GM launches diesel Chevrolet Beat in Kerala market

General Motors, India's fifth largest car-maker, today launched the diesel variant of its Chevrolet Beat compact car in Kerala.

The compact car would come in three diesel versions, priced between Rs 4.29 lakh and Rs 5.45 lakh, GM India President and Managing Director Karl Slym told reporters here.

"Offering a diesel engine developed for Indian consumers in our most popular model is a momentous achievement for GM India," he said, adding that the Beat diesel would set a new industry benchmark and would be a favourite with local car buyers.

He said the Beat Diesel sports the 1.0 XSDE Smarttech engine developed specifically for India by the GM Technical Centre, Bangalore, in collaboration with GM Power-train Europe.

"We have taken the expertise from Europe, the hub of diesel technology, but at the same time, engaged our engineers in India to make sure we do not give a completely European engine. The engine delivers 62.5 PS of power and a mileage of 24 km a litre," he said.

Slym claimed that the three-year/100,000 km engine and vehicle warranty on offer is the most comprehensive in the mini-diesel segment.

He said GM India was also rapidly expanding its dealership and service network to support demand. GM India is currently present in 220 locations across 186 cities in the country, he said.

General Motors India has completed 16 years of operation in India and offers products under the Chevrolet brand, introduced in 2003. Last year, about 4.25 million Chevrolets were sold in over 120 countries.

The company offers the Captiva, Optra, Cruze, Aveo, Aveo U-VA, Spark, Beat and Tavera models for sale in India from its manufacturing facilities in Halol, Gujarat, and Talegaon, Maharashtra.