Skoda Fabia/ Fiat Petra - Team-BHP

Beetle · 4th May 2004, 21:48

Hi All,

Any Idea on when the Skoda Fabia is going to launched ?
How are they going to price it ? It has been some time since I read the review in Overdrive, but cant find any exciting news ever since.

Also what are your thoughts on the Fiat Petra , I think its a good buy if it has the same 1.6 litre engine as the Palio 1.6.
Any first hand reports ?

-Beetle

amit · 5th May 2004, 01:33

Skoda has not yet decided on the Fabia yet. Many times our over enthusiastic auto mag's go overboard with their Scoops.
Less said about fiat the better. How many ppl know that the petra has already been launched?

GTO · 5th May 2004, 01:58

The Fabia should be on the roads by the end of the year, provided Skodas new manufacturing facility is completed on schedule.

Buttttttttttttt the Fabia and the Petra are in totally different segments...atleast pricewise. Read in the Times that the Fiat Petra with a 1.6 liter 100bhp engine has been launched at just about 5 lakhs. Boy, if that is not value I dont know what is. Its built like a rock, and has ride quality levels that can put the entire Lancer/City/Baleno brigade to shame.

If only Fiat learnt how to market its brilliant products better

GTO

Beetle · 5th May 2004, 16:46

It does look like the Fabia launch will take some time ....

But the Petra is what excites me more , I have read that it has been very competetively priced at around 5 lacs.

But apparently Fiat India is a little slow with its publicity and ad campaign and expectedly their homepage does not say a word about the Petra.

-Beetle

Rtech · 5th May 2004, 19:15

IMO The name "PETRA" is just terrible! Sounds like a truck or something worse! They should have stuck with Siena, or atleast given it a better name! petra...sheeesh!

v12 · 6th May 2004, 11:46

Isnt the Petra a diesel Siena??

adityapd · 6th May 2004, 12:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (v12 @ May 06 2004,10:16)]Isnt the Petra a diesel Siena??

of course V12 petra is nothing but the diesel sienna ( with some minor cosmetic mods) rtech wa just referring to the name "petra" which definitely sounds ridiculous compared to its earlier name "sienna"

~A

Rtech · 6th May 2004, 12:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]Isnt the Petra a diesel Siena??

Well, yes and no. Its available as the diesel as well as with the 1.6. Not sure if the 1.2 is offered though. I know, coz I just called the Fiat dealer to check.

BTW, the Palio 1.6 can be bought new, although dealers don't keep a stock of them, but they will make it to order. The price - 5.5 lakhs!! A lil steep if you ask me! The "petra" with the same engine costs 5.3.

navin · 6th May 2004, 12:51

the fabia will not be launched before 2005. the next car expected out (after the superb) is the octavia 1.8 petrol turbo sometime in august/sept. this might get pushed to oct/nov. skoda has to work fast. if the civic gets here before the new octavia it is curtains for their bread winner. as it is the corolla, elantra and optra are killing it.

i tried contacting messers hassan and majumdar atskoda about their lauch dates but have not got any response yet. will promise to keep you guys posted unless one of you are better connected/informed

Beetle · 6th May 2004, 14:32

Folks,

Since the Petra is just a face lifted Sienna , I was reading Old Sienna reviews from AutoCar ( http://www.cybersteering.com/roadtes...a/buying.htm#1 ) and I dont find anything terribly wrong with the car itself . The only minuses seem to be thedrab interiors and not so great rear seat comfort , Why do you think the car was not such a big success ?

-Beetle

Rtech · 6th May 2004, 14:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]Why do you think the car was not such a big success ?

Marketing ...plain and simple. Ofcourse, the reputation Fiat dealers built for themselves didn't help either! But I think the primary reason was the terible marketing. Look at Ford. They were in bad shape during their Escort days, as they had a terrible product and shabby dealers. But, once they had a good product, they went all out with their advertising and created a lot of public awareness. This, more than anything has been instrimental in their rejuvination.

The Sienna/Petra is really a great car, and at the price, even better. Its suspension and build are really great, muuuuuch better than even a City. it also comes with generous equipement levels. But, things have just never gone right for Fiat from day 1, and they only have themselves to blame.

kiran · 6th May 2004, 20:05

Just saw the Petra at Pune's dealer. Not a bad looking vehicle.Just like the earlier Sienna.. Only the back boot is lifted, gives the look of a huge vehicle. Seating is similer to Palio. This Petra is not a NV version. So,, just waiting for the test ride report..

GTO · 6th May 2004, 20:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]Look at Ford. They were in bad shape during their Escort days, as they had a terrible product and shabby dealers. But, once they had a good product, they went all out with their advertising and created a lot of public awareness. This, more than anything has been instrimental in their rejuvination.

True, their "Josh" campaign is still counted as one of the best the Indian automotive industry has seen in recent times.

GTO

DOHC · 7th May 2004, 18:12

Well Fabia is indeed going to take more time to come to India.May be the begining of next year or the towords the fag end of this year.

The Petra had already been launched.Seems an immense VFM car , 100 bhp, heater and AC, power windowscentral locking for 4.75 (ex show room) is more than u can bargain for. Then there is that great ride quality and suspendion thrown in.

Sure Flair has a some really good competition now.

Fiat seems to be trying hard to get back in to the market with Petra. Unlike the last time around they are going about it step by step. The target for this year is just 14000 cars and so definitly they are not going to go over board with advertising

Its time they set their house in order , The stupid dealers werent simply able to handle the numbers that palio generated and look where the palio is now

lamborghini · 8th May 2004, 17:32

well the palio sales seem to be picking up now
i saw the petra. really good value for money
bigger than esteem and corsa.
the car doesnt look all that bad and is very powerful and safe.
very comfortable too.
FE is same as palio 1.6
now fiat should only worry about marketing it properly
failing which we shall see another good product die.
the a.s.s has definately improved.
i heard the palio sales are picking up
is this true

5th May 2004, 01:33	#2 (permalink)
amit Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 2,072	Skoda has not yet decided on the Fabia yet. Many times our over enthusiastic auto mag's go overboard with their Scoops. Less said about fiat the better. How many ppl know that the petra has already been launched? __________________ Some people drive cars. I drive the Palio.

5th May 2004, 01:58	#3 (permalink)
GTO Super-Admin Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 12,190 View My Garage	The Fabia should be on the roads by the end of the year, provided Skodas new manufacturing facility is completed on schedule. Buttttttttttttt the Fabia and the Petra are in totally different segments...atleast pricewise. Read in the Times that the Fiat Petra with a 1.6 liter 100bhp engine has been launched at just about 5 lakhs. Boy, if that is not value I dont know what is. Its built like a rock, and has ride quality levels that can put the entire Lancer/City/Baleno brigade to shame. If only Fiat learnt how to market its brilliant products better GTO __________________ GTO Self-imposed limits are the only type that exist. Break them....then, make it a habit. Exceed. Please don't PM for support. Use the Contact Form instead. Please read the NEW Team-BHP FAQ section for all your queries.

5th May 2004, 19:15	#5 (permalink)
Rtech Team-BHP Moderator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 6,161 View My Garage	IMO The name "PETRA" is just terrible! Sounds like a truck or something worse! They should have stuck with Siena, or atleast given it a better name! petra...sheeesh! __________________ He who makes the loudest noise usually has the least to say. Unfortunately they don't realise that and keep at it! ____

6th May 2004, 11:46	#6 (permalink)
v12 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 2,893 View My Garage	Isnt the Petra a diesel Siena?? __________________ Enfield Cafe Racer completed. Yamaha Cafe Racer started.

6th May 2004, 12:51	#9 (permalink)
navin Team-BHP Moderator Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: mumbai Posts: 11,789	the fabia will not be launched before 2005. the next car expected out (after the superb) is the octavia 1.8 petrol turbo sometime in august/sept. this might get pushed to oct/nov. skoda has to work fast. if the civic gets here before the new octavia it is curtains for their bread winner. as it is the corolla, elantra and optra are killing it. i tried contacting messers hassan and majumdar atskoda about their lauch dates but have not got any response yet. will promise to keep you guys posted unless one of you are better connected/informed __________________ Scixelsyd Etinu

4th May 2004, 21:48	#1 (permalink)
Beetle Newbie Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Chennai Posts: 33	Hi All, Any Idea on when the Skoda Fabia is going to launched ? How are they going to price it ? It has been some time since I read the review in Overdrive, but cant find any exciting news ever since. Also what are your thoughts on the Fiat Petra , I think its a good buy if it has the same 1.6 litre engine as the Palio 1.6. Any first hand reports ? -Beetle

5th May 2004, 16:46	#4 (permalink)
Beetle Newbie Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Chennai Posts: 33	It does look like the Fabia launch will take some time .... But the Petra is what excites me more , I have read that it has been very competetively priced at around 5 lacs. But apparently Fiat India is a little slow with its publicity and ad campaign and expectedly their homepage does not say a word about the Petra. -Beetle

6th May 2004, 14:32	#10 (permalink)
Beetle Newbie Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Chennai Posts: 33	Folks, Since the Petra is just a face lifted Sienna , I was reading Old Sienna reviews from AutoCar ( http://www.cybersteering.com/roadtes...a/buying.htm#1 ) and I dont find anything terribly wrong with the car itself . The only minuses seem to be thedrab interiors and not so great rear seat comfort , Why do you think the car was not such a big success ? -Beetle

6th May 2004, 20:05	#12 (permalink)
kiran Newbie Join Date: May 2004 Location: pune Posts: 3	Just saw the Petra at Pune's dealer. Not a bad looking vehicle.Just like the earlier Sienna.. Only the back boot is lifted, gives the look of a huge vehicle. Seating is similer to Palio. This Petra is not a NV version. So,, just waiting for the test ride report..

7th May 2004, 18:12	#14 (permalink)
DOHC BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: Tokyo - Hyderabad Posts: 50	Well Fabia is indeed going to take more time to come to India.May be the begining of next year or the towords the fag end of this year. The Petra had already been launched.Seems an immense VFM car , 100 bhp, heater and AC, power windowscentral locking for 4.75 (ex show room) is more than u can bargain for. Then there is that great ride quality and suspendion thrown in. Sure Flair has a some really good competition now. Fiat seems to be trying hard to get back in to the market with Petra. Unlike the last time around they are going about it step by step. The target for this year is just 14000 cars and so definitly they are not going to go over board with advertising Its time they set their house in order , The stupid dealers werent simply able to handle the numbers that palio generated and look where the palio is now __________________ Speed is not measured in seconds,it is rather a feeling....a state of my mind...

8th May 2004, 17:32	#15 (permalink)
lamborghini Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: South Mumbai/Smithfield, RI, USA Posts: 2,716 View My Garage	well the palio sales seem to be picking up now i saw the petra. really good value for money bigger than esteem and corsa. the car doesnt look all that bad and is very powerful and safe. very comfortable too. FE is same as palio 1.6 now fiat should only worry about marketing it properly failing which we shall see another good product die. the a.s.s has definately improved. i heard the palio sales are picking up is this true __________________ ¢нєєяѕ ℓαмвσ lamborghinirules@gmail.com

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