Wale made the remark on June 8 in Guangzhou in an interview with Automotive News China during the launch of the all-new Buick LaCrosse sedan.

 

He said Shanghai GM will launch two more new models under the Buick brand and four new Chevrolet-badged models between now and 2011.

 

Asked if these new products will include any self-developed model from the joint venture Shanghai GM - like the Lavida developed by Shanghai Volkswagen Automotive Co. - Wale said "at least one".

 

"Any model SGM is developing will be included in the new products plan," he said.

 

Wale did not give further details about the models.

 

But supplier sources say Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC), an r&d center jointly run by GM and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp., plans to launch an inexpensive car targeting China and other emerging markets.

 

The new car is due out sometime in the second half of this year, sources say.

 

Wale also confirmed GM China will launch as many as 30 new models in the coming five years to achieve its goal of doubling annual vehicle sales in China to 2 million units.

 

GM sold 1,089,061 vehicles in China in 2008, including 610,033 microcars from SAIC-GM-Wuling Automobile Co., a South China-based joint venture in which GM holds a 34 percent stake.

 

In the first half of this year, GM's two joint ventures in China - Shanghai GM and SAIC-GM-Wuling - sold a total 813,441 vehicles in China, including 195,989 Buick cars and 121,833 Chevrolet models, according to figures released by GM China.