General Motors India is to add the Chevrolet Sail, Enjoy and an updated Spark to its locally-built range by year-end, killing off the outdated Aveo, U-VA and Optra models at the same time.
GM has two production plants in India: Talegaon near Pune, and Halol in the state of Gujarat. They build Chevrolet-badged small cars, crossovers and SUVs. The division is currently preparing to switch both facilities over to production of new models, including two small minivans that are based on models licensed from China’s SAIC GM Wuling joint venture.
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The majority of the new models are expected to offer diesel engines as the fuel continues to rise towards holding an almost 50% share of the local market. The trend has accelerated month by month, ever since petrol prices were deregulated in 2010 and began to creep steadily upwards. Indian buyers are increasingly attracted to diesel vehicles for their generally superior economy.
The new Chevy Sail will be available with the 1,248cc four-cylinder diesel engine that was co-developed with Fiat. The car, which is based upon the New Sail that Shanghai GM builds in China, is due to be launched in India as both a sedan and a five-door hatchback. Thereafter follows the facelifted Spark, and towards year-end, the Enjoy, a minivan.
GM India launched a new, 2.2-litre diesel version of the Chevrolet Captiva earlier this week as well as a 2.0-litre diesel Cruze sedan. The Captiva is an import but the Cruze is built at the Halol plant.
Author: Glenn Brooks
