Korean media reports inform us that GM Korea has sold off the planned consignment of 400 special edition Beat models in a few days. The Transformers-loving Korean car buyers didn't wait for the right time to book a Beat decaled with Transformers emblems.
The special edition Beat did not have a redone engine or transmission. Changes were cosmetic with new wheels, a spoiler and Transformers written using the official font in upper case on the bonnet. The company planned only 400 units and they were gobbled up by Korea within days.
Meanwhile here in India, GM has no plans to introduce special editions riding on the success of the Transformers franchise. The diesel variant with a 1L engine emerges on the 25th of this month and we've been told that demo vehicles have reached some dealerships. The diesel model could be priced starting at 4.19 lakh rupees for the base model that comes with air-conditioning.
The Beat petrol was launched a day prior to the Auto Expo last year. It started off well, but weeks later Ford came, saw and conquered the buyer's mind with the Figo. The Beat was forgotten and sales, in later months, were a far cry from the initially projected 5,000 units/month.
With the lowest maintenance costs, ARAI approved fuel efficiency figure of 24kmpl, an electrically-powered steering wheel, softer suspension setup and space-age design, could the Beat diesel beat rivals Maruti WagonR and Hyundai i10? Or will the fizz last only until the new Swift arrival next month with more features and on the back of a much greater hype?
[Source - Gyotongn.com]
