SCOOP! GM’s Eeco rival spied

These are the first pictures of GM’s upcoming MPV offering, spotted by our reader Sagar Parikh. Known as the Wuling Hong Tu in China (codename: N200 internally), this people-mover sports fresher styling than other offerings from the Wuling stable. 

When launched, the Hong Tu with its 2500mm wheelbase will compete with the Maruti Eeco. This model is powered by a 1.2-litre 85bhp petrol motor which qualifies it (along with a sub-four meter length) as a “small car” which entitles it to an excise saving in India. The rear wheel drive Hong Tu comes with a five-speed manual transmission. The base variant has rear leaf spring suspension while the top variant gets coil springs.

Don’t be put off by the strange sounding names of these products because they will be completely re-badged and in all likelihood sold under the “Tavera” moniker, the sub-brand GM is planning to create for its range of Wuling products. Also, these products will be modified for Indian conditions. This means giving them higher ground clearance and re-engineering them for overloading.

Initial impressions of Wuling products indicate that they are indeed hardy if a touch crude. Reliability and durability are believed to be good but the fit and finish of the interiors is quite poor and well below Maruti standards. However, for the Indian market, these products which are expected in 2011-12 will be completely revamped and sold at prices that could send shockwaves through the industry.