The beginning of a journey called life!

In India, Chevrolet is not just a car. It is a name that evokes memories of the dawn of India’s motoring. Chevrolet cars were first imported to India between 1918 and 1928. These mainly consisted of small four-cylinder Tourers, because they were fuel efficient and simple to run. The Nawabs of Hyderabad – the quintessential rich class of their times, used Chevrolet Tourers as official cars.

An icon of glamour and style, Chevrolet became the signature car of the swish set of the sixties and seventies. Maharajas, freedom fighters and the common man – Chevrolet has ferried them all.

General Motors (GM), Chevrolet’s parent company, was the first automobile company to open an assembly plant in India in 1928. Its first office was set up in Mumbai and assembly plant in Sewree.

Production started with the National Series AB Touring. The AB series came with Chevrolet’s well proven and reliable 171 cubic inches, 24.7hp four-cylinder engine. It featured Chevrolet’s first four-wheel mechanical brakes and wooden wheels. In the first year of production, 13,903 GM cars and trucks were built at Sewree, including products from other GM brands.

In 1930, the Indian market became even more competitive as Ford introduced the popular Model A, whose all-steel body made it a great success. Chevrolet replied with a revolutionary six-cylinder engine that developed 46 horsepower. And it was this very car that gave Chevrolet its highest sales in India in 1931.

Sadly, the years 1952-53 marked the end of an era for the Indian automobile industry. Government policy forced General Motors India to shut shop, along with other foreign car companies.

Chevrolet has long been associated with the silver screen, often playing a pivotal role and a star in its own right. Chevrolet, a standalone performer has now become the symbol of perseverance and excellence for the connoisseur who is always in the spotlight.

The most sought after Chevrolet body styles in Bollywood were the convertibles, the two-door Bel Air, the four-door pillar less Bel Air, and the Bel Air station-wagon, called the Nomad.

We also see other Chevrolets in Bollywood such as the Biscayne, 1962, upon which ‘hot’ star Garam Dharam was spotted; The Chevrolet cab also played a stellar role with Dev Anand as its Taxi Driver (1954); In China Town (1962) Shammi Kapoor romanced Shakila in a Chevrolet convertible; Kishore Kumar’s golden voice sang, 'Yeh Dil Na Hota Bechara in the film Jewel thief (1967); Shararat (2003), the Impala SS was driven by Abhishek Bachchan. These are just few of the iconic films starring the Chevrolet.

Chevrolet has been associated with the Apsara Awards since 2010. Chevrolet Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Award is an accolade given by the Bollywood film industry to recognize outstanding performances by its members. Originated by filmmaker and scholar Amit Khanna, the Apsara Awards have been one of the major award events in Bollywood since 2004.

First of its kind, Chevrolet GIMA is the platform for recognizing Indian Music Artists of both Film and Non-Film genres. Chevrolet is proud to celebrate its 100 year heritage with the first-ever Global Indian Music Awards.

In the years to come, Chevrolet GIMA, much like the company’s history of excellence in motoring, will be an equivalent of excellence in Indian music and music artists!