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Originally Posted by GTO Now, back to the discussion:
Absolutely not. We're still waiting for positive changes [b]since nearly 20 years |
I don't want to repeat, but for the sake of this argument, I'm repeating again -
Aggressive sales and service expansion is a positive change, setting up R&D in Chennai is a positive change, product face-lifts, new products and brand in the anvil is a positive change.
Even if the last two isn't fully convincing, the first two will definitely look like a positive change even to someone with basic common sense, isn't it?
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First, Fiat ties up with Premier. Then it breaks the partnership. It ties up with Tata and again, breaks the ties. In this time of searching & evaluating strategies, other car makers go from strength to strength, relegating Fiat to the bottom of the pile.
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Fiat is trying and not sitting idle. Not everybody is a genius to crack the code on the first try.
And what's wrong in trying? I know I'm failing, but unless I try, how will I know what is Success?
Yes, may be Maruthi and Hyundai went from strength to strength, but didn't Tata, which was once at top, go drastically down? Didn't Honda, which almost spiraled out, come back strongly? And, what's happening with Chevy now?
Did they all quit?
I think it is common sense to understand that UPs and DOWNs are common in any business, and sometimes the DOWN can be a little long. And, what is "little long" for one business may not be the same for other.
Also, we are not talking about a small time venture capitalist here, Fiat is an International Conglomerate operating for several decades.
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Their permanent placement at the absolutely last position in the market says a lot about the strategy (or lack of).
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I think my previous points have already answered this one.
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My comment was in response to your sweeping statement that Fiats are better than the competition.
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When you use a sweeping word such as "Sweeping", the least I expect is the post to be properly read.
This is what I posted -
"...that the cars are better than most of the competition, and a considerable few end up buying Fiat. "
Could you "spot" that?
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Here's where I disagree. To me, the Linea T-Jet remains the best petrol sedan one can buy.
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Glad, you like the Linea. I like it too.
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Unlike the awfully slow Punto, the T-Jet actually has performance to match its 'enthusiast' aspirations.
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Even I don't like the Punto for its slow nature. But I sold my Punto when I went abroad, when I came back, I bought a new Punto again. The boy racer in me enjoys my friend's Swift every now and then, but the mature enthusiast in me yearns for taking the Punto on those long drives to hills and forests.
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That change in reputation sure doesn't seem to be doing any good for them. I don't see an effect on their sales, despite greatly cutting the price and bringing the Linea to 6 lakhs! Neither the price cut or this supposed improvement of reputation has done anything for them, leading one to believe that the 'change in reputation' is perception only.
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It's very rare for a product, which bombed when launched, to recover. I think almost everyone is aware of that. All the price-cuts, face-lifts are part of the products life cycle, and in Fiat's case, it is just to keep the brand name floating.
Fiat makes good cars, is a good brand, has come up with a new strategy now, and most importantly they are trying hard. Can we give some respite to them?
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True. But there are a 100X that number of people taking 'informed decisions' and buying other hatchbacks too.
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True. My sister is small built, she drives a car to visit nearby shopping malls and beaches. She is contemplating changing her car now and I have recommended her the i10.
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They're actually surviving only because of their engine business. Ask me if Fiat makes among the best diesel engines available? Yes.
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Glad, you pointed it out.
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The best cars? Far from it.
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Not too far, I say.
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Actually, this statement isn't farther from the truth. Fiat has EXCESS capacity in India and it doesn't need to invest 'hundreds of crores'.
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I hope you read that the new investment is on setting up the sales and service network and on the R&D center, and not in the existing manufacturing plant.
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The Indian operations are not a priority for Fiat boss Sergio at all. It's not easy to see why. They even cancelled the plans to launch the Jeep brand last year, indefinitely delaying the launch.
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In a business, I cannot have equal priority to everything.
And I think they announced again that the Jeep brand will be launched in 2016
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They're mass market products that have been given the thumbs down by the market, and only appeal to a small number of enthusiasts.
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I think I have given a bit of explanation on my previous post, but quoting again -
"Punto and Linea, though basically have traits that satisfy a lot of enthusiasts, were launched targeting the mass market. Fiat realized what mass market expects is not what they are popular for, that is why they announced that they are going to be targeting a fixed set of customers, that is the informed ones who appreciate a car as a whole. That is why they shelved their plans to launch a B segment car. May be the other reason could be they realized they may not be able to penetrate the market of Maruti or Hyundai, a market that expects maximum fuel efficiency but skinny tyres, glossy plastics but tinny builds and compromised safety. " Quote:
In that respect, the VW Polo GTs are far superior.
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You are comparing cars that were launched six years back and cars that were recently launched. Even then, the T-jet still holds a candle to the GT, does that say something?
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Even if true, doesn't look like their targeting is working as the sales numbers remain the same. Good lip service, if actually provided. Heck, the totally niche & highly impractical 2-door Thar outsells Fiats products sometimes.
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Apples to oranges comparison!
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Or perhaps, they realised they can't compete in the mass market which expects a company to consistently back them, excellent overall quality fit & finish, frequently updated products, premium interiors, stellar reliability, cars that are easy to drive in the city and have a vast service network that remains stable.
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I read a thread from you with a title something like "Toyota accepts defeat in mass market penetration.." or something about Toyota accepting defeat in its inability to penetrate the mass market.
Does that say something?
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For enthusiasts who want a truly quick car with a solid build, good ride & handling, and detest slowcoaches, there's always the VW Polo GT range.
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There is T-jet too. And, I'm not going to delve into the obscene maintenance charges that VW makes the customer pay.
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Absolutely not. But you shouldn't be bothered as much with no. 5 or no. 6 as you should when you are continuously LAST.
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As as long as I'm happy with what I'm doing and hopeful of my future and working hard for that, why give damn to those numbers!!!