New Delhi: General Motors India is celebrating the first anniversary of the introduction of the Chevrolet brand in India in style. Under the banner "For a Special Journey Called Life," it is hosting a series of special activities and displaying several Chevrolet products in THE CAPITAL.

GM India rolled out the Chevrolet Forester SUV in February 2003 and the Chevrolet Optra sedan in late July 2003. Both the vehicles have exceeded the expectations of the customers from across the country and have emerged as leaders in their respective segments in this short time.

"Chevrolet has taken the country by storm," said Aditya Vij, President and Managing Director of GM India. "We are committed to building on our early success and making Chevrolet the most admired and preferred vehicle brand in India just like it is in market after market around the globe. More new and exciting Chevrolet products specifically designed for the Indian market are in the pipeline and new initiatives are afoot."

The Optra and Forester have won seven major automobile awards over the past year. The Optra received the prestigious BBC World "Wheels" Car of the Year, BBC World "Wheels" Viewers Choice, and Best Car in its Segment. The Forester won the CNBC Autocar - Viewers Choice & Best Value for Money and CNBC Autocar - Best Drivers Car & BS Motoring - Import Car of the Year.

As part of Chevrolet's first-anniversary celebrations, Delhi is playing host to a Chevrolet Rally. Organised in conjunction with the Heritage Motoring Club of India and kicked off today by U.S. Ambassador to India David Mulford, the rally features a range of new and vintage Chevrolet cars driven by their proud owners. Special Chevrolet prizes are being offered in three categories: Best Vintage Car, Best Classic Car and Best Out of Towner.

In addition, the US Ambassador Mr. David Mulford today released a commemorative book on Chevrolet's distinguished history. With stunning visuals, it tells the story of the Chevrolet brand, its products and its presence in India. It will be distributed with a leading automotive publication and sold through leading bookstores.

As a special treat for automobile connoisseurs, General Motors is displaying one of the world's most popular sports cars, the legendary Chevrolet Corvette. The 2004 commemorative edition,
which marks Corvette's 50th anniversary, will be displayed in GM showrooms in Delhi throughout March after warming the hearts of car lovers in Mumbai and appearing at a drag race event there organised by Autocar magazine. Following Delhi, the Corvette will be displayed in several other cities across the country. A special 40-foot trailer has been designed to transport the Corvette.

A series of other promotions are planned to celebrate Chevrolet's first anniversary in India.

GM India is running a Chevrolet Celebrations Contest at its dealerships where the Chevrolet Corvette is being displayed. Prizes include a home theatre system, miniature Corvette models, Chevrolet jackets, Chevrolet wall calendars, and "I Love my Chevy" T-shirts, coffee mugs and stickers. The contest is being promoted through Radio Mirchi and GM India's Web site, www.gm.co.in.

Chevrolet was established in 1909 by William Durant, the founder of General Motors, and Louis Chevrolet, a leading racecar driver. In 1911, the first Chevrolet rolled off the assembly line. Over the years, Chevrolet has become and remains one of the best-selling brands of cars and trucks not only in North America but also around the world. Last year, more than 3.5 million Chevrolets were sold worldwide.

The Chevrolet Optra, a gracefully proportioned vehicle with a distinctive European flair, was penned by world-renowned Italian design house Pininfarina. Manufactured domestically by GM India, the four-door notchback luxury sedan is available in 1.6 and 1.8-liter variants.

The Chevrolet Forester SUV was designed and is built by Japanese all-wheel-drive specialist Fuji Heavy Industries, a global partner of GM. Since its introduction in India, it has proven to be a very attractive alternative to D-segment cars and for those looking for a vehicle with performance-oriented SUV traits.

GM India is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Motors Corporation. Besides the Chevrolet Optra, GM India also manufactures the Opel Corsa, Corsa Sail and Swing at its state-of-the-art facility in Halol, Gujarat. In addition, GM India sells the imported Opel Vectra and Chevrolet Forester.