The Corsa would compete with Maruti Esteem and Cielo, he said without divulging the price tag. Commenting on the performance of Opel Astra, which was launched in the Indian market in 1996, the GM official said in the last calendar year, nearly 3500 cars were sold in the country. Chaba said the Gujarat plant of GM India was producing Opel Astra, and the current level of indigenisation was 30 per cent. By next year, the level of indigenisation would go up to 70 per cent. The plant, which has a capacity of 12,000 cars per year, is running at a capacity utilisation of 40 %.

When asked whether GM was planning to compete in thesmall car segment, the company said there were no such plan.