Chevy hopes new SUV will captivate Japan
Automotive News reports on Chevy's plans to sell its Captiva SUV in Japan.
TOKYO--Chevrolet is returning to Japan with its first SUV in three years, hoping that the midsized Captiva will extend the brand's image beyond sports cars and boost sales in this market.
The three-row, seven-seat Captiva goes on sale here July 30 as part of General Motors' push to leverage its new, globally engineered model lineup.
The Captiva debuted in Europe this spring, but it was largely engineered by GM's South Korea unit. The Japan version will also be manufactured in South Korea. The vehicle shares the Theta platform that underpins such offerings as the Chevy Equinox and Cadillac SRX.
The Captiva, offered only in a top-trim package, will start at 3.54 million yen (or $43,300).
GM aims to carve a new niche with the Captiva in Japan, pricing it at the same level as rival offerings that are smaller, such as the Toyota Vanguard and Mitsubishi Outlander.
In Japan, Chevrolet has traditionally promoted a sporty image with such offerings as the Corvette and the Camaro. But it is trying to expand on that and improve sales with new models.
The Captiva will be Chevrolet's first SUV since retiring the TrailBlazer here in 2008.
(Source: Automotive News)