GM India launches Chevrolet Enjoy priced Rs5.49 lakh

General Motors, the US-based automobile major, yesterday launched a multi-purpose vehicle, the 'Enjoy', priced aggressively at Rs5.49 lakh for the petrol variant (ex-showroom, Delhi) and Rs 6.69 lakh for the diesel variant. The MPV would take on  Maruti Suzuki's hot seller Ertiga.  

The base variants of Enjoy for the petrol and diesel versions carry price tags that are Rs49,000 and Rs 70,000 cheaper than the Ertiga (tagged between Rs 5.98 lakh and Rs 8.7 lakh). According to Lowell Paddock, president and managing director, General Motors India, the Enjoy would compete in one of the fastest growing segments in India and the company expected that the model would be a success, considering its attributes and pricing.

GM expects sales at around 3,500 units of the Enjoy a month, as against Ertiga average of 6,365 units a month.

Enjoy's local content is 60 per cent, as against  Ertiga's over 85 per cent, however according to Paddock, work was on to raise the indigenous content to 75 per cent over the next few months. The MPV based on a platform developed by GM's Chinese partner, Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation, has been re-engineered and re-designed for Indian conditions.

While Enjoy beats the Ertiga in pricing, according to experts, the fuel efficiency offered could be a dampener. The petrol version offers 13.7 kmpl, as against Ertiga's 16.02 kmpl and the diesel Enjoy offers 18.2 kmpl, considerably lower than the 20.77 kmpl delivered by the diesel-powered Ertiga.

The Enjoy though a people mover, manages to look pleasant, but the profile is typically boxy. The boxy look is somewhat lightened with some attractive details like the swage line running off the bottom of the grille, past the headlights and onto the side of the car in a single sweep.

The Enjoy however, is built differently from the MPVs of its class. Unlike a typical monocoque however, the Enjoy also uses an integrated ladder-type frame between the wheels to help strengthen that portion, and in addition there are tough subframes for the front and rear suspension too. The Enjoy also come with a major point of difference from the hatchback-based Ertiga with its longitudinally placed engines delivering power to the rear wheels.

The Enjoy comes with a high roof, offering greater vertical space which makes for roominess and comfort on the first two rows. The big doors are around near perfect height which makes it easy to slip into the seats after opening the big doors.