GM India launches Chevrolet Sail saloon, plans rollout of Enjoy MPV in first quarter

New Delhi, February 1, 2013: General Motors India plans to roll out its next new model for India -- the Chevrolet Enjoy MPV -- in the first quarter of this year while it drives growth during 2013 on the Sail platform.

Speaking to Autocar Professional on the sidelines of the launch of the Chevrolet Sail saloon in New Delhi, Lowell Paddock, president and managing director of GM India, said, “Our focus during the year is on a strong launch for the Sail notchback with the notchback to support the growth of the Sail U-VA hatch. We will continue our momentum on both the Beat versions, especially the Beat diesel as it is still the most fuel-efficient vehicle in India. The Enjoy is coming at the end of the first quarter. We have steady volumes on the Tavera while the Cruze continues as a prestige vehicle.”

GM India has launched the new Sail saloon in both petrol and diesel trims. While the pricing for the 1.2-litre petrol base model starts at Rs 4.99 lakh and increases to Rs 6.41 lakh for the LT ABS version, the 1.3-litre diesel is priced at Rs 6.29 lakh for the base version with the top- end LT ABS model costing Rs 7.51 lakh (all prices, ex-showroom Delhi).

The Sail is built on a new global passenger car platform developed for fast-growing emerging markets. While it was originally designed at the PATAC centre in China, engineers at GM’s Technical Centre at Bangalore spent almost two years refining the platform for the Indian market.

The Sail saloon’s 1.3-litre SDE Smartech common-rail diesel engine was developed by GM’s Diesel Engine Technical Centre at Turin in Italy with the support of engineers at Pune and Bangalore in India to strike a balance between cost, performance and fuel efficiency. The 4-cylinder engine, which develops 79bhp, is claimed to deliver fuel economy of 22.1kpl.

The 1.2 Smartech petrol engine was developed by the GM Technical Centre at Bangalore in association with the carmaker’s powertrain plant at Talegaon. This facility currently manufactures the Sail models and has a production capacity of 140,000 units per annum. The Sail comes equipped with a premium F17 transmission which is popular in Europe.

According to Paddock, the new Sail saloon’s steering, suspension and braking systems have been fine-tuned to deliver taut and tight handling that enhances road feedback and connectivity with the driver.

The Sail U-VA hatch sold 4,200 units last year since its launch in the last quarter of 2012. Paddock says sales have not been exactly up to the company’s expectations since the launch as October and November were very tough months for the market and December was a heavy discounting month. But now he is optimistic that the Beat, Enjoy and both the Sail U-VA hatch and notchback will drive the volumes for GMI.

GMI is also expanding its dealer and service network in the country to support new car sales from the current 285 sales points, 278 service outlets and 75 used car outlets in 55 cities.

Photograph: Lowell Paddock, president and MD of GM India, and Rajesh Singh, VP (Sales), GM India.

SHOBHA MATHUR