General Motors do Brasil has updated its unique Chevrolet Celta compact hatchbackas a first step towards making the model the best-selling car in Brazil.
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The other part of the plan is boosting Gravataí plant output from 120,000 units a year to 210,000 by the end of 2007.
The Celta, based on the previous generation Opel Corsa, was introduced in 2000 and last year was the fourth best-selling vehicle in Brazil at about 10,000 units a month. The leading Volkswagen Gol sold 15,000 units.
The Celta facelift is intended to give GM’s low-cost car a more sophisticated look. It has new headlamps, bumper, grille and bonnet. Frontal design is based on the new, unique Brazilian Vectra (actually based on the previous generation Astra) and the Celta also has a new rear bumper and tailgate. Inside, the vehicle has a new dashboard – with apparent GM-Daewoo styling cues – and restyled centre console and steering wheel.
Mechanicals are unchanged. There is a 1.0-litre flexfuel engine and a 1.4-litre petrol-only unit.
The 1.4-litre engine gains a flexfuel system in the second half of the year when the automaker also unveils a new sedan version.
The Brazilian-designed Celta is sold there and also shipped to others Latin American countries.
In Argentina it is badged as the Suzuki Fun.
Rogério Louro
