VW And Suzuki Planning The Nano-Swatter?
Das Autohaus [sub] has it from India’s Economic Times that VW and Suzuki are planning a low-priced mini-car which could give Tata’s Nano some problems.
Suzuki has in India what Tata lacks: An overpowering presence and the factories to build the thing. With VW’s assistance, it should be safe enough to qualify for EU certification – no small feat for such a tiny car.
Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.
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I could care less about Skoda's problems in any one particular small market, and India, despite its large size and population, is indeed a very small and insignificant market for most automakers and Skoda in particular. Note that CHINA, with a similar population, has a 11 million vehicle market in 2009, equal to the US or even bigger, for the first time ever, ie, the biggest in the world, and India only sells about a million cars (plus change, definitely much less than 2 million), but 8.5 million motorcycles, most them tiny 50 CC death traps. That's why I applaud the Nano and hope it will be far more reliable and higher quality than all the currtent JUNK one can buy there for a few $1000. Back to my point about Skoda, under Communism they were procusing some really pathetic vehicles, but when VW bought them, a real rennaisance happened! Skodas are affordable VW clones and also slightly different designs that have sold very well in Europe, one of the toughest markets in the world. There is no comparison between today's skodas and the skodas of the 60s and 70s, which were primityive, underperforming, noisy, cramped junky POS.
"I could care less about Skoda’s problems in any one particular small market" What this thread has taught me is that the above statement is absurd and true at the same time. Consumers can face wildly different experiences in different markets based on the local conditions and the service (both dealership and unofficial) network. Peugeots were long the rage in French-speaking Africa for instance, as Suzuki appears to be in India. Consumers everywhere are right to only care about service issues in those regions where they drive, and commentators should be wary of extrapolating their experiences to other markets. Separately, I too fail to see how a $5-6k car is competition for Tata's Nano.
Nuts... Show a little respect. You talk with such force about cars you've never owned, and probably never driven. It's ok to have an opinion, but its even better to know when to talk because you have something to contribute, and when to keep shut when you have nothing to say. I don't know much about Suzuki's presence in India..hence no comment. I do own a 1980s Skoda, and I frigin' love the thing. I wouldn't buy one for my mother, but its simple to fix, distinctive, and a blast to drive. I also own a BMW and an Alpina, so I'm no Skoda fanboy...just speaking from actual experience. Oh...and a 1978 BMW e21 3-series is a solid little car too - very reliable if remotely well maintained.