Every modern hatch, be it the i10, the Ritz or the Swift, is already running on ( or soon will be) a 1.2L petrol engine, sufficiently reliable, fuel efficient, offers reasonable room and about the same power ( no truly large variance) .
The hatchback options between the 4.0 – 5.5 lakh rupee growing segment are becoming innumerable. Good news is, the Indian customer is spoilt for choice, but again, what is the USP or key buying point? One of the most substantial differentiators in the market today is the styling. Then, if a diesel engine is available. Next, quality and lastly, the level of kit. The Beat has three differentiators : A trendy design, compliant ride and ARAI topping fuel efficiency.
The Spark has taught GM a thing or two about the Indian hatchback market. In November, it sold 4, 200 units! At the same time, the UVA's inability to click in the market offered a share of lessons as well. Fact is, the UVA was an entirely lackluster car, while the Beat is anything but. The Spark looks cute and is fuel-efficient. Ditto with the Beat. GM has bragging rights with the ARAI numbers ( 18.6 kpl) that “beat” that of the Ritz ( 17.7 kpl) .
The Beat has been designed by GM Daewoo ( South Korea) and is based on the M300 platform ( the Matiz was based on the M100 platform, the Spark M200) . A competitive advantage that the Beat doesn’t have yet is a diesel engine. The market has made its ever increasing preference toward oil burner hatchbacks glaringly obvious; Chevy’s engine plant will be ready only by end 2010 which is when a diesel Beat is slated for launch. The Beat will be launched on the 4th of January, 2010 at the Auto Expo. I’m willing to bet that it will be priced a notch lower than the i10. Why do I think so? The absence of driver seat height adjustment, keyless entry and steering mounted controls on the top end hint toward a price war.Chevrolet launched the Beat on the 4th of January with a VFM price tag ( competition effect? ). The base variant starts at Rs. 3.34 lakhs ( Hyundai i10 1.1 liter engine territory) while the top-end variant with airbags ABS is priced at 4.34 lakhs ( ex-showroom Delhi) .
