General Motor showcased the Mokka SUV from its Opel portfolio at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. Recently published images by French magazine L’Automobile, suggested that GM is working on a compact SUV based on the Mokka. The American auto giant has filed for a design patent of the compact SUV. While the Opel Mokka will go as Vauxhall Mokka in European markets, China will soon receive the Asian version soon. Moreover, looking at current scenario in Indian market, with Premier Rio, Ford Ecosport, Mahindra Mini XUV, Toyota rav4 possible in the current calendar, GM might have plans for India too with the compact SUV.
On a closer observation, the patent designs appear to be of an SUV based on the Chevrolet Captiva, which is an excellent product for the emerging economies. Though the Indian market is more driven by small cars, t
he compact SUV segment is booming with biggies like Ford Ecosport and Renault Duster in the line. The 2012 Auto Expo in Delhi witnessed immense response to the SUV class, and it is right time for GM to bring on the mini Captiva.
We speculate the GM compact SUV to share its platform with the Opel Mokka. In addition, we request GM to bring an all-wheel-drive variant as well. Resources also claim that GM could share technology with its French alliance, Renault, in building the compact SUV. The big question here is, how will GM position the new compact SUV. In India, it may battle against the Renault Duster, Ford Ecosport and Maruti XA Alpha in the compact SUV segment.