Chevy Spark at Rs 3.09 lakh-Rs 3.89 lakh

New Delhi, Apr 17 (UNI) General Motors India today rolled out its much-awaited mini car 'Chevrolet Spark priced between Rs 3.09 lakh and Rs 3.89 lakh.

The small car will be available in four variants -- 1.0E, 1.0, 1.0 LS and 1.0 LT.

''Last year we began construction of a new manufacturing facility and introduced three new Chevrolet products. We are keeping up the momentum this year with the introduction of the Spark, which gives GM an entry in India's predominant market segment,'' GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner, here for the launch, told reporters.

He said the company might roll out the diesel version of Optra sometime by next year.

Spark 1.0E has been priced at Rs 3.09 lakh while Spark 1.0 will cost one Rs 3.32 lakh. The customer will have to bail out Rs 3.59 lakh for the 1.0 LS model and Rs 3.89 lakh for the 1.0 LT model.

Chevy Spark can be loaded with an option pack of ABS and alloy wheels, which will escalate the price to Rs 4.24 lakh. All the prices are ex-showroom, New Delhi.

The company plans to manufacture 2,000-3,000 units per month from its existing plan at Halol, Gujarat.

On being asked about the sales target for the mini vehicle, GM India President and Managing Director Rajeev Chaba said: ''We do not have any target as such, and we have capacity constraints, but for initial stage we will produce only 2,000-3,000 units per month.'' The car with an engine capacity of 1.0 litre and 63 bhp will come with tubeless tyres fitted in all the variants, but the basic requirement of a customer, that is the power steering, will be available only in two of its high-end models -- 1.0 LS and 1.0 LT.

The entire range of the vehicle comes with a warranty of three years or one lakh kilometres, whichever is earlier, and will be available in five colours -- fiery red, platinum metallic, casablanca white, mint green and icy blue.

The company launched its premium hatchback 'Chevrolet Aveo U-VA' in December last year and has set an annual sales target of two lakh units by 2010.

Chevrolet Aveo U-VA is available at prices starting from Rs 3.99 lakh to up to Rs 4.79 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi).

GM already has four models in India, Chevrolet Tavera, Chverolet SRV, Chevrolet Aveo and the Aveo U-VA, which are manufactured at its Halol facility in Gujarat.

The new facility plant at Talegaon, Maharashtra is expected to be operational by the end of next year.

UNI