Archive for the ‘Chevrolet’ Category

GM talks strategy and new cars (incl Chevy SUV by 2010 end)

Chevy Cruze – 300 Series Platform fueling growth for GM India

If we talk of growing trends, here is one that certainly happening. Car makers appear to be targeting tier II and tier III markets. We saw it in the case of Ford, which has just opened 13 dealerships in these markets. Now GM India is pursuing a strategy to improve sales in rural markets.

The Chinese will also be entering the Indian commercial and passenger vehicle markets by 2011. Recently, Shanghai Automotive Industrial Corporation (SAIC) took a 50% stake in GM India and will enter the Indian market in 2011.

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Entry posted on February 18th, 2010 and filed under Chevrolet, General motors

Busy times for GM India

The Chevrolet Beat keeping GM India busy

These are busy times for GM India. The company has announced that it would introduce a second shift at its Talegaon plant to meet the order book of Chevrolet Beat. The shift is being introduced as the Talegaon plant manufactures the Spark and the Beat and both these cars have received a good response in the market.

GM will also be introducing a third shift in their Halol plant which manufactures Aveo, Optra and Tavera to meet market demand. Here is an example of how different markets work.

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Entry posted on February 17th, 2010 and filed under Chevrolet, General motors

Spied (once) again – Chevrolet next generation Aveo U-VA

The new Aveo U-VA is an evolution of the current model and comes with a long wheelbase

The side shot of the next generation Chevrolet Aveo U-VA which will co-exist with the existing model when it hits the market next year with diesel engine, reveals the car’s extended wheelbase. The rear passengers aren’t going to complain, that’s for sure.

The next gen Aveo hatchback was previewed at last month’s Detroit Auto show as the Aveo RS concept. Regular reader’s of IAB would have got bored of this car as we have been featuring it right from last year using batches of spyshots. The interior spyshot of the the Aveo helped in understanding its connection with the recently launched Chevrolet Beat.

The yet to be named (if you’re in India) Aveo hatch will be launched with at least one diesel engine manufactured here in India. It belongs to the new breed of Chevys – the Beat and Cruze are its siblings.

More updates on this vehicle as soon as we learn about the displacement, power and other options.

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Entry posted on February 15th, 2010 and filed under Chevrolet, Spy pictures

Rendering – Chevrolet’s new Aveo for India

President and Managing Director of Indiia, Mr.Karl Slym told IAB that next year, GM will bring this hatchback to India under a different name. Like the path followed with the Chevrolet Beat, which essentially is a Spark replacement in Europe, the Chevrolet Aveo replacement which is the T-Series offering of the 300 platform you see here will be sold alongside in India.

We don’t know anything about the engine options. Possibly the 1.2-liter engine offered on the Beat could be tuned for slightly more power/torque and placed under the bonnet of the entry-level model. Interior spy shots of the next generation Aveo revealed the presence of automatic transmission and steering column mounted instrument cluster.

The rear door handle, like on the Chevrolet Beat, is hidden away in the C-Pillar. Ed Welburn, Global design chief of GM disclosed to us that the new range of models would share components to reduce input costs. We have to wait and see which these components are.

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Entry posted on February 8th, 2010 and filed under Chevrolet, Renderings

Spied – Clear shots of new Chevrolet Captiva diesel

The new Chevrolet Captiva comes with a 2.2-liter engine and a different front facia

Half way through 2010, General Motors will launch the facelifted Chevrolet Captiva with a bigger and more efficient 2.2-liter diesel engine. According to earlier reports the new engine has been designed by VM Motori in Italy keeping in mind the hard-hitting Euro 5 emission standards.

While the GM India camp has remained silent on this matter, we expect the new Captiva here by the end of 2010. As the Captiva is a CBU, we find no reason why GM will continue shipping an older Captiva which has a less capable engine.

The power and torque values of the new Captiva are 10% higher. The new model comes equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission, a gear more than the existing model. There is no news on the automatic transmission, but that should be introduced at a later date. As we said before, the Captiva’s front end did not go well with the muscular body. It will be taken care with the new model which has a smaller radiator grille and a larger grille on the bumper.

The existing Captiva, imported from Korea, comes with a 2.0-liter diesel engine.

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Entry posted on February 8th, 2010 and filed under Chevrolet, Spy pictures

Spied – Next generation Chevrolet Aveo interior

2011_chevrolet-aveo-interior

A renowned model across the globe, but not a big hit in India, the Chevrolet Aveo is preparing for to attack us in a new avatar. Karl Slym, President and Managing Director of GM India, during the launch of the new Chevrolet Beat told IAB the next generation Chevrolet Aveo you see here, will coexist with the current Aveo in India. It will be the T-Series offering of the 300 platform (The M series was the Beat and the J Series was the Cruze).

The 2011 Chevrolet Aveo will be similar to the Aveo RS showcased at the NAIAS earlier this month. As Ed Welburn, Global design head of General Motors revealed to us during an interview new Chevrolets will have many common parts. The motorcycle inspired instrument cluster and some dashboard components closely resemble the ones on the Chevrolet Beat. The rear door handle will be hidden on the C-Pillar just like it was on the Beat.

The car spotted here is the automatic transmission variant. Not sure if that will make it to India.

The new Chevrolet Aveo hits Indian shores in 2011. Expect both petrol and diesel engines. We’ll not be surprised to see an e-Aveo.

click through to view the Chevrolet Aveo RS Image Slideshow

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Entry posted on January 25th, 2010 and filed under Chevrolet, Spy pictures

Compact car and 3 LCVs from GM India by 2012

The N300 Series van could be in the first lot of CVs from SAIC manufactured in India

General Motors India will foray into the light commercial vehicle (LCV) segment in India next year with three LCV models and the following year launch a compact car as part of the joint venture with SAIC. GM will begin production at its powertrain facility in Talegaon later this year where it will make both petrol and diesel engines.

GM will sell CVs under a new brand in India. The vehicles have dedicated dealerships and nothing to do with the existing passenger car and Utility vehicle network.

GM has not revealed the vehicles or their specifications, but we’ve done a story on SAIC’s commercial vehicles before.

GM will launch its compact car in 2012. We don’t know if this is going to tackle the Nano’s firing or serve as the Chevrolet Spark replacement. We could also speculate about a possible electric heart for the new small car supplied by REVA.

Talking of electric cars, Chevrolet will launch the e-Spark in the Indian market by the end of this year. They plan to sell 5,000 of them in the first year and hope the government will help with incentives and bonuses.

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Entry posted on January 15th, 2010 and filed under Chevrolet

Official – 800cc Chevrolet Spark in the works

Chevrolet_Spark_India_800_cc800cc Spark will serve as backup if the Beat and Spark fail to live up to expectations

The 800cc Chevrolet Spark is Plan B for GM India who days ago unveiled the Chevrolet Beat with a ridiculously low price tag. The Chevrolet Beat is roped with a task to do more volumes than the 1,000cc Spark and challenge the might of the i10 and others.

Question – But what happens if the Beat doesn’t click?

Answer – The 800cc Chevrolet Spark saves the day. Well hopefully.

P Balendran, vice-president of General Motors India -

The 800 cc Spark is on the drawing board

The low capacity version of this popular hatchback will not see production lines if its older siblings turn out to be market rattlers. GM is looking at certain number of cars for this year (around 100,000) and if it does not end up achieving it, the 800cc Spark will be out to boost numbers.

There are not many cars in India employing a sub-1000cc engine. The Nano, 800 and Alto come to mind. These are cars which are not fun to drive and serve the purpose of plainly transporting people from A to B.

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Entry posted on January 11th, 2010 and filed under Chevrolet

Spied – Facelifted 2.2-liter Chevrolet Captiva diesel

Chevrolet_Captiva_facelift_dieselThe refreshed Captiva comes with new design, engine and additional gear.

By mid-2010, General Motors will launch the facelifted Chevrolet Captiva with a 2.2-liter diesel engine. Co-developed with VM Motori in Italy, the new 2.2-liter engine is expected to boost fuel economy and reduce emissions to Euro 5 levels.

The power and torque values are reportedly 10% better now. The new model could come with a 6-speed manual transmission, a gear more than the existing model. The front fascia could be sharper to give the vehicle a more distinct feel. The Captiva’s headlamp and grille were never its design highlight. The facelifted model should change that.

The existing Captiva, imported from Korea, comes with a 2.0-liter diesel engine.

click on the post title to see image gallery

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Entry posted on January 2nd, 2010 and filed under Chevrolet, Spy pictures

Chevrolet Tavera production to be outsourced?

The facelifted Tavera could come from Argentum’s production line

Contract manufacturing firm Argentum Motors is back in the news. DNA reports Argentum could manufacture the Chevrolet Tavera and supply components in certain GM models from the ex-Daewoo manufacturing facility in Uttar Pradesh.

GM is looking to source skin panels and gear box of Chevrolet Spark from Argentum. The company is also considering the possibility of allowing Argentum to manufacture the Tavera, which isn’t seeing major volumes. This will give GM the flexibility of altering production as per demand.

General Motors India source -

Last year, in March, we had done a detailed costing and given quotations to GM for components manufacturing, but due to recession the deal did not materialise. Now, with the sector coming out of downturn, we have revived discussions with them. Looking at the dismal performance of Tavera” the car company wants to contract manufacture it rather than build it at its own plant.

An official announcement is expected from the company only after February 2010.

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Entry posted on December 29th, 2009 and filed under Chevrolet

800cc Chevrolet Spark will be the Maruti Alto slayer

GM_SparkWe expect the 800cc Spark to come with no power steering or power windows

We touched upon the 800cc Spark earlier and more media reports on the same indicate the launch is not far away. GM told us the Spark EV will be on display during the Auto Expo but was not willing to share anything on the 800cc Spark. They denied any plans of the low cost Spark.

A 800cc Spark is not new to India. Daewoo’s Matiz used a three cylinder 796cc engine through its lifetime in our country. The vehicle back then was the best alternative to the Santro with good cabin space and cheeky looks.

The second time in 2010, the smaller Spark’s direct rival would be the Suzuki Alto which has sold 20,000+ units on an average every month this year.

We don’t have more information on this model except that it will be stripped of expensive equipment and accessories.

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Entry posted on December 28th, 2009 and filed under Chevrolet

GM to bring Volt, Beat, Camaro, Spark EV and Aveo CNG to Auto Expo

chevrolet_camaroThe Camaro will be displayed at the Auto Expo next year

President and Managing Director of GM India Karl Slym told reporters in a recent meet that an array of vehicles will be displayed at the Auto Expo in Delhi next year.

Among the cars that will be showcased are the Volt, Camaro, Spark EV and Aveo CNG which will also be launched during the occasion.

GM will also launch the much awaited Beat hatchback during the Expo. Apart from these cars, GM could also spring a surprise by bringing an India-centric concept car, but that again is pure speculation.

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Entry posted on December 7th, 2009 and filed under Auto Expo 2010, Chevrolet

Report – Chevrolet Aveo poses health hazards on occupants!

chevrolet-aveo-interiorThe title sounds a little alarming, we know.

The findings pertain only to the US-built 2009 year spec Chevrolet Aveo. Tests have not yet been performed on vehicles manufactured in India or other countries.

HealthyStuff.org is an information portal for the Ann Arbor, Michigan-based Ecology Center. It used X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) device to test components in the passenger compartment of vehicles for substances “with known toxicity, persistence, and tendency to build up in people and the environment.”

The team finds traces of life-damaging substances like lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, chlorine/PVC, bromine/BFRs, antimony, tin, and chromium, measuring it in parts per million (ppm).

Products are assigned low, medium, or high risk level ratings which are dependent on number of substances present.

It then rates the findings on a scale of 5 units, zero for best, five for worst.

The results are fascinating and frightening.

On one hand, the Chevrolet Cobalt scores a no-threat reading of 0.7. The Aveo on the other hand, scored an appalling 4.7. You will understand why by clicking on the above image.

While there are safety and emission norms for vehicles, we’re not aware of norms that prescribe the permissible level of toxicity in interior trim. We generally assume that once we roll up the windows and switch on the air-conditioner, we’re completely insulated from the pollution or harmful substances in the atmosphere around us.

Think again.

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Entry posted on November 17th, 2009 and filed under Chevrolet
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