The millennium car from the General Motors stable is here. The company's Indian subsidiary has launched the Opel Corsa, a hatchback sedan with features intended for Indian conditions. The Indian launch formed part of the car major's simultaneous Corsa plans for three continents – America, Africa and Asia.

India has a significant place in General Motors' scheme of things. GM's president and chief operating officer G. Richard Wagoner, who launched the car in New Delhi, did not attempt to hide this. He told the gathering: "The all-new Opel Corsa represents a significant milestone for our presence here. If we have to be successful as a global automotive player, we have to be successful in India."

Mr Wagoner said General Motors has spent millions in researching the unique conditions in India to develop and introduce this premium product. The car features the latest German design, but suitably altered to meet the Indian conditions.

The Corsa is a true world car, having sold more than eight million units in 75 global markets, Mr Wagoner said at the launch. He hoped the car's style, performance and reliability will soon make it a preferred vehicle of the Indian people.

The Corsa will roll out of General Motors India's Halol, Gujarat, plant in January 2000, to be in time for the Auto Expo at New Delhi.

The car will be another addition to the crowded lower end of the mid-size luxury car segment in India. Ford, with its Ikon, and Hyundai, with its Accent, are already in the marketplace, competing with Maruti Udyog, Fiat and Daewoo. The Corsa's price will be announced during the Auto Expo, and it will be available for sale in the first quarter of 2000.

The Corsa is an ideal city car equipped with standard features designed to offer comfort and luxury. The car is available in two 'e-TEC' engine variants – 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre. Both have microprocessor-controlled multi-port fuel injection systems which are Euro II compliant. For the time being, there will be only petrol versions.

Says R.C. Swando, General Motor India's president and managing director, "The new Corsa is targeted at the style-conscious, young-at-heart upwardly mobile families. It highlights General Motors' special emphasis on environmental compatibility, thanks to its easy-to-recycle plastics and fabrics, asbestos-free brake/clutch linings, pollen dust micro-filter, CFC-free air conditioning and water based paints."

The car has a 'space share design' providing for good interior space. It has compact exteriors to ensure a low turning radius and thereby easy manoeuvrability. Other customised features include:

• reinforced transmission to suit city driving
• reinforced suspension with gas charged shock absorbers to ensure comfortable ride and better road grip
• engine under body protection plate
• engine recalibration to suit Indian fuel quality conditions
• high ground clearance
• pollen micro dust filter to provide near pollution-free drive
• engine and body insulation systems to effectively minimise noise, heat and to ensure water and dust resistance

• 'Synpro Safety System', which the company says is a landmark in automotive safety.