US carmaker General Motors, is eyeing an expansion in its diesel variants of cars in the fast growing demand for diesel vehicles in India .Many people are shifting from petrol to diesel options for their vehicles as a result of sharp hikes in petrol prices. Diesel is cheaper than petrol by Rs 26 per litre.
‘’There is always a possibility of extending the diesel option to what customers demand. There is always an interest in putting diesel in other segments. We cannot control what the government does to petrol prices. Therefore, we are geared up to meet the demands of the customer. The plant (Engine manufacturing unit at Talegaon) can build engines up to 1.5-litre capacity and it is fully flexible for both petrol and diesel. So capacity is not a constraint for us.’’ said Mr.Karl Slym, the CEO and MD of General Motors India.
The diesel version of General Motors’ small car Beat will hit the Indian car markets later this month. The company may look to increase its diesel car offerings in the future if the demand in the country for diesel cars continues to grow. Spark, which is another General Motors product in the compact car segment, may also be launched in its diesel model for India in some time in the future. Its hatchback car, Aveo UVA and its sedan Aveo, have been launched in only petrol variant and petrol plus CNG, model, respectively. It may be tempted to launch these cars with diesel options too. The company, which has a 1.6 lakh unit annual capacity plant at Talegoan, can develop 1.5 litre capacity petrol and diesel engines at the plant.
The Beat diesel variant will be fitted with a one litre engine with three cylinders, with the powerful technology being exported from its group firm General Motors Europe. The diesel model is only available in India and would address the specific needs of the Indian customers.
Also see – Official – Chevrolet Beat Diesel launch on 25th July
