The Chevrolet TrailBlazer will arrive in October this year while the Spin MPV will make its debut in 2017. GM has worked on a completely new strategy for the Indian market.
Resurrecting its fortunes in the Indian market once again, General Motors has officially unveiled the 2015 TrailBlazer premium SUV and the Spin MPV for the country. Both the products are of extreme importance to the automaker as it will help GM to rebuild the brand in the country as a premium American carmaker. Speaking of the launch schedule, GM has confirmed that the Chevrolet TrailBlazer will hit the showrooms later this year in October during the festive season, while the Spin MPV will go on sale in 2017.
Internationally, the Chevrolet TrailBlazer is powered by two engine options including a 2.5-litre diesel tuned to produce 163 BHP and 380 Nm, paired to a 6-speed gearbox; while there is also the 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel unit churning out 200 BHP and 500 Nm of torque, paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission with All-Wheel Drive offered as standard. The Chevrolet Spin, on the other hand, uses a 1.3-litre four-cylinder diesel engine tuned for 90 PS and is paired to a 5-speed manual transmission. The automaker is yet to reveal more details on both the products that will be available closer to launch.
General Motors further states that quality will be the company’s foremost priority and acknowledges that while it has had issues with the same in the past, the newer models will boast of better quality levels. Furthermore, the American auto giant will soon roll out ‘Chevrolet Complete Care’ across the country offering better after sales and service support to customers. The company is also working on developing a new model family for growing markets like that of India, China, Brazil and the likes. The next years will see GM invest $1 billion (Rs. 6400 crores) in the country that will help increase localisation by tying up with local suppliers and subsequently create employment for 12,000 individuals.
Apart from the Chevrolet Spin and TrailBlazer, GM has planned to launch notchback and hatchback models based on the next generation Beat platform expected to launch in 2017. The automaker is ramping up the production capacity at its Talegaon facility to 2,20,000 units from the current 1,30,000 units and is aiming to double its market share by 2020. GM’s existing Halol facility in Gujarat will end production and be shut down by next year with the production shifted to the Talegaon plant. GM is targeting 40,000 units for exports under the ‘Make in India’ program, which equals to 30 percent of the plant’s annual production. The automaker has also iterated the fact that GM India is working on its way to sustain profitability and is committed to customers in the country.
Coming to its current Indian strategy, GM accepted that its choice of products for the domestic market was wrong and it has now studied the market keenly before coming up with a whole new strategy and products. The TrailBlazer will be putting up a tough fight against the Toyota Fortuner, Ford Endeavour, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, Hyundai Santa Fe and the likes with its boasting presence and powerful engine, while the Spin MPV is likely to replace the outgoing Enjoy in the automaker’s lineup and will rival the Maruti Ertiga, Honda Mobilio and the likes. The company will launch 10 new cars in the country by the end of this decade.
