Is GM India planning to launch Baojun 630?

Looks like GM’s top brass is reading IAB with keen interest. In November last year we brought you a speculative story on the Baojun 630. In the story, we questioned whether it is a wise strategy for GM to just have one sedan in the entry level segment. If Autobild India is to be believed, the Baojun 630 is indeed coming to the Indian shores.

Firstly about the car itself -

The Baojun 630 is based on the same platform as the Optra and is powered by a Roewe-sourced 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 105 hp (78 kW / 106 PS) and 135 Nm (100 lb-ft) of torque. But this surprising package of goodness is only priced at USD 7,000 in China, which in India would mean only just around 4 lakhs rupees.

Now look at the entire proposition -

To be very frank, Chinese cars aren’t particularly good looking cars. But unlike most Chinese cars, this one actually looks good. The engine specs are definitely good enough to take on C segment. So for around 4 lakhs, you get a decent looking car coupled with basic, no nonsense features and not-bad-for-the-money interior and a sedan to take care of your daily office commutes.

The competition in the entry level sedan market is all set to heat up in the coming months. Currently dominated by the Swift Dzire, this segment is heating up with the entry of the Toyota Etios and will soon see some more action from the Fiesta Classic and the soon-to-come Sonic sedan (a.k.a new Aveo).

OR

Does GM see a upper C segment contender in the Baojun 630. The engine specs certainly compliment this idea. Certainly, more features and functionalities can be added to the Baojun 630 to make it a C+ sedan. Also, GM doesn’t really have a strong contender in the C segment. The Optra is getting old and it cannot be replaced because the Cruze is already present in the market. Thus it makes sense to cut off the Optra franchise and start a new story all over again to take on the likes of the new Fiesta, new Verna and Nissan Sunny.

What do you think of the Baojun 630? The comments section awaits your opinion