Chinese sport utility vehicle (SUV) maker Great Wall Motors (GWM) is planning to invest INR16.76bn ($288m) to build a new production plant at Pune in the Indian state of Maharashtra.
Claimed to be the automaker's first plant in India, the new facility is expected to commence serial production by 2016.
A person with direct knowledge about the development was cited by The Economic Times as saying that GWM has also considered Chinese government-owned Beiqi Foton Motor Company's decision to set up its commercial vehicles facility at Khed near Pune.
"The proximity factor is expected to help both the companies achieve back-end synergies," the person said.
Prior to finalizing Pune as the suitable location for the new plant, the firm earlier considered locations in other Indian states including Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.
Additionally, GWM's first model to be launched in the country under the Chinese brand will be its Haval H5 SUV, which will be unveiled along with a few other models in the upcoming 2014 Auto Expo to be held in New Delhi during February.
