After Spark, GM to launch second small car in India

[sudipt123]

Originally Posted by karanraheja

Seriously GM were offering so much discounts on Spark. The first few buyers of Spark will be banging their heads ! I think GM should launch the New U-va and also launch it with the 1.3 DDIS!! Maybe it will improve sales of U-va .
I aint sure if Beat will the car priced below Spark!

I read somewhere that GM does not have the license to use the MJD engines on GM-DAT vehicles. They continue to offer the MJD on opel cars in europe though.

[Mpower]

Originally Posted by GTO

With the several but inconsistent discounts and price corrections, it seems GM themselves cant decide how much the Spark is worth.

IIRC, they did the same with the Optra as well.

Originally Posted by jkdas

Very interesting. Why cant they just launch the Aveo or the Spark with a diesel engine instead of bringing in another model which will confuse their own customers.

I believe an all new 1.0 3cyl diesel is being designed and will be built in Pune plant. will probably be used in the Beat, Spark and UVA.

[vineethvazhayil]

Originally Posted by Mpower

IIRC, they did the same with the Optra as well.


I believe an all new 1.0 3cyl diesel is being designed and will be built in Pune plant. will probably be used in the Beat, Spark and UVA.

GM does have the Chevrolet Beat in its portfolio, but have they decided on a launch date for it?

[xPK]

Originally Posted by vineethvazhayil

GM does have the Chevrolet Beat in its portfolio, but have they decided on a launch date for it?

I read somewhere it will be in mid 2010. But IMO it might be out in 2009 itself. They are already saying "move to a new beat" ("start moving towards beat?") in their ad for spark music edition. I hope the "beat" is not just restricted to define music edition spark.

[vineethvazhayil]

hehe, surely not! Beat is a car they had showcased in some auto shows too. It is going to be a different car from Spark.

[SS-Traveller]

IMHO people seem to be very wary, in these times of recession, about buying GM and Ford cars. A couple of friends wanting to buy cars in the last few months, point-blank refused to look at the Optra and Spark, despite big discounts and tempting warranty schemes. One bought a Santro, the other bought a Civic.

Would GM introduce a new car in this scenario? And have any other members experienced this kind of anti-GM/Ford sentiments in the recent past?

[xPK]

Originally Posted by vineethvazhayil

hehe, surely not! Beat is a car they had showcased in some auto shows too. It is going to be a different car from Spark.

I'm also expecting beat to be released as "Beat" and not "Spark".

Comming back to the topic "which is the car",
here is some snippet from the news,

Originally Posted by The Economic Times

The model will not compete directly with TATA Motors' low-cost Nano but will be cheaper than GM's current lowest priced car in India, David Reilly, GM group vice-president, told a news conference on Monday.

About new Aveo U-VA,
It is supposed have 1.2L (but will be glad to see 1.4L as well). So I don't see a single chance of U-VA to be cheaper than current Spark. Hence they are definitely not talking about new U-VA (which I'm expecting to be placed against Ritz 1.2 and may be against Swift as well)

About Beat,
It is expected to have 1.0L and 1.2L petrol. I don't think Beat 1.0L will be cheaper than current Spark (actually it would be great if it does).

I don't recollect the source, but I remember reading somewhere, something like GM is planning to roll out lighter variant of spark with some 800cc engine, producing around 43 bhp. So this might be the car they are talking about.

So in near future, GM might have 3 hatches under their badge, Spark (0.8L), Beat (1.0L, 1.2L) and U-VA(1.2L).

But I wonder how near that future is.

[sidindica]

the new small car will be simply called "mini" in the Indian market,powered by an all new 1.0L 3 pot motor. launch is scheduled this diwali and will continue to be sold alongside the matiz and aveo.

where as in rest of the world, it may replace the matiz.

[nikhil3456]

Originally Posted by SS-Traveller

IMHO people seem to be very wary, in these times of recession, about buying GM and Ford cars. A couple of friends wanting to buy cars in the last few months, point-blank refused to look at the Optra and Spark, despite big discounts and tempting warranty schemes. One bought a Santro, the other bought a Civic.

Would GM introduce a new car in this scenario? And have any other members experienced this kind of anti-GM/Ford sentiments in the recent past?

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian...ml#post1288317 (GM India's future once Mothership falls)

[CarsPG]

Originally Posted by sidindica

the new small car will be simply called "mini" in the Indian market,powered by an all new 1.0L 3 pot motor. launch is scheduled this diwali and will continue to be sold alongside the matiz and aveo.

where as in rest of the world, it may replace the matiz.

sidindica,

Thanks for the info. Is the launch still on as scheduled? Will the pricing be between the Spark and the Aveo?

Thanks!

[amit]

Originally Posted by xPK

About Beat,
It is expected to have 1.0L and 1.2L petrol. I don't think Beat 1.0L will be cheaper than current Spark (actually it would be great if it does).

Beat will be positioned higher then Spark.