[adasisthefuture]

Most luxury car makers are taking the CKD route to sell their cars in India obviously with a view to save taxes and make their offering competitvely priced. But a question that arises is whether the same quality controls and standards are maintained by these companies' Indian production facilities as their Plants, say in Germany, Sweden or United States ? It does not appear to be the case.

In support of my aforesaid contention, I would rely upon my personal experience with Volvo , a name virtually synonymous with safety.

I had booked a Volvo S90 sedan and since the colour I wanted was not available with the nearby dealer, I started looking for a dealer in other city/ state having stock of the said Colour as Volvo had reportedly stopped import of S90 kits and the colour was not available at the Volvo India plant as well.

I found out that the said colour was available in three dealerships across India and with the consent of my nearby dealer, I went to do PDI. I engaged Zekardo for performing the PDI and to my shock and consternation, Zekardo reported that the Car was manufactured/ assembled in May, 2024 however, the Tyres are of 2022 i.e more than 2 years old. The vehicle had some scratches as well so I rejected the vehicle. Thereafter, the dealer checked up his other S90s in his stock ( different colours ) and informed that all the cars have Tyres of 2022. Accordingly, the deal did not go through. Thereafter, I inquired with three dealerships in three different states and all of them said that the Tyres are of 2022. In a luxury vehicle, it is generally acceptable to have tyres 6 months to 1 year old however, anything beyond that is unacceptable inasmuch as shelf life of tyres is considered as 5 years in general. One could understand that in a one off case, a vehicle may pass quality control checks even after there being such issues however, vehicles of the entire batch of cars passing through and that too in the case of a company like Volvo's Flagship Sedan is not only shocking but also unacceptable as after all, Tyres are one of the most important factors as regards road safety is concerned. I am attaching images showing month of manufacture of the car and that of the Tyres herein below. The deal was called off ultimately and booking amount was returned more particularly because Tyres was something which could be visibly inspected from outside while other crucial components inside the vehicle are difficult to inspect and the possibility of there being quality compromises on those aspects also can't be ruled out.


I place further reliance on the recent accident near Bangalore where a family who bought a Volvo XC90 which is arguably considered the safest car in the world and there are claims that no one died in this car since 2002 ( although as per my understanding, this is only applicable to the UK ) died in an accident when a container fell on the car and the car got crushed claiming lives of all the Passengers. This accident was widely reported in the media and I assume all the learned members of this forum know about this however, I am posting a link of media report on this for reference. Though one may argue that in such an accident, no car, however strongly built it may be, would have saved the Passengers, the possibility of there being quality compromises on the car can't be ruled out as XC90 in India is sold as a CKD.


https://www.news18.com/auto/bengalur...t-9165396.html


Lastly, I place reliance on the recent media reports about owners of Volvo S60 in China finding out fake Bowers & Wilkins sound system in their cars with the name "Bowers and VVilkins". Apart from media reports widely available on the internet, the same is also reported in this forum, a link of which is given below.


https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/inter...ml#post5932394

All these incidences have raised serious questions with regard to whether the luxury cars sold in countries like India, China etc. are of the same quality as the ones sold in the U.S. and European markets.

I do not have any personal experience with regard to the German Trio but learned members of this forum may shed some light on them as well as based on their experience.

Everyone knows that this is certainly the case with the brands like Hyundai, Toyota, Honda etc. which has come to light through various crash test results wherein the same model has performed differently in different countries. I am not discounting the fact that the crash test standards vary from country to country but howsoever different they may be, it would be extremely difficult to justify a model getting 5 stars in one test and 1 star in another. It surely has something to do with the build quality.

In light of the above, i request the learned members of this forum to share their opinion on whether it is advisable to by a car which is a CBU and is manufactured in a US or a European Plant of a company rather than one assembled through CKD route in India if quality and safety is to be ensured even if it comes at a substantially higher cost compared to a CKD ?

Thank you.

[Doge]

We really need to lay that XC90's accident to rest. There is no doubt in my mind that Volvo is one of the safest cars one can buy. The only vehicle that would come out unscathed out of such an accident is some sort of an APC.

[Sahil]

Originally Posted by adasisthefuture

Though one may argue that in such an accident, no car, however strongly built it may be, would have saved the Passengers, the possibility of there being quality compromises on the car can't be ruled out as XC90 in India is sold as a CKD.

I find this statement very biased.

Also, I find that your reasons for rejecting a car of 2024 mfd having 2022 tyres is a bit extreme.

It almost seems like a Volvo bashing thread here but I rather give the benefit of doubt that it's not and focus on the main topic.

As for CKD vs CBU, I have never really found any significant quality difference to justify the large price difference. I am one who always waits for the CKD to launch rather than pay more for the CBU.
The only thing, I will say, that is usually better in CBU's is the quality of leather they offer. The softer higher end nappa leathers only seems to come on CBU models most often.
But then again, these days most cars are going vegan so even that quality difference aint as valid anymore.

[Turbanator]

Originally Posted by adasisthefuture

But a question that arises is whether the same quality controls and standards are maintained by these companies' Indian production facilities as their Plants, say in Germany, Sweden or United States ? It does not appear to be the case.

I am a big fan of CBU models But it will largely depend on the configuration of CBU vs CKD. Many times, manufacturers get offers from their HQ to unsold inventories, specific to right-hand drive. Like X3 M40i last year. Whereas at other times, the manufacturer may release launch editions initially, like S class before shifting to CKD. These CBUs may have some extra features which are standard overseas for base like Heated Seats/ steering etc. or even have better leather or audio or trim. So, I will pick either of those depending on how the car is configured.

Structurally I doubt there will be a difference, given the low volumes on CKD. We have a thread here about the Hyundai and even Ford Endeavour chassis difference between India and other markets so I will not rule out it entirely. It will depend on how many other markets Volvo operates. I won't be surprised if they indeed have a different chassis setup for China/ India and similar markets vs say EU or North America but very hard to allege such things if there is no proof.

Originally Posted by Sahil

Also, I find that your reasons for rejecting a car of 2024 mfd having 2022 tyres is a bit extreme.

Yeah, OP should have asked the dealership to exchange with newer ones. I know somebody who got his tyres changed on a Cayenne as Porsche uses some Taiwanese companies these days. The Dealer obliged without a fuss.

[IshaanIan]

Obviously a CBU would have gone through better quality control. That said, I am sure there are differences in the way brands like Mercedes or Toyota are able to replicate their quality checks in India vs how a Chinese owned company like Volvo might.

Originally Posted by Sahil

Also, I find that your reasons for rejecting a car of 2024 mfd having 2022 tyres is a bit extreme

Really? You would accept 3 year old tyres on a new car?

Originally Posted by Turbanator

Yeah, OP should have asked the dealership to exchange with newer ones. I know somebody who got his tyres changed on a Cayenne as Porsche uses some Taiwanese companies these days. The Dealer obliged without a fuss.

I am sure dealership would have obliged him with new tyres but the OP mentioned that if they all have 2022 manufactured tyres on 2024 manufactured cars, then there’s no saying what other shady tactics have been resorted to or deemed as okay by Geely

[AJ56]

There’s a massive difference in interior trim pieces and the way things are screwed together.

Two clear examples of this are my Accord and Camry, the former was a CBU and the latter is a CKD assembled in India. The difference in interior quality is very noticeable with the Camry, even the doors don’t shut nearly as solid.

2015 S500 and later S350D’s are also good examples. The S500 is built to a better standard with tighter tolerances than the 350 assembled in India.

I’m not a mechanic but if you follow the big names on you YouTube like Scotty and Savageese, they’ll all tell you that even mechanically, the cars made in Japan, South Korea and Germany are built much better than those made in Mexico and India.

[shankar.balan]

Ive driven a Skoda Yeti in England when it was launched.
I came back and bought a CKD Skoda Yeti in India.
They were the same. There was no difference in quality.

I now own a Hyundai Kona EV. This is a CKD.
It is very well put together and is definitely of superior quality vis a vis the other Hyundai and Kia cars which are made in India.

[navin_v8]

As long as I have the option, I will always and every time go for CBU. This is considering my previous experience of owning Opel Astra (1997 model). Everything in that car was stamped Made in Germany. The switchgear was from Siemens Germany, ECU from Bosch Germany, Fuel Pump from Bosch Germany, headlight and tail light assembly were Yorka Made in Spain and many other components. My next door neighbor used to work for Asian Paints during those days and he had been to GM Opel's Halol plant in Gujarat. He said while he visited a lot of car factories in the past but was completely blown away by the body shell of Opel Astra. He said the grade of metal was something different and underwent thick galvanization process to resist corrosion. I can vouch for this, as my Opel Astra stood for 8 long years in sun, wind and rain due to open parking (mind you my home is just 1 KM from Juhu Beach). There wasn't a spot of rust anywhere on the body.

This experience spoiled me, as a result my second car is a Mitsubishi Lancer (2004 model) which was a JDM Spec Limited Edition model. Akin to Opel Astra it has everything stamped Made in Japan. Fuel Pump is Denso Japan, ECU is Mitsubishi Electric Japan, Shock Absorbers are KYB Japan, Headlight and Tail light assembly is Stanley Japan, Power Window assembly is Denso Japan, and many other components. The car has endured sun, wind and rain due to open parking (mind you my home is just 1 KM from Juhu Beach). Everything in the car works perfectly and has never skipped a beat or left me stranded. It came out with flying colors during its first (15 years) second (20 years) fitness test done only last year. I am very much in a dilemma to replace/retire it and hence holding on to it for as long as possible.

Off Topic: I also prefer buying automatic mechanical watches which are made in their home countries. COO matters a lot to a buyer like me. For Example: If I have an option of buying a Seiko Prospex or even their base model Seiko 5, I would go for the JDM spec model (Made in Japan). Most people won't notice a Seiko watch made in Seiko's Malaysian or Chinese factories but I do. There's a saying that the Japanese keep the best for themselves (JDM spec) and if you want a piece of it then you have to pay a premium, which a buyer like me is willing to do.

[sushanthys]

Hi guys.

I own an MG ZS EV and a BYD Atto 3. The MG is a CKD whereas the BYD is a CBU. I upgraded to MG ZS EV from a Honda Jazz. Although the Jazz's build quality was OK, the MG ZS EV was solid. Heavy doors. It takes an effort to open the boot. Good quality materials & interiors.

A scooter once hit the rear bumper but nothing happened to it other than some scratches. And then we got the BYD Atto 3. It is a CBU. And the quality is very very good. The doors are very heavy and it needs some strength to open them. Very premium interiors. Thankfully, the boot opens automatically.

I also had the BYD E6 with me for a while. This was also a CBU. It was built like a tank.
Once I accidentally hit an Iron pipe supporting an enclosure while reversing. The pipe bent completely. Nothing happened to the car, not even a visible scratch.

If possible, go for a CBU.

[TallBoy]

This reminds me of issues reported on the CKD batches of Range Rovers Here is the link (Terrible experience with Jaguar Land Rover India and Modi Motors)

As I see it, there are two major elements when it comes to CKD quality: One is the global quality DNA of the brand, and two is the quality orientation of the India unit and people therein.

The quality of the end product is a multiple of both, and if both are below par, the end result would naturally be even worse as it is a multiple of both.

That aside, let's wait and see if the ongoing tariff debate leads to lowering the CBU-CKD differential!

[GTO]

Do keep in mind that CKDs have a high volume of import content in itself. But I will still say that the advantage remains with CBUs. Are they worth the additional price & stiff import duties? No way.

Where the QC difference is stark is with the "Made in India" cars that boast "value engineering" (corporate speak for cost cutting). Example, the Indian VW Polo & European car are incomparable. There are many threads on the Indian EcoSport & Endeavour cost cutting too.

Originally Posted by adasisthefuture

Zekardo reported that the Car was manufactured/ assembled in May, 2024 however, the Tyres are of 2022 i.e more than 2 years old. The vehicle had some scratches as well so I rejected the vehicle.

The first point has nothing to do with CKD or CBU, and is a matter of old stock and / or tyre shortages. The second point is a logistical issue and one you could see with CBUs as well.

I place further reliance on the recent accident near Bangalore where a family who bought a Volvo XC90 which is arguably considered the safest car in the world

No car on the planet is death-proof.

[sarathlal]

Originally Posted by adasisthefuture

I engaged Zekardo for performing the PDI and to my shock and consternation, Zekardo reported that the Car was manufactured/ assembled in May, 2024 however, the Tyres are of 2022 i.e more than 2 years old.

If you raise this with the dealer, they most likely will replace it with newer set of tires.

[123.rishabh]

I personally feel the CBU models have a better quality of Paints etc. but definitely not worth the premium which is to be paid in the name of additional duties.

Also there are 2 types of imported assembled kit models which are usually referred to as CKD only but there is a difference.

1.CKD: Completely Knocked Down- In this case, the Body is painted locally.
2.SKD: Semi Knocked Down- In this case, the Bodies are pre painted at the home facility outside India.

I feel the SKD models definitely have a better paint finish and are worth buying.

[Imminent1776]

I have a CBU C220d and don't think the quality is any better than domestically assembled variants. In fact, my car has a worse audio system than CKD versions.

[Mr.Ogre]

I think a lot also depends on the manufacturer and their origin. If it is a Chinese ICE, I don't think it would matter if it was CBU or CKD or locally made.

If its Japanese and made in Japan, then definitely yes over a CKD or a locally made. But I don't think I would be so enthusiastic if it was a CBU from Thailand.