Move over Gandhi, here comes the Corvette. In a move that may come as a shock to many, GM has recently discussed plans to move a number of units to India next year. The units in question would be limited to high-end sports cars such as the Corvette and other models if demand warrants it.

Although many feel that the Corvette is an American icon that should remain in the United States as long as possible, GM is not alone in its search for a product that will be accepted around the world. Other brands like Nissan, Porsche and Ford have also recently laid the groundwork for a move to India and all would send their top-tier sports models. Even Mercedes and Honda tipped their hats by sending some of their models to the Delhi Motor Expo last year, though they are keeping their mouths shut on the subject of a move in India.

It all comes down to dollars and cents. While much of India is poor and there is no need for high-end Corvettes, there is also a higher class that has money and yearns for the legend of American sports cars. Knowing that, why wouldn’t GM send in some Corvettes?

India has no high-end sports cars made in the country and has rarely imported any in significant numbers, but the surge in demand and the willingness of GM and other manufacturers for a supply brings it all together.

India has a car manufacturer called Tata Motors, but their vehicles are “every man” and extremely affordable. However, along with affordability comes a tremendous lack of power and a lack of safety standards that keep the car out of the United States. Even though the country of India as a whole has embraced the smaller economy cars, there is still the upper echelon that continues to want more.

India seems to be the next hot spot for automakers to go for their high-end sports models. In the past, and certainly in the future, a trend will emerge and once one dog tag enters the country, the rest will surely follow. So it becomes a game of who can sell the most and establish a stronghold within the country. This is all in an effort to increase market share abroad, which translates to more units sold and more dollars in the bottom line.

Don’t get too upset though as GM has stated that they will only ship a limited number of Corvette units to India and sell them through a boutique specialty dealer. Even so, you can expect them to ship more if the supply dries up and the demand remains high.

2011 brings a lot of new adventures for Corvette simulators and apparently one of the new adventures could include India. Rather than just being an American icon, perhaps GM is trying to make the Corvette a global icon with India as a prime location to help achieve it.