The upcoming Auto Expo in New Delhi will see the launch of General Motors’ small car Chevrolet Beat. The current portfolio is filled with Spark and Aveo U-VA and GM is planning to redefine the existing models like U-V instead of withdrawing them. A new model of Captiva is also in the offing for next year.
The Chevrolet Beat will be in 1.2lit petrol model @RS4-5lakh and the diesel model will follow soon. This small car is Beat for India and other markets is Spark. The car is built with indigenous specifications – suspension and powertrain found in Korean model are no more here. GM dares that this small car will vie with Swift, Ritz and Hyundai i10.
Having sensed the sting at the pricing of Spark, GM has awakened to fix the cost of this Beat, said its president of India. The company’s Talegaon plant will take care of producing this Beat as the Spark will be shifted to Halol in Gujarat. GM is optimistic to reach the 2 lakh mark by 2012 (from the current 70000 units). GM sees the scope of growth only in the new models including the Beat, new passenger and LCVs (in association with Shanghai Automotive of China).
The company is on the mission of grabbing the customers for the price factor, since there is a proposal for more brands from Chevrolet segment and Cadillac brands. The sale figure of the company for November is 7118 units (against 4307 units last year same period), which comprises 4202 units of Chevrolet Spark, 1264 units of Chevrolet Tavera, 524 units of Aveo U-VA, 412 units of Aveo, 518 units of Cruze, 114 units of Optra and 84 units of Captiva.