Will you buy a Tata over a Toyota?

This question popped into my head the moment I saw the chocolate brown Tata Aria at the Auto Expo last month. Instead of launching a next generation Safari – that has a huge fan following in India – Tata decided to introduce the Aria, which, if my calculations are right, will be the most expensive Tata car ever sold. If Tata could make inroads with the Indica Vista and Indigo Manza, new and improved editions of their best sellers, one is forced to think if the Aria is necessary? Maybe it is, but shouldn’t the next generation Safari come before sailing into unknown waters? The competition is unforgiving, and the recent entrants in the MPV segment have learned that the hard way. The Aria needs to be perfect in every department, and I doubt that’ll be possible right off the bat.

Now your car too can return better fuel efficiency without alterations!

You’ve complained to the service adviser at the local service station that your car isn’t as fuel efficient as some others. But have you ever considered mistakes you commit yourself, before blaming the car maker? How many of you check tire pressures regularly? How many of you use air conditioning sensibly? When was the last time you opened the boot to check for waste that might add unnecessary weight? Do you think about fuel economy while keeping the engine running at the two-minute red light? Do you keep your air filters and exhaust pipe clean by servicing at the correct intervals? I bet you’ve skipped at least one of the aforesaid points. Take care of your car, and it’ll continue to provide comfort, safety and joy to you and your family. Negligent ownership will only result in an elevated cost of ownership.

Mahindra’s looking to bring bigger bikes to India

Isn’t this the best thing you’ve heard this year? Media reports suggest that Mahindra’s two-wheeler division is planning tie ups with foreign companies to introduce high performance bikes in India. Mahindra could assemble the motorcycles in India with a large chunk of components sourced from local suppliers, which in turn will be cost effective. I predict the competition won’t be far behind however. Hero Honda and Bajaj, who have been the major players in the 180-225cc premium bike segment, might soon join the bandwagon. If Mahindra intends to shift gears, they need to bring in a revolutionary product at a reasonable price. Indian bike enthusiasts are tired of waiting for a high capacity motorcycle that won’t burn a hole in their wallets. Bring it on Mahindra, I say.

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evo is around the next corner

And we’re serious this time. After countless years of patient waiting, this rally-bred road-legal car that enthusiasts lust after is finally set to make it to our shores. Mitsubishi have been talking about bringing the Evo to India for the last few years. I reckon Mitsubishi will import the car in low volumes (CKD, maybe) to test the demand. So far, I think Mitsubishi have not been selling the right products in India. Companies like Yamaha have shown in the recent past that if a product that is relevant to an audience is brought in, then customers are ready to wait in line to grab them. The Lancer Evo X could trigger an avalanche, and show Mitsubishi what kind of products they should be selling in India.