General motors India is all set to launch the diesel variant of its city car, the Chevrolet Spark, by end-2009.Although the company has not provided any details about the diesel Chevrolet Spark, it is expected that the car will come with a one-litre common-rail diesel engine and will be priced at 15-20% more than its petrol variant.

The diesel variant of the Chevrolet Spark would offer improved fuel efficiency and better handling. Reports say that the diesel engine will provide higher torque as
compared to its petrol counterpart.

P Balendran, vice-president, corporate affairs, GM India said that the company is also working on alternate fuels, for the Chevrolet Spark, in order to roll out the Chevrolet Spark on Indian roads.

Meanwhile, on June 10, 2009, GM had launched the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) version of the Chevrolet Spark, at a price of Rs 3,52,00.

The Chevrolet Spark LPG version is said to offer low running costs and give a mileage of 350 kms.

The company also plans to boost its export volume, and has said that it plans to export 20 per cent of its total capacity of 2.25 lakh vehicles to fast growing markets like Europe, Latin American, and Asia Pacific markets by 2011.

GM also plans to export the Chevrolet Spark to the United States, by 2011.

GM also hiked the price of its cars for the second time in 2009, including that of the Chevrolet Spark. GM also launched a new Chevrolet Spark Muzic Limited Edition.

The company has built a new facility in Talegaon, Maharashtra, where the Chevrolet Spark will be manufactured. GM has said that it may build another plant at Talegaon if there is an increase in demand for its small cars.