Chevrolet launches Sonic hatchback
Chevrolet Sonic hatchback, the next generation Aveo finally landed in North America. Our habitual readers must be remembering our previous article on this topic. But there is a minor difference, as per newest information from Chevrolet officials, Aveo’s rechristening will be applicable to some chosen markets like North America and Mexico only. That official words tell us, if new generation Aveo hits Indian market, it will carry on with Chevrolet Aveo badge. Chevrolet’s this B-Segment offering was debuted in Paris Motor Show as Aveo and later undergone a renaming exercise and finally named as Chevrolet Sonic for some selected markets as we said before. “The Sonic represents a new beginning for Chevrolet in the small car segment and so we felt it was time to give it a new name,” said Chris Perry,
Chevrolet’s vice president of US marketing. “The new car is roomy, stylish and enjoyable to drive, and Sonic is a youthful, energetic name that helps convey what this vehicle is about,” he added. Other details like engine and transmission and price are still awaited. But speculated engines are a pair of four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. The engine series will have two 1.2-liter versions – a 70 hp version and an 86 hp variant. Later a 1.4-liter unit with 100 horsepower and a 1.6-liter version with 115 horsepower may join the before said engines . There could also be two other versions featuring 1.3-liter diesel engines – one with 75 horsepower and one with 95 horsepower – featuring Start/Stop technology. Chevrolet Sonic may feature both manual and auto transmissions.
Press Release:
Chevrolet announced today that its all-new, U.S. built small car will be called the Chevrolet Sonic in North America. “The Sonic represents a new beginning for Chevrolet in the small car segment and so we felt it was time to give it a new name,” said Chris Perry, vice president, Chevrolet U.S. Marketing. “The new car is roomy, stylish and fun to drive, and Sonic is a youthful, energetic name that helps convey what this vehicle is about.” The small car will carry the Sonic name in Canada, Mexico and the United States. Production of the Sonic begins in 2011 at GM’s Orion Assembly Center in Michigan, which received a $545-million investment in upgrades and retooling, and will help restore approximately 1,000 jobs in the metropolitan Detroit area.
The vehicle will continue to be called Aveo in other parts of the world, where it will be sold in more than 50 countries. Back to India, our Aveo U-VA hatchback could be the worst performer in Chevrolet India’s portfolio. Though U-VA is a value for money car it’s dull styling and a slightly under powered engine damages it’s impression among our hatchback buyers. We think Chevrolet India must consider bringing 2011 Aveo/Sonic to India and position it in our premium hatchback segment. If it happens, we are sure new Chevrolet Aveo can easily snatch some market shares of Hyundai i20, Skoda Fabia and VW Polo within no time. Let us see what’s Chevrolet India’s plans for year 2011.