America-based manufacturer, General Motors has performed appreciably well in the Indian auto market till now. The models of the company are already being offered by it under the banner of Chevrolet and at present they have received a good response from price sensitive domestic customers. Currently, the firm has Chevrolet Beat, Spark, Cruz, Aveo, Captiva and Tavera in its Indian product portfolio. Going by sources, the new entrant to join this bandwagon will be Chevrolet Sonic that would be offered in mid-size sedan and hatchback segment. Rumours are rife that the hatchback version of this car is expected to see light in the domestic market. There has been a lot of buzz over the car especially after it was showcased at the 2012 Auto Expo. The car is said to be the replacement of Chevrolet Aveo in North-America.
General Motors has put in a lot of efforts in the design and development of this car that is expected to debut soon in the Indian auto market. It happens to be a compact sedan that gets a trendy look and some of the best features in its respective segment. The car has already received 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score for Safety from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Highest Ranked Vehicle Appeal among Sub-Compact Cars by J.D. Power. It is among the first cars to be offered with 10 standard air bags. Chevrolet Sonic will come equipped with Spark-inspired cockpit and spacious rear seats, besides features like USB, Bluetooth connectivity, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), remote start/stop button and flat foldable rear seats.
It comes with a special feature of IN-Dash Navigation System that offers plenty of easy-to-use and instant-access navigation features that can be accessed when connected through Chevrolet MyLink feature. Under this feature, the cellphone automatically connects to the Chevrolet vehicle giving an opportunity to use the car's technology. It helps access features like turn-by-turn directions, an Eco driving profile and route information that includes alternate map views like 3-D featuring lane suggestions, estimated time of arrival, remaining distance and fuel cost.
The all new Chevrolet Sonic would be powered by a 1.4-litre diesel engine that will be mated to a 5-speed manual transmission system. Sources are saying that the Sonic sedan might come with Fiat’s 1.3-litre Multi-jet diesel engine along with 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre Ecotec petrol engine options that would be paired with 5-speed manual gearbox as well. However, these developments are not confirmed by the company as of now. The USP of Chevrolet Sonic is going to be its mileage that would definitely help in creating a prominent space for itself in the market. Its petrol variant delivers good performance on roads as well as highways. The appreciable fuel efficiency, if offered at the right price could help it gain an important position in the hearts of car buyers. In India, the major factor for a customer is the price and furl economy which if strategically marketed could work on the company's side.
Chevrolet Sonic could be priced somewhere around Rs. 6 lakh to Rs. 7 lakh, if going by the price of global model. However, since Indian automobile industry is going through an all-time low phase, the prices may escalate if major parts have to be imported. The company has worked diligently on the designing, advanced safety and striking features that makes the car a value for money vehicle for Indian customers.
