Even before its introduction, there are whispers in the market about the Chevrolet Beat diesel sending the i10 and Wagon R packing. The Beat diesel is here in the next 4-6 weeks at a premium of 10-15% over the petrol car. Could the diesel variant start under 4 lakh rupees, perhaps at an attractive 3.99 lakh rupees starting price?
There is good reason for the diesel Beat taking over the market as there isn't a stylish urban runabout for about 4.5 lakh rupees. The Indica eV2 rides on a thirteen year old diesel. Compared to the Beat's design and Multi-jet derived 1.0-liter diesel engine, it feels like a typewriter.
We are told the Beat' diesel engine could match the eV2's 25kmpl fuel economy figure. If Chevrolet could do a 25.1 kmpl, Tata Motors would have to rework its ad strategy and people mention or think about as a result when the Beat diesel ad is played on TV.
Add the 3-year free maintenance package for its mini cars which make the cars more value for the buck. If General Motors can tell the people what the benefits of buying a Chevrolet Beat diesel are, there is no reason why it can't draw customers from Hyundai and Maruti showrooms.
