After afooting its 0.5 tonne truck, M&M is all in high spirit to launch its passenger mode in CNG variants including export market potential. Gio is really meant for the sensation in the utility segment would run between Tata Ace and the three wheeler range. The price is another factor that M&M could boast off – Rs1.65 lakh, a slight addition of Rs25000 to 30000 than a three wheeler. M&M has invested Rs25 crore for developing this product including in-house tooling technology and the US developed Kohler engine.
This cost factor would yield the desired result in the export market, said the company official. However, the focus is on the domestic market to begin with by producing 2000 units a month from the Haridwar plant which can be upgraded to the capacity of 3000 units within the same investment. Gio is crafted to meet the demands of inter-city and the intra-city commute, similar to Tata Magic. M&M is eying on the combined market of three wheeler and LCVs.
The cost of a mini truck is Rs2.78 lakhs whereas the cost of a three wheeler is Rs1.38 lakh. The cargo borne one-tonne truck gives a mileage of 16-18 kms /lit. M&M assures that Gio is designed to give 27km/lit mileage in addition to 32% saving in the operational cost. The combined mini-truck and three wheeler market in India is 180000 units (1500 units a month) of which mini-trucks alone constitute 11000 units and three wheelers 68000units. In the days to come there would be an increase of 10% in this market and Geo would contribute another 2% to make it 12%.