We have kept you update with the news of Chevrolet launching the Sail hatchback in the current calendar that will compete in the market against Toyota Etios , Hyundai i20 and the new Maruti Suzuki Swift. After all the speculations and spy images, General Motors has finally made it official, that the Sail hatch will hit the Indian shore by third quarter of the current calendar.
Debuted at the 2012 Auto Expo in Delhi, Chevrolet Sail received immense response at the show. Since UVA hatch and Aveo sedan did not do fairly well in the Indian market, Chevrolet Sail hatch and sedan will be positioned as entry level cars from the American automaker. The third product in lineup this year from the GM-SAIC joint venture is the SIAC MPV, and the officials claimed that the MPV is going to be the main concern for the auto giant.
The diesel technology for Chevrolet Sail twins will be developed at the Talegaon facility near Pune. This small displacement diesel motor tuned for greater fuel economy and GM plans to export this engine to foreign markets. It could be a in the range of 1.2-litre to 1.4-litre. Sail hatch will also borrow the 1.2-litre petrol motor from Beat, however a petrol engine may be imported in the initial stages. Both the Sail twins will feature 70 to 80 percent localized parts, developed to suit the Indian market.
India’s small car segment is crowded with global brands coming up with an India-trimmed model, and the pricing of the Sail twins will decide their fate.
