The segment accounts for 70 per cent share in the domestic automotive sector.

Although General Motors has made a late entry into the small car segment with the launch of Chevrolet Aveo U-VA and Chevrolet Spark in India, the company plans to sell 28,000-30,000 units of both these models by the end of this calendar year.

"By the end of this year, our small cars will have a share of 45 per cent in our total sales," he asserted. When asked about the company's plans to launch another small car in future, Sawhney remained affirmative but declined to divulge any detail in this regard.

The company, which aims to attain a market share of 10 per cent by 2010, is targeting to sell around 75,000 cars by the end of this year from 38,000 cars sold in year 2006.

When asked about expanding the dealers' network in the country, Sawhney said the company plans to take the total strength of its outlets from 95 to 110-115 by this year-end.

Similarly, the strength of service centres would also be expanded to 140-150 from 110 at present, he said. PTI CHS LR