India is large potential market for car markers, hence GM’s interest in the low cost market. India, like China, has a large appetite for low cost cars but developing low cost cars is an expensive project, thankfully GM’s partnership with Shanghai Auto Industry Corp, GM was able to produce the Chevrolet Sail for a relatively low cost. The Sail has now become one of China’s most exported vehicles and has seen exports across the globe, South America has been a big receiver of Sails but India is in the company’s sights. Unlike China, India is a diesel market, so GM have fitted a new 1.3L diesel unit into the forthcoming Indian Sail – it’s highly unlikely such an option would ever come to the Chinese mainland.
CarDekho.com, an Indian automotive website, have already undertaken a road test of the upcoming diesel and seem to like it. They described the model as “…. One of the most anticipated cars from General Motors in recent times. “ The reviews comments also seem quite supportive of the new diesel Sail, and don’t seem to have any issue about buying a Chinese car.
This is going to be a great car for India. Small, light weight and powerful, Indian consumers will love it.
Chinese car in India is like Japanese car in China; the car of the enemy. SAIC or any other vendor trying to move into China is simply wasting time and money. To quote a Hyundai India executive’s word, “India is one of few China-free countries on earth”.
Wait, India has enough roads for the car to be tested?
In India the Sail is percieved as GM’s car, not as a Chinese car. But this car has not been as much of a hit as the Beat (Spark) and Cruze so far.
GM also has not marketed the car properly. they are yet to explain how this car is better than Beat (Spark)
@ marees
> yet to explain how this car is better than Beat (Spark)
Both Beat and Cruze are engineered in Korea and are sold in the US.
The Sail can’t pass US regulations and is not on sale in the US.
This is true. The Sail is developed for emerging markets, others are developed as world vehicles.