General Motors may source Tavera engines from Sonalika Group

For its multi-purpose vehicle Tavera in India, General Motors is planning to obtain engines from the Sonalika Group to meet new emission norms. Regarding the same, GM is planning to make a formal announcement this week. The company is likely to source Bharat Stage IV compliant engines from Sonalika Grioup.

The sources close to this matter said that General Motors India has already decided on the deal and the signing of the agreement will take place in the coming few days. A source further added that General Motors India has decided to source BS IV engines for one of its best sellers Tavera from Sonalika, which has already upgraded its own utility vehicle Rhino to the new emission norms. 

General Motors India V-P P Balendran commented that GM is discussing with 3-4 vendors for sourcing Tavera’s engine. The company will soon announce about it, once everything is finalized. Although Sonalika Group chairman L D Mittal did not comment on this matter.

General Motors India is presently conducting testings of the engines with the Tavera, said the sources. GM India could not upgrade engines to comply with BS IV emission norms and as such had to hold the sale of Tavera in 13 cities which included Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore.

GM had also announced earlier that Tavera would be withdrawn temporarily and the vehicle would be upgraded later. However, since April, no major change has been witnessed in Tavera’s sales. Tavera has been able to maintain sales of around 1,500-1,600 units a month.