[akhil.sharma]

Woke up on Tuesday morning to BOLT reward card in a TOI ad by Tata Motors. In a separate supplement altogether talking about multi-drive. I’m really tempted to test drive the Bolt. Seems to have positive reviews by experts. They are especially happy with the handling of the car. Want to check it out myself.

[Latheesh]

4 page ad with today's Times of India had a card (credit card size) attached. Take it, test drive Bolt, let dealer scan your card, and you may win a Bolt!

[Aficionados]

Adding snaps capturing the TOI advertisement for Bolt.
For Zest, Tata provided a dummy key when it was launched through similar add, which was appreciated/liked by many people.
With bolt, they have done even better marketing with this Card, which entitles you for Test drive & some freebies, if selected through some lottery system. It's good enough to create interest amongst new buyers, I guess!

[GrammarNazi]

Heavy ads bring in good numbers provided the pricing is right, just a sightly lower would've put a proper dent on Swift's numbers. Anyway, they'll have their own set of buyers.

Originally Posted by Aficionados

Adding snaps capturing the TOI advertisement for Bolt. ...
Attachment 1335991

Notice they haven't quoted Team-BHP like last time. Team-BHP was slightly misquoted last time. It was a small change/error, with seriously different message being conveyed IIRC. Anyway.

Print ads are OK, but really hope they leave behind that horrible TV & Youtube advert. Just change over to the initial Bolt video! :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9QVjvUgJgk

[akhil.sharma]

The way of promoting the product was excellent by Tata Motors, i must say. Tata Bolt styling is neat, its got the presence, its got the poise in the automotive market. Tata Motors has furnished this product extravagantly and placed in the hatchback segment in a splendid manner. Great going Tata Motors. Good luck to Tata Motors Without a doubt, you will continue to succeed in all areas!

[madhu33]

So the Jan 2015 sales tally is 2400 aprrox units,Which is more or less on expected lines IMO.
Not to forget , this might also include some anticipatory inventory shipments to
most of the dealers.

It remains to be seen, where it goes from here.
Whether TATA will be able to sustain the number.

There sales front has to really pull up their socks.

[saket77]

Originally Posted by madhu33

So the Jan 2015 sales tally is 2400 aprrox units,Which is more or less on expected lines IMO.
Not to forget , this might also include some anticipatory inventory shipments to
most of the dealers.

My thinking is that the Bolt numbers will consolidate, and ironically, we may see a spike in Zest's figures. The pricing of Bolt is bound to steer many Bolt seeking customers towards the Zest. Good thing that Bolt customers will not leave the Tata showroom, if the sales personnel are aggressive and smart.

[akhil.sharma]

Here i found some great information about the all new ravishing Bolt interiors

Interior of the vehicle is just commendable as the material used by Tata in this new-vehicle is none like we have ever seen before. The overall layout is pleasing, simple and stylish with no unnecessary features or embellishments.

Talking about the Driver cockpit.. Bolt is driver-focused, cockpit delivers a good forward visibility. An ideal seating position can be achieved by adjusting the steering wheel column height, seat height, and backrest angle, allowing comfortable control of the steering wheel.

Source: Drivespark http://www.drivespark.com/car-review...on-009137.html

[safari_lover]

Autocar India writes about the initial market response to the Bolt. The response is in line with TaMo expectations and it is the XMS RT variant which is in demand, according to them. I wonder if it's too early to analyze the response though.

http://www.autocarindia.com/auto-new...nd-393270.aspx

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by safari_lover

Autocar India writes about the initial market response to the Bolt. The response is in line with TaMo expectations and it is the XMS RT variant which is in demand, according to them. I wonder if it's too early to analyze the response though.

http://www.autocarindia.com/auto-new...nd-393270.aspx

Carefully worded to give a feel that the Bolt is a successful product off the line, but the actual essence is only regarding the top variants and also the petrol engine getting more bookings when compared to the entry level variants. TATA Motors expects this trend would help shed the taxi image of the Bolt.

This is similar to the marketing strategy they tried with the Indica Xeta. To repeat their own marketing jingle - 'Got to be dumb' to repeat the same failed trick again.

[rohansachar]

Had gone to Wasan Motors, Mumbai showroom for checking an accessory for the Storme. Saw a silver Bolt test drive vehicle.

It doesn't look great in flesh IMO. While Zest has a very different styling finish, the rear of Bolt feels out of tune to the front. The curve at the rear seems incorrect/mismatched to the height of the vehicle. I'm implying the curve at the rear of the Elite i20 looks good in proportion to the front style, length and height of the car; the same dynamics however were missing in the Bolt.

[Captain Slow]

I went to have a closer look at the BOLT today.

From the Outside and the inside this car looks great! Good fit and finish to the average person.
But for someone like me I could see several bad spots and bad finishes.

The Good +
Excellent built (For a Tata)
Looks great from the outside
Comfortable seats
Good equipment level
Wheels had Cladding

The Bad -
Poor fit and Finish of the seats (fabric was seen ripping apart in a brand new car)
Poor Fit and Finish of Door pads (attached pictures)
I could see some rubber and plastic sticking out here and there.


Rain water protection (The inside plastic layer) Was seen coming outside the door pads. (See pic) This was on another door not the same one from the above picture!


Exposed Defogger Wire (See Pic)
These faults or observations were on a brand new Bolt in a Tata Showroom. Can one else confirm if this how all the Bolts are ?



Very Little head room !
I am built a little big (a little over 6'1) I found the front seats to lack the headroom required! My head was almost touching the roof!
(Maybe someone adjusted the seats on this and left it in a bad position)


The Sales person interacting with me wasn't well informed about the car.
On asking him if the bolt had disc brakes -
His reply -
Only Top end has disc brakes.

hmm!

The Bolt Base XE variant petrol = Rs -/5,40,988 On Road
Mid XM variant petrol = Rs -/6,31,769 On Road

Cars have become expensive

[narayan]

Got an sms from the chennai dealer that there is a 45000rs offer upon exchange. I foresee good offers coming in for the Bolt soon given the launch price and lukewarm response

[H_Dogg72]

The exposed defogger wire is also present in my polo.
The bolt is priced at the same level and compared to manufacturers like Maruti. You get quite good build quality
. The doors though, are unacceptable.

[ashis89]

+1.
The exposed defogger wire is present in my WagonR too. I agree on your point about the doors but somehow my perception is that Tata cars are sturdier. My comments come after experiencing the flimsy panels of newer Maruti cars (only). Though the cars are trouble-free, they feel very cheap. The cars in my discussion are my '11 WR and a '10 Swift D. I can literally push the doors, the front quarter panel and the bonnet with thumb, almost 1cm into the body. That makes me really nervous when I imagine any accident with the car.

Sorry for going off-topic.