Premier RiO SUV launched

Premier Ltd. (formerly known as Premier Automobiles limited) re-entered the Indian passenger vehicle market with the release of a compact SUV named RiO. According to the compnay Premier RiO aims to cater to the segment between mid-size passenger cars and larger utility vehicles. The compact SUV is powered by Premier’s 1489cc turbo diesel engine based on Peugeot technology delivering close to 65BHP and a fuel efficiency of about 16 km per litre. The vehicle is based on a Daihatsu model will be sourced from China through a component supply agreement with Zotye group, the Chinese manufacturer that sells close to 100,000 units per annum of this model from its modern plant near Shanghai, China.
Premier RiO is available in red, white, silver, black and blue colours and comes equipped with power steering, front power windows, central locking and CD/MP3 player. There are both A/C and non-A/c versions, while higher models have additional features like anti-lock breaking system (ABS) and alloy wheels.
It was reported earlier that Premier Auto will assemble the RiO at its Pune plant and sell it through its dealer network in a phased roll out starting with West and South India. The Company currently has 30 dealers that it is expanding to 100 in the next 6 months thereby creating an all India network. Premier is beefing up its sales and service support and will be offering a 3 year warranty for the RiO.
The RiO will retail in 3 versions -RiO Ex which is the base model is priced at Rs.5.25 lakh; RiO DX which is priced at Rs. 5.50 lakhs and RiO Lx at Rs 5.95 lakh, ex-showroom Pune. This makes the base model nearly Rs.1.5 lakh cheaper than other SUVs on the Indian roads.
The RiO comes with foldable split rear seats thereby providing multiple seating configurations and, its unique feature is a very high ground clearance enabling it to comfortably operate on all types of roads. Premier will commence deliveries in December 2009. The initial production has already commenced and the first cars are expected to hit selected dealer show rooms in the first week of November for customer display.
Premier was established in 1944 by industrial pioneer Walchand Hirachand and was one of the first Indian companies to start manufacturing automobiles in collaboration with Chrysler Corporation U.S.A. The first car rolled out of its factory in Kurla, Mumbai in 1948. Thereafter, Premier has had several collaborations/joint-ventures with FIAT, Nissan, Peugeot etc. Its most popular model was the FIAT 1100, popularly known as Premier Padmini, reputed for its ruggedness and reliability. Premier has also successfully launched several other models including the popular 118 NE, Fiat UNO and various diesel variants. In 2000 it discontinued its Premier Padmini production temporarily withdrawing from the passenger vehicle segment. Currently it manufactures a diesel van known as SIGMA with ambulance, tourist taxi, school bus etc. variants. Similarly Premier Ltd. also manufactures a 1.5 tonne- LCV called as Roadstar with several variants.

MD.AZEEM PARVEZ
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