Pitching its Trailblazer SUV in the midst of the festive season to garner higher sales, General Motors India has launched the new model at an introductory price of Rs 26.4 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The vehicle forms the first of the 10 new models announced by General Motors over the next five years as part of the renaissance of the Chevrolet brand in India. It will replace the existing Chevrolet Captiva.

In July this year, GM had already signaled its intention to invest $1 billion over this period with the majority to be spent on new product development with a smaller sum set aside for enhancing the Talegaon facility capability. 

The Chevrolet Trailblazer will be available only in one variant and comes via the CBU route, imported from Thailand. The American carmaker has no plans to locally assemble the Trailblazer and Arvind Saxena, president and MD of GM India, said at the launch that the pricing of the SUV is already very aggressive and competitive. Volumes have to be substantially high to look at the possibility of local assembly.

For the first five days the Trailblazer will be sold online on Amazon’s shopping portal at a reservation deposit of Rs 25,000. Deliveries will follow from local Chevrolet dealerships.

Pitched in the niche SUV segment it derives its power, all 197bhp of it, from a 2.8-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-diesel engine, which drives the rear wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. However there are no plans to introduce the 4-wheel SUV any time soon that may dent its sales.

The Trailblazer’s sub-10 second (9.89 seconds) 0-100kph time makes it the quickest SUV in its class, claims the company.

“The Trailblazer is Chevrolet’s toughest yet most refined SUV, offering premium ride and handling dynamics. It has a host of first-in-class features and the latest technology and design,” added Saxena.

The exteriors get first-in-class projector headlamps and fog lamps up front. A seven-seater the SUV gets a black and beige dual-tone theme in its interiors. It also offers a Camaro-style hooded instrument cluster with blue backlighting. Additional equipment includes leather seats with electrical driver-seat adjustment, a 50:50-split, fold-flat third row, cruise control, steering- mounted audio controls. It also gets a Bluetooth equipped, AUX and USB-enabled six-speaker audio system with a 7.0-inch touchscreen interface for its MyLink infotainment. 

On the safety front, the SUV offers dual front airbags, ABS, EBD, TCS and hydraulic panic-brake assist. It also features an ascent and descent assist system. The Trailblazer comes with a 3yr/100k km warranty and 24x7 roadside assistance.

The Chevrolet Trailblazer will be pitted against the Toyota Fortuner and the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport. 

As part of the company’s strategy to  boost exports to 30 percent of total production of 220,000 vehicles per year by 2025, GM India commenced exports of its Beat hatchback to Mexico last month and has exported about 3,000 units so far.

Saxena said that this year exports would constitute 20,000 units and next year would account for 50,000 vehicles, the majority being of the Beat. Exports of the Beat to Chile began last year with new markets in South America to be tapped in 2016.  These will be expanded further as new products roll out. Domestic sales would contribute 1.5 percent of the local market this year.