US car major General Motors has temporarily suspended production of the diesel variants of its small car Sail and the sedan based on it, for suspected quality issues in the engine.
Production is at a standstill since last Wednesday, and the firm did not give any specific timeline as to when it would be resumed.
The petrol versions remain unaffected.
The two cars are the latest that were launched by the company in its bid to catch up with its peers in the market. The company said the issues are not related to safety, and it is investigating if the cars already on the road were affected by this and whether it merits a recall.
Both cars are powered by the same 1.3-litre multijet diesel engine.
Production of the Bharat stage III emission version of its utility vehicle Tavera, which is sold mostly in smaller cities has also been suspended due to a potential emission performance issue. The company did not specify the exact nature of the problem.
"As part of General Motors’ stringent manufacturing and quality control processes, we have identified a potential emissions performance issue with the Chevrolet Tavera BS-III and a quality issue with the Chevrolet Sail hatchback and notchback diesel variant. Neither issue is safety-related," said P Balendran, vice-president, General Motors India. "We are working to resolve the issue," he added.
{{/usCountry}}"As part of General Motors’ stringent manufacturing and quality control processes, we have identified a potential emissions performance issue with the Chevrolet Tavera BS-III and a quality issue with the Chevrolet Sail hatchback and notchback diesel variant. Neither issue is safety-related," said P Balendran, vice-president, General Motors India. "We are working to resolve the issue," he added.
{{/usCountry}}The production halt comes at a time when the two cars were just about gathering sales momentum in the market. A dealer in Delhi confirmed that the company has asked them not to take fresh bookings. The waiting period of the Sail sedan, which stretches up to two months in some cases, is likely to increase.