[fusionbang]

Originally Posted by 84.monsoon

I see a good side and a bad side of how Anand Mahindra has approached this. He is the non-executive chairman of the company so he cannot directly make a decision to award the cars on the company's behalf without the Board approving. He could have made the company give the awards, in which case it would have to be announced by Mahindra & Mahindra Auto and not directly by him. He has made a good call and set a good example on the Governance front by funding these cars personally. It is is a very good win-win-win bet for spending about 1 crore - a great gesture to recognize these heroes who deserve it 100%, getting a lot of positive publicity for himself & the group, as well as massive image boost for the new Thar.

However, the part about pleading with the company to give the cars on priority could have been left out IMO, and worked behind the scenes - it could make a lot of people waiting eagerly for the car for months (and are not interested or engaged with cricket - believe me, there are a lot of people like that in India today unlike their India of 80s where it was sacrilegious not to be immersed in cricket every single day if you are an Indian)

As per the article, he mentions clearly that he will be giving them away from his own account and not at the expense of the company. Also pleading part is like any other regular customer, and not as chairman of the company.

[Miel]

Originally Posted by Venkatesh

Thar removable hard top (front part) spotted testing in Chennai

Makes me a bit uneasy seeing this! The current "irremovable" hardtop, if you can call it that, has a far better fit and finish that this removable one. The many "cut-pieces look" is a tad bothersome, not to mention the gap at the top edge of the new tailgate glass arrangement.

However, the white color is a welcome addition to the standard palette. It was badly missed.

[yd_gli]

Originally Posted by 84.monsoon

However, the part about pleading with the company to give the cars on priority could have been left out IMO, and worked behind the scenes

As much respect I have for Mr.Mahindra, I feel he is actually too cool and too flamboyant for his own organization. Every other facet of M&M other than him comes across as an archaic business with incredible lethargy and mismanagement (production, dealers, service). His activity on Twitter tends to play to popular sentiments and at times he comes across as trying to emulate a visionary Western CEO (Jobs, Musk etc). I wonder at times as to why he is unable to instill a fraction of his attitude into his own organization.

In America, Tesla production and planning heads would have the courage to ask Musk to get in line for his order. In India, Mr.Mahindra's tweet will be taken as an order from God and the six Thars will be dispatched first thing tomorrow come heaven or hell with the minions working overtime to ensure the boss doesn't fall flat on his face. All these theatrics at the expense of a common customer and the talk of VIP/celebrity express deliveries tend to leave a sour taste for me with the brand.

[CEF_Beasts]

Originally Posted by Jaggu

There is an issue with central infotainment unit availability (shortage rather) and I believe now the vehicles are getting dispatched without that to the dealer and then the dealer waits for stocks of that unit to fix and deliver. So the painful wait may continue a little longer for all.

Yes, just saw a post on Rushlane related to the infotainment.

[pariyadav]

Originally Posted by CEF_Beasts

Yes, just saw a post on Rushlane related to the infotainment.

I too had a talk with my service advisor and he too said that they had received 2 vehicles without the infotainment system. I asked him to provide me one without it and deduct the respective amount or install it later. But the biggest stumbling block with my Thar is that it a P MT HT and they are saying that this variant is not available.

My SA and a higher up a up in Indraprasth Automobiles, Delhi advised me to take a diesel as that can be managed, but my requirement is Petrol mainly due to living Delhi.

People living outside the NCR are fortunate in this respect.

[84.monsoon]

IMO, it is pretty ridiculous that the car can be sold without the Infotainment system, when this is a standard published feature. If there is a shortage of this system, M&M should sell the variant without the infotainment system such as the AX variant and clear all backlogs of that variant. They could also announce a temporary variant (say CX) which has all features of the LX minus the Infotainment system at a slightly lower price and provide an option for those of the waiting list to opt for that variant. Instead, selling the car without the advertised part could invite penalties and lawsuits later on down the line.

[Jaggu]

Originally Posted by 84.monsoon

IMO, it is pretty ridiculous that the car can be sold without the Infotainment system, when this is a standard published feature.
====
Instead, selling the car without the advertised part could invite penalties and lawsuits later on down the line.

The bigger issue is there is a gapping hole there! instead of putting a 200 bucks dummy plate and shipping the vehicle, they have shipped em without anything on that dash area lol

[pariyadav]

Originally Posted by Jaggu

The bigger issue is there is a gapping hole there! instead of putting a 200 bucks dummy plate and shipping the vehicle, they have shipped em without anything on that dash area lol

Companies are very stingy in this respect. They may reason that soon they'll be filled and so why waste plastic and money, vehicles anyways are not going to be delivered without them.

They try to save every paise such as in tyres, switches, plastics in dashboards, hell mahindra hasn't even covered the carpet over the rear wheel wells. So such expectations are too much to expect from them or any other manufacturer for that. The bottom line is of utmost most importance to them.

[Sankar]

I have a question regarding the Thar's 3rd brake light. Does the 3rd brake light light up the interior of production Thar's like this? Does it cause too much of a glare inside the cabin? Image is from one of the Thar youtube videos.

[Venkatesh]

Picture of Mahindra Thar shipped without infotainment unit



Source : Rushlane

[Rajiv0909]

So I had the front parking sensors installed on my Thar thinking it would be helpful while manouvering /parking in the city.

It turned out to be an absolute waste of money - It's a standalone unit that isn't integrated with the HU or car in anyway. It is so loud that it can be heard at least 50 meters away from the car. More than an alarm it shocks/ distracts the driver, I wonder if it was tested / approved as a street legal accessory. I would suggest that prospective buyers stay away from wasting money on this accessory.

[Rajiv0909]

Originally Posted by Sankar

I have a question regarding the Thar's 3rd brake light. Does the 3rd brake light light up the interior of production Thar's like this? Does it cause too much of a glare inside the cabin? Image is from one of the Thar Youtube videos.

Attachment 2113955

It pretty much does light up like this but doesn't cause too much glare. That said there is a fair amount of reflection from the window glasses that tends to distracts the driver during especially during night runs

[SportsMedicine]

While i don't know much on the technical side. My Thar used to drag left at all any speed on leaving the steering even for few seconds. Also to go straight the steering had to be kept 5 degree on right side. I didn't notice this thing till my OCD came into action.

I thought about various reasons namely tyre pressure, alignment, balancing and steering calibration. PSI was perfect. My strong doubt was on steering calibration.

Thar was sent to the service team and issue was off centring of toe nut of tie rod. It wasn't properly aligned with the steering column. It was centered and steering re-calibrated. Now my Thar goes straight flawlessly at all speeds and steering is straight too.

Many Thar owners are posting regarding alignment/ balancing issues not being fixed even on multiple workshop visits. They might have the same problem as mine. I hope this helps.

[jkrishnakj]

Its been a while since we saw any new Thar showing up on this thread. Clearly, the issue of the Chip seems to be a big one. I do wonder how other car manufacturers are coping with this shortage?

Secondly, I read reports that M&M have shipped the Thars without the systems. If so, it feels like they are just pushing inventory out from their factories to the dealers. Its a pity that the dealers aren't able to sell those onwards, its a different topic if customers are willing to take home without the infotainment.

My dealer as usual, is very quiet. No news. Its a week past their CPD and no comms from them.

[lurker]

All dealers have gone really quiet. No new Thars are being spotted, new owners are not posting anymore about their Thar ownership reports. Supply lines have dried up. Jan has ended and now we are into Feb, soon Feb will also go and we will be in March.

The Thar wait is going to be a very very long one. Atleast a redeeming feature is Toyota will come out with their hilux sometime in May 2021, which will be an opportunity for long awaiting Thar-ified bakras to give a swift upper cut at Mahindra's jaw.