General Motors India Private Limited (GMIPL), the 50-50 Joint Venture (JV) between General Motors and SAIC Motor Corporation Limited, is working on the launch and media build up of its upcoming next generation Chevrolet Sail for the Indian market. The company may launch its new product Sail in both hatchback and sedan guises in the country's passenger car market, before the end of October 2012.
The yet-to-be launched Sail is anticipated to fill in the void left by Chevrolet Aveo UV-A hatch and has been caught testing a few times on the Indian streets. The American auto major unveiled the fresh new Sail in hatchback guise at the Auto Expo held in New Delhi in January 2012. The showcased car received great response from Indian car enthusiasts at the exposition and the company later revealed that it might also introduce a sedan model of Sail.
The upcoming 2012 Chevrolet Sail is expected to bear the 1.2 litre power-mill borrowed from its sister Beat, under its hood. Further, the design employed by the American auto player in the Sail hatch seems to have been driven towards benefiting from the cut in excise offered to small compacts with sub 1,200 cc petrol engine. According to sources, GMIPL is currently working on a new 1,300 cc diesel engined Sail, so as to cash-in on the current market shift towards the subsidised fuel products in the Indian passenger car market. The company is looking to entice every car buyer in the segment by offering both hatch and sedan models of Sail, along with the options of diesel and petrol.
Coming to the appearance quotient, the upcoming Sail looks refined and sports an overall similar feel like the U-VA attached to it. The new Chevrolet design scheme appears obvious with the huge front grille and sharp lines, giving an aggressive look to the new Sail car. The interior cabin space seems spacious and reminds one of the old Aveo UV-A, besides the new seats are definitely much better in terms of quality and comfort. However, the American automotive giant could have utilised design cues similar to its small car Beat, that looks both futuristic and state-of-art, at the same time.
Upon its launch, the new Chevrolet Sail is expected to get involved in a direct face off against the likes of several market leaders like Maruti Suzuki Swift, Maruti Suzuki Ritz, Hyundai i20, Fiat Grande Punto and Fiat Grande Punto. GMIPL has pinned great hopes with the upcoming Sail and an aggressive pricing can just give the right kick to propel the sales for the American auto maker on Indian turf.
