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General Motors (GM) India does not appear to have let the bankruptcy of its US parent affect its domestic operations. GM India is all set to launch an all-new small car in 2010 reports AutoCar (Aug. ’09). Based on the M300 platform, this new car is essentially the next-generation Spark which will sell alongside the current Spark (M200) in the Indian market. Although it is unclear whether the M300 will bear the Spark moniker or a different name altogether to avoid confusion with the existing Spark.
Early images reveal that it’s almost identical to the five-door Chevrolet Beat concept shown at the 2009 Geneva Show. The Chevy styling department has left no corners unturned in designing the M300 and the talking point of this design is how the beltline sharply sweeps upwards into the rear door handles that are integrated behind the rear window which gives the M300 a sporty, coupe-like look. The huge grille split by a thick band wearing the bow-tie is the new family face, just like on the Cruze and the sheet metal with all its creases and kinks gives the M300 a muscular and taut look. Also the large sweptback lights look fantastic and so does the round tail-light cluster.
The generous 2375mm wheelbase points to the space potential inside the car but it remains to be seen how it stacks up against the Hyundai i10 which until now is the most spacious A-segment car thanks to its unusually long 2380mm wheelbase.
The interiors too are expected to set new standards in styling and GMDAT (formerly Daewoo) has worked hard to improve the quality of materials and fabrics. One can also expect the top-end versions of the M300 to be properly loaded with airbags and ABS available as options.
The M300 will initially be available only with a 1.2-litre all-aluminium twin-cam, 16-valve petrol engine that produces an estimated 82bhp. However the M300’s trump card is the yet-to-be-launched 936cc three-cylinder diesel engine which will first do duty in the M300. The talking point of this compact engine is its fuel efficiency and GM engineers are confident it will surpass every other diesel currently in the market. Unfortunately the diesel M300 is not expected until end-2010 as the company’s diesel engine plant at Talegaon near Pune will not be ready until then.
What is obvious is that pricing is going to be the key to the M300’s success in India and this time around GM India is not going to make the mistake of overpricing its product only to discount it some months later. A high level of localisation will ensure that the M300 is very competitively priced to take on rivals like the i10 and the A-star. The worry is that the M300 with aggressive pricing could undercut the existing Spark. However GM has something up its sleeve for that model too claims AutoCar (Aug. ’09).
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