Team-BHP - Premier rolls out the *petrol* Rio

High Points:

- Link to Diesel Rio Thread - 1st impressions

- Premier introduces the petrol Rio across major metros and select Tier II cities.

- Powered by a 1173 cc engine, delivering 77 BHP.

- RiO pricing now starts at Rs 4.7 lakhs.

Premier rolls out the *petrol* Rio-premier-rio-specs.jpg

How is it doing in terms of sales? Honestly, I'm yet to see a single one here in Pune on road! Saw the only showroom i ever did on my way back riding from Manali towards Delhi somewhere near Panipat i think.

The diesel one is a sales dud,i wonder who is going to buy this petrol one:Frustrati,which engine is it?
Instead,they should have brought in the version with 1.3MJD engine.

I have seen three RiOs so far, one at Powai, another at Badlapur - Neral stretch and the third in my office locality, each sighting at least a year apart. So it does sell in small numbers.

There's been no marketing campaigns other than a few print ads, and the Premier dealer at Kurla didn't have any test vehicles, either the Rio or the Sigma (anyone remember that?), nor did they ever procure one. But it looks as if the vehicle has been selling a little, or else the company wouldn't be working on petrol and CRDi powerplants.

It would be interesting to see how the RiO fares. Another capable vehicle which has now been pushed into oblivion is the Rhino. There's absolutely no news on this vehicle, and all the news the ICML (Rhino's manufacturer) are giving out is about their engine manufacturing and a global vehicle platform.

Quote:

Originally Posted by honeybee (Post 2548209)

You are pretty lucky.Three rio sightings.Am sure even some dealers are yet to see three.:uncontrol

Rhino??I see at least 1-2 rhinos every day.

By the way i live right next to the showroom:uncontrol

WOW..that's some strategy. At a time when manufacturers are trying to conjure up a diesel mill for their petrol model, we have a company that launches a petrol car, that after it's diesel model is a failure. Wonder if they have a strategy at all!!

Whats the point..Forget Rio on road, haven't seen a Premier dealership in Bangalore. The earlier report said that Premier will be making 500 units till March 2010. Have they been able to move them? and where they are sourcing the engine from?

Just realized, from sideways, the vehicle looks like the first generation RAV4.

I have seen two here in Hyderabad. And I am not sure if the third one I saw was among the first two that I saw, but it was parked in a apartment complex, closer to my place.
I find it pretty good from outside to be fair to it. And only if the interiors , engine and safety aspect is worked upon, IMO, this thing has potential. What it needs urgently though is proper ad campaigns. People are not even aware of it's existence.

IMHO still costlier by min 1 lac.
Starting price should be around 3.5 lac , i.e at par with entry level variants of petrol hatchbacks.

Compare to hatchbacks, sole advantage is SUV’ish look / high GC.

Disadvantages are
1.) Lack of service network and unproven long term reliability, poor re-sale value due to these factors.
2.) Handling (In Dippy’s words from above thread after quick test drive “I would not rule out toppling at high speeds” )
3.) Poor fit and finish.

Just wondering What this earth shattering Launch by Premier is going to do to SUV market including the XUV?

Premier Rio Joker amongst cars :uncontrol
(read like Martuti ad SX4 Man amongst cars)

Only 1 question - Why?

I am yet to see a Rio anywhere. This is an incompetent product from an incompetent company and we all know that. Doesn't the management know that yet?

It is prev-gen Daihatsu Terios body indeed. Is it the reloaded 118NE Petrol engine?

Maybe Premier got some orders from a Petroleum rich African country & they though what the heck lets try if someone buys this in Diesel crazy India.

MY WILD IMAGINATIONS....