General Motors India, holding a regional launch of the LPG version of its city car – Spark on the verge now announces that this fiscal year it would be launching the diesel variant of Spark.

GM India has refused to reveal any details though it is believed that the car will be fitted sub one-liter common-rail diesel engine and is likely to be 15-20 per cent expensive than the petrol one. Due to the diesel engine’s higher torque output compared to the petrol the diesel-powered Spark will provide better fuel economy and improved drivability. 

P Balendran, vice-president, corporate affairs, GM India said to the press in Chennai, “the company is also currently working on alternate fuels, including diesel, for its small car Spark which may hit the stands in due course of time”. 

“Such a move by GM cannot be ruled out. With the new wave diesel engines, diesel cars are more accepted in India. This mirrors the European continent where diesel is king. But then again, one has to wait and see whether diesel retains the same price advantage that we have seen so far. Consider these:

1. The gap between diesel and petrol prices has gradually narrowed. As and when the government brings down the subsidy on diesel, diesel might not have the same price advantage that we have seen in India.

2. Diesel engines are more expensive to maintain. They cause more wear and tear of tyres.

3. Diesel cars cost about 40,000 – 100,000 more than their petrol counterparts. So if you are getting a diesel car financed from a bank, not only are you paying more money upfront, but you are also paying interest on that extra one lakh or so”, Mr. Anindya Banerjee, senior creative director, Publicis Communications (India) Limited gives his views.

Best Selling General Motors (Chevrolet) Cars:
Chevrolet Aveo (Sedan)
Chevrolet Optra (Sedan)
Chevrolet Tavera (SUV)
Chevrolet Captiva (SUV)
Chevrolet Spark (Hatchback)
Chevrolet UVA (Hatchback)
Chevrolet SRV (Hatchback)

Related Books:
Ghost of a Car Salesman: The Legacy
Still Life with Cars: An Automotive Memoir
Cars for Comrades: The Life of the Soviet Automobile

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Posted by Naresh Koshti on 27 June, 2009 2:42:57 PM IST #