Volkswagen!
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Volkswagen brings their stuff to India. The legend in automotive industry has many promises to keep and miles to go, but they have taken the first few steps. They have entered the market with Jetta and Passat already, and now are launching into whole spectrum. With launch of Phaeton, Beetle and Polo, they aim to take on the Luxury(against Merc and Toyota), Small car luxury(against Skoda and Maruti Suzuki), Small car economy(Against Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai). The Jetta is a mild success, with it making inroads into markets of mid size sedans. Passat is not making the waves it should have made. Indians still think of Mercedes first, and everything else later.
Phaeton is beauty personified, a superb piece. I wish to see it on streets and ogle it to my hearts content. Its a long time since I had seen a gull wing convertible, with doors open, silently on side of the road and my young neck strained to see it till our car passed the curve and I couldn't see it anymore. That was 15 years ago. From then on, I haven't seen a car which made me strain my neck(for that matter, I haven't seen a Bentley or a Porsche 911 or a Rolls Royce Phantom on road till now). I am sure Phaeton will soothe my eyes.
The Beetle. Whoever gave it the name is a genius. What a car. It defies every style mantra and still is the most beautiful car to look at. At around 20 lakhs, this car is too expensive, but Volkswagen says, if you look at 'total cost of ownership', this is very 'cheap' car. Well, for those who can invest that much without worrying for dinner. There are lots of luxury elements in it. And those who want to look for that in a small package(Pamela Anderson of cars, eh), do so.
Phaeton is not for me, and I don't want Beetle. Polo is one which I want. Lets look at that. Its a great car. Looks decent, promises a lot, and its Volkswagen! It gives great mileage. It is diesel(petrol to be launched soon). It is a car for a family of four. And priced at Rs 4,42,000*- Rs 7,00,000* , it is affordable too.
All said about engineering, FIAT which entered India long before all other players still hasn't understood us. Soon enough, Volkswagen will also realize it, and if it doesn't they are going to be in losers end. I have already seen couple of user reviews which complain about sales and after sales. We Indians don't care much about engineering. We are a ragged lot who drive around a lot without caring for traffic rules. If you guys don't make yourselves presentable for us, we don't give a s*** who you are in the world, you are not invited in the house again. I think, east understands this sentiment of ours better.
posted by Rajasekhar @ 6:17 AM
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