Great Wall Motor Mulls Building Factory in India

China's Great Wall Motor Co. is in talks about erecting an assembly plant in India that would begin building vehicles for the local market by about 2015, according to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers.

Great Wall says only that it is developing a plan to enter the Indian market. The country's SUV segment up 62% in the April-November period is the bright spot in India's otherwise sluggish auto market.

The maker of cars and SUVs is holding discussions with Indian government, industry and supplier officials and considering locations in the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, SIAM reports. The trade group notes that the Chinese company would be the first foreign automaker to operate in India without a joint venture partner.

Great Wall already one of China's largest auto exporters has said it aims to double its annual sales to 1.3 million units by 2015 by expanding overseas. The company currently sells vehicles outside China in such markets as Russia and South Africa

India's fast-growing SUV segment has already attracted Chrysler Group LLC's Jeep brand. The company said last week it would begin selling Jeeps there in the third quarter of 2013.