US bailout reassures GM/Thailand

They aim to continue development of auto technolo¬

gy, ensure long-term success and reassure both existing

and potential customers of the automaker's viability,

Steve Carlisle, president of General Motors Southeast

Asia Operations and Chevrolet Sales (Thailand), said

yesterday.

GM is committed to successfully executing its restruc¬

turing plan, with objectives that include achieving and

sustaining long-term viability, global competitiveness

and energy efficiency, he said.

The carmaker appreciates the Bush administration's

extending a financial bridge to GM at this critical time

for the American auto industry, he said.

GM remains committed to providing great cars, trucks

and crossovers, as well as leading technologies, to its

customers.

It is committed to successfully executing the plan it

submitted and remains confident in the future of General

Motors.

"Beside our clear strategic direction, other creative ini¬

tiatives will be implemented to boost sales, enhance pro¬

duction performance and control all unnecessary expens¬

es. We also aim to create flexibility in our working sys¬

tem by rotating tasks and assignments," he said.

Despite the financial crisis that gripped the world

during the second half of last year, GM posted record

annual sales in Asia-Pacific and outperformed the indus¬

try as a whole.

It was once again led by growth in China, which set a

company sales record. GM's sales also improved in India,

Japan and parts of Asean.

As a result, GM was once again profitable in Asean in

2008. For the region, GM posted overall sales of 32,023

compared with 29,255 in 2007, which translated to a 9.4-

per-cent increase.

The past year also saw positive results for GM

Thailand, which recorded sales of 23,343, up 9.9 per cent

from 21,240 in 2007.

This year, GM Thailand and Chevrolet Sales

(Thailand) will focus on implementing a suitable mar¬

keting plan for the current economic situation, further

enhancing aftersales service, as well as continuing to

develop new products to meet the requirements of each

and every single Chevrolet owner.

"GM Thailand and Chevrolet Sales (Thailand) have

in place a series of measures to help us make it through

the current global economic crisis with a strong focus on

cash conservation and cost reduction.

"As an international market leader, we continue to

emphasise quality, safety and cost, which are important

aspects for creating a stable future for our company and

our stakeholders.

"In 2009, Chevrolet plans to develop every aspect of

our business and continue to play a leadership role in the

alternative fuel vehicle market," Carlisle added.