The Beat seems to have had a good start. Not sales chart topping but pretty decent.
The Beat engine is extremely refined and performance is pretty much on par with the i10 1.2L Kappa.
On the other hand their aging Aveo U-VA is barely moving out of the showrooms. The old 1150cc S-TEC engine has very mediocre performance and is not even efficient.
This is a good opportunity for GM.
GM can bring in the facelifted Aveo U-VA which is there in other markets like UK. I’m not referring to the Aveo RS concept shown in Detroit but the facelifted one shown in this thread:
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian…tml#post872953
With this facelift they can plonk in the 1.2L S-TEC II Beat engine. It wont be a blazing performer but the USP of the U-VA is ride, space and solid build, now coupled with the new 1.2L engine should make it a decent package.
With the aggressive pricing strategy GM has adopted recently with the Cruze and Beat they can easily undercut the i20, Punto and even come close to the Swift pricing.
This should be a pretty good package.
Another advantage is reuse. Same engine in Beat and U-VA would mean lower manufacturing costs.
Remember Hyundai is already doing just this with the i10 and i20 both sporting the 1.2L Kappa engines.
The GM hatchback lineup will be complete with this. The Spark to compete with Alto and Santro. The Beat to compete with the i10 and Ritz. Now finally they can have the Aveo U-VA to compete with i20 and Swift.
Is GM planning to do this? If not why aren’t they looking at this option?