On Thursday May 9, 2013, General Motors India launched the Chevrolet Enjoy — a “much-anticipated new-generation premium” MPV, according to GM. With seating for seven or eight, depending on the configuration, the Enjoy is meant to meet the growing demand for a comfortable, spacious, and stylish MPV for families and businesses.
“We believe this is the right product for India in one of the market’s fastest-growing segments”, said GM India President and Managing Director, Lowell Paddock. As a new leader in the segment, we expect the Enjoy to be very popular. Its introduction is another sign of our commitment to make Chevrolet the most preferred vehicle brand in India,” Mr. Paddock added.
The Enjoy reached “substantial localization” at the beginning of regular production, an event that is “unprecedented for a global vehicle manufacturer” in India, according to Mr. Paddock. “This is significant not only for the local economy, but also benefits buyers through a lower cost of ownership as a result of lower parts prices and the ready availability of spare parts”, he said.
The vehicle will offer two SMARTECH-branded (non-GM) engines — one diesel and one gasoline, both of which are “powerful, deliver excellent fuel efficiency, smooth driving performance and low emissions”, according to GM India. The diesel is a 1.3 liter four-cylinder manufactured at GM India’s Talegaon Powertrain facility. It delivers maximum power of 77.5 PS @ 4,000 rpm and maximum torque of 188 Nm @ 1,750 rpm. The four-cylinder gasoline engine is 1.4-liters in size and has maximum power of 104 PS @ 6,000 rpm and maximum torque of 131 Nm @ 4,400 rpm.
The Enjoy is rear-wheel-drive (surprise!), with MacPherson struts in the front and a five-link suspension coupled with a rigid Hybrid Chassis in the rear. According to GM India, the “Balanced weight distribution over its front and rear axles, makes the steering more precise and nimble”, while the “gas-filled front and rear shock absorbers optimize damping to isolate road undulations, reducing fatigue-creating road vibrations”.
What GM India won’t tell you is that the Enjoy is little more than a rebadged Wuling, one of GM’s joint venture partners in China. The Enjoy, in other words, was designed and engineered in China by Wuling and is sold there as the Wuling Sunshine.
Introductory prices are as follows (in Rs Lakhs, Ex-Showroom Delhi):
Enjoy 1.4 Petrol
- Enjoy LTZ (7 seater): 6.99
- Enjoy LT (7 seater): 6.31
- Enjoy LS (7 seater): 5.54
- Enjoy LS (8 seater): 5.49
Enjoy 1.3 Diesel
- Enjoy LTZ (7 seater): 7.99
- Enjoy LT (7 seater): 7.42
- Enjoy LS (7 seater): 6.75
- Enjoy LS (8 seater): 6.69
Comments
I understand that this is a completely different market, but if gm and Chevy want to be a global brand, why can’t they at least use the same quality materials, safety features, and design language across the board? it would make sense aesthetically. Is it all about price point?
Because they can make a killing (sorry, wait, no I’m not) selling cars without those safety features: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2013/05/11/2593558/ap-impact-cars-made-in-brazil.html
The Sunshine is MUCH uglier than this – the new Impala grill is a big improvement on this vehicle. Interesting to note: this is the first non-US vehicle I saw with this grill, looks like the sonic/cruze/malibu grill is on it’s way out globally as well…
And I agree with jonny, if this is a cheap chinese pos, please don’t let it put a bad image on the Chevrolet name…
@tjs Yeah, the Sunshine is definitely uglier than this… but a Wuling is still a Wuling, right?
The interesting part about @jonnydregs’ point (with which I agree with entirely) is that GM already has a vehicle that is in the same exact segment as the Enjoy. It was developed internally by GM (GM Brazil, to be specific) for developing markets and rides on the Gamma platform. It’s the Chevrolet Spin that recently started production in Indonesia:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2013/05/general-motors-officially-opens-bekasi-indonesia-plant/
In that regard, GM is taking a dual approach to its emerging vehicle strategy. It’s using internally-developed vehicles for developing markets in South America and some parts of Asia, while using Chinese partner-developed vehicles for others (mainly China and India). I’m sure there are financial reasons behind doing so… but it seems like a very disconcerted and “dirty” approach that pollutes the brand.
I think you are correct about this new grille becoming the 2014 Impala’s grille becoming the corporate Chevy face across the board. Sonic, Cruze, and Malibu are next for sure.
why isn’t GM adding another brand to sell crap cars like these. VW is thinking of adding one