Premier Ltd. is among the oldest auto makers of India. And the company has launched its first ever sport-utility vehicle model. This new mini-SUV will be manufactured with China's Zotye Holding Group. This new kid of Premier is expected to be a tough competition for Maruti Suzuki Gypsy, Scorpio M2Di, and Mahindra Bolero.
This is an auspicious occasion for Premier as RiO, this new SUV of the company, is the beginning of a new phase of the company in India. The once famous company has manufactured the all-time favourite Indian car, Premier Padmini. And now, the company is expecting to repeat the magic.
The 1.5-liter turbo-diesel engine RiO will be imported by Premier from Zotye and will be assembled at its factory in Pune.
Premier RiO is based on the first-generation Daihatsu Terios. And it is powered by Premier’s own engine that is basically a downsized Peugeot TUD5 diesel engine. The 1490cc engine RiO delivers a 65 bhp of peak power.
The company is taking necessary steps so that RiO will meet the new emission norms of the government that will come on effect from April 1, 2010.
It is also expected that the company will start delivering RiO in the month of December. This mini-SUV was expected to launch in the Indian market during Diwali. The growing love for SUVs in the country will truly help in the sales of RiO. During April-September 2009, the sales of SUVs in India rose 3.5%. And it is expected that the demand will still grow because of the rising disposable incomes and the construction of more cross-country highways.
The Rio will be offered in three variants, the EX, which is priced at Rs 5.25 lakh, the DX at Rs 5.50 lakh, and LX at Rs 5.95 lakh, ex-showroom, Pune.
