Sticking to this basic marketing strategy, Chevrolet has decided to launch the diesel version of its successful model, the Beat. Yes; you have heard that absolutely correct! Not even a week has passed since Chevrolet unveiled the Chevrolet Beat LPG priced in the band of Rs.4.10 to Rs.4.53 Lakh & auto market’s wants the attention to be with it only as decks are cleared for the Beat’s diesel version to hit the spicy Indian automobile market in June, 2011. We reported to you earlier in January 2011 when Chevrolet India Vice-President (Sales, Marketing & Services) Ankush Arora talked about launch of Chevrolet Beat diesel in India, which seems to have been well executed and the launch seems to be on track.
It seems Chevrolet has its hands full to give its competitors a run for their money with these plans. It would be interesting to observe and report the initiatives taken by competitors of Chevrolet to curb its present moves. This will certainly affect the sales of many successfully selling small cars like Nissan Micra, Maruti Ritz, Maruti A-star, Maruti Swift etc… So, if you are planning to buy an Alto or a Nano, it would be smart enough to wait till June.
So now if you are planning to buy a new hatchback it’s better to wait for another 3-4 months as this wait could eventually transform into a value for money Beat parked inside your garage. General Motors is planning to invest $230 million in the Talegaon plant ramping up its annual production capacity to a whopping 1.50 lakh units.
Both the Indian and European market will welcome the new Beat and Equipped with a 936cc, 3-cylinder engine based on the Fiat 1.3l Multijet, it will produce around 57 bhp and 140 to 150 Nm of torque. This core focus of this operation would be to deliver big on fuel economy. The ARAI figure could be around 22-23 kpl which translates into a real world figure of around 20kpl. So we suggest all you buyers to wait for some time and then choose the best of all the hatchbacks and bring one home.
The 3-cylinder engine has been developed at the GM Powertrain facility in Bangalore. The engineers were provided with the 4-cylinder Multi-jet engine and were asked to downsize it.
With the introduction of the plant in Talegaon, the company is also committed to do a 95% localization of the input products thereby lowering their overall manufacturing costs.
Chevrolet has its plan intact for Beat Diesel as it has extensive plans to export the car to European car markets after an India launch.
Amongst other moves from the auto major, launching a new BSR variant of Tavera is also on the cards. Indian automobile market is also set to see another SUV, MUV and a Sedan from the company soon.
Also see – Chevrolet Beat LPG Launched
Chevy Beat Diesel in India by March 2011
More pictures of Chevrolet Beat –
Source – GoaOnWheels
