Away from the high-voltage, high-decibel launches of ritzy wheels, two Pune-based companies – Premier Ltd and Force Motors – made a low key bid to showcase variants of their recently launched SUVs at the Delhi Auto Expo 2012, reiterating that they too want a bit piece of the Indian passenger vehicle pie.

Revamped versions

Premier Ltd, the erstwhile maker of the once-ubiquitous Padmini (now relegated to the annals of auto history), which rose from the ashes of not one but two alliances with global partners, and launched the RiO a little over a year ago, has given it a makeover and is displaying three versions of the revamped compact SUV.

The company is introducing new petrol and diesel variants that will be available from later this month and a CRDI variant using Fiat's 1.3-litre engine, which is currently undergoing homologation and will be commercially made from April, Mr Rakesh Mehta, VP and head of Premier's auto division, says.

Premier has invested Rs 250 crore in its Pune plant to date, and set up capacity for 50,000 units annually, and will invest additionally down the line, he says, adding that the number of dealerships will also be doubled from the exiting 50 during 2012. Currently, the RiO, for which it has inked a long term deal with Chinese company Zoyte Nomad for components, is being marketed in Maharashtra, Punjab, Haryana, Karnataka and some parts of the North East, and a phased rollout across India will follow, he says.

Four wheel drive

Force Motors Ltd (FML), which made its entry into the passenger vehicle segment with the SUV Force One a couple of months ago, is showcasing a four wheel drive of the same, as well as a hybrid version of the 17-seater Traveller.

“This is fitted with solar panels and can run 20 km on a single charge,” says managing director Mr Prasan Firodia, adding that this vehicle has regenerative braking and exhaust and is slated for commercial launch in mid 2013.

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