Re: Tata Nano : Test Drive & Review Quote:
Originally Posted by ahmad.007 Brilliant little car, I even thought of getting one for my self too. But then if for 2 lakh someone can buy a Nano, he could also buy a used Wagon R, Spark, Alto, A-Star, etc, in good condition |
That is one very valid point, and I remember thinking this even when it was supposed to be a one lakh car, when a decent condition Maruti 800 was going for about 130000, which would be a better all around car if highway performance was to be thrown into the comparison.
Add to this the real price on road, issues such as inconvenient hatch access, the usual Tata niggles and mediocre after sales service, stepney issue because of different sizing of front and rear tyres, only marginally better FE - this killed Tata plans for the expected volumes. As did the fact that for lower income groups, the FE gets compared to that from two wheelers as a vital consideration. And the catching fire thing didn't do it any good either.
In my case, I am fortunate enough to be in a place where it will be the third car in my garage - a Gypsy is my second - so I can indulge in my love for its looks, character and fun to drive in the city appeal to go for it now that the first lot of buyers have done being the guinea pig experiment population that Tata seems to need more than other manufacturers do. But even today, if it was to be my first and only car for some time to come, I would look to the used car market, if I could afford the petrol running expense of a car over a two wheeler. If many people think on these lines, building volumes for the Nano isn't going to be easy.
I also find that TML is remarkably responsive to direct approaches today - way ahead of any other auto company at this point in time. There is very clearly an intent to get things back on track. But when I compare them to Toyota, the difference is that in the latter case even service processes are so robust that things get done without escalation, using the same "right first time" approach they have for manufacturing. Which is how things have to be for a mass market product that has volume aspirations. Quote:
Originally Posted by honeybee They did appoint a third-party team to investigate and report on whether it was due to any manufacturing defects (which the team found wasn't the case), and they did take some safeguards to prevent such things happening in future.
Isn't the lack of any such incidents for so many months proof enough? :-)
The engine noise, even with regular petrol (sold by other petroleum companies) is very much less. I don't feel any difference between the Nano and my earlier Santro, or for that matter even the Ikon. With windows rolled up it's actually pretty quiet. |
Lack of incidents is proof enough for me, but the very fact that I was posed this question is a pointer to public perceptions. In such cases, memories are long, also no doubt fuelled by competitor moves.
But I have to point out the lack of manufacturing defects doesn't necessarily mean there wasn't a design defect, does it?! Anyway, I am not worried about this aspect of it, but it is something for Tata to think about. I have done my bit in pointing this out to them.
Good to hear about the engine note/noise. I have decided to get a new LX, once the 2013 models are on sale.
Last edited by Sawyer : 11th July 2013 at 07:07.
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