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RajeshRavi: Nov 01 2012, 22:01 IST

General Motors (GM) India is betting big on the launch of Chevrolet Sail U-VA, which is expected in the market in November. The Sail has done very well in China and GM expects the small diesel engine (SDE), which has been designed specifically for the Indian market, to take on competition and bring volumes. The Sail hatchback will have a 1.3-litre diesel engine option and 1.2-litre petrol variant. During 2011, GM India sold 1,11,510 units against 1,10,804 units in 2010. Rajesh Ravi spoke to Lowell Paddock, president and managing director of GM India, at Amby Valley, where the carmaker gave the media a test drive of the new vehicle. Edited excerpts:

How important is the launch of Chevrolet Sail U-VA for GM India?

Very important. First reason is that we are not strongly present in the segment that we are launching and the second is that this segment is growing in the total market. So, the right car, right segment and at the right time is very important for us.

GM India seems to be focusing a lot on the SDE. Are you looking at diesel version of Sail to be a major driver in the Indian market?

I think it all depends on where the market goes. Right now, given the continuing momentum in the diesel segment, we have a world-class diesel engine that we developed in 2004. We are very happy with its reliability. We have built millions of these in the European market. So, bringing this engine to India, which

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