GM to give Sumo and Qualis a tough fight

Mohini Bhatnagar
19 February 2004

Tavera, with the Chevrolet badge, will be positioned against MUVs like the Qualis, Scorpio and Sumo and GMI hopes to sell approximately 20,000 units annually.

Expected to be priced in the Rs 5.5 to Rs 7 lakh range the Tavera will be initially launched with a 78 bhp, (unconfirmed) 2400-cc diesel engine with a turbo-charged version with a max torque of 18.5 kgm.
The Panther was originally to be introduced in India in 2002.

However, since the company's main concern was to price the MUV competitively against other MUVs in the market it went in for an extensive localisation programme for the vehicle.

Tavera will now be launched with more than 70 per cent local content, with the engine manufactured by Hindustan Motors.

Designed, manufactured and sold in Indonesia as the Isuzu Panther, the Tavera should appeal to the Indian customer. Though it is not as attractive as the Safari or the Forester it is nowhere as boxy as the Qualis or the Sumo. Good body built, proportions and attention to detail gives the Tavera an upmarket look completely absent in the Qualis or the Sumo.

The Tavera is likely to give the reigning MUVs Qualis and Sumo a tough fight as it is priced similarly but has the superiority of an Isuzu 2.5-litre direct injection, turbo-charged diesel engine which gives high torque. However, for the Scorpio with its excellent styling, good body finish and a 2.6 litre, 109 bhp engine, the new entrant may not be much of a threat.