Maruti Suzuki A-star Launching on 19th Nov EDIT- Brochure on Page 7

[extreme_torque]

I dont know why should anyone prefer it over the Chevvy Spark. Spark comes with a better engine (or rather better balanced by design, 4 cylinder compared to 3-cylinder) and is comprehensively cheaper.

[Eddy]

With the situation GM is in, I would be very wary of buying a Spark. I wish it was a Hyundai or something.

That said, a 4 month waiting period for A star is insane.

[subbusos]

4 months waiting period for a newly launched car, will kill its market. Whats the point of launching the car, if they are not able to deliver. Even ONLY 50,000 for India, what stops them from delivering to the customer? IMHO, I think it shows their inability to meet the normal demands.

[elfhelm]

Originally Posted by Car-Agey

the waiting period is 4 months as per the sales person.

4 months is very long especially for a newly launched car. The Zxi @ Rs. 4.12 lakhs looks VFM. But if the rear seat leg room isnt much, I guess the major buyers would be people who mostly drive alone.

Personally, I didnt like the design, the headlamps look wierd and the rear seat promises to be majorly claustrophobic with the upturned windows.

Hopefully the suspension is better. In my Wagon-R I can feel each and every pebble on the road.

[hrishig]

I can't stop myself from putting the original concept picture here.

So what was showcased and and what was delivered..

[mxx]

Originally Posted by Eddy

With the situation GM is in, I would be very wary of buying a Spark.

i dont think it will be a big problem. By the way things are, the detroits big 3 will receive a bailout package. And since the american markets are not performing, they are going to focus more on emerging markets, if the bailout goes through, which means we can expect something good.


A Star is not in Bangalore showrooms yet. Hopefully by tomorrow.
To people who has had a chance to see A Star: How is the rear seat when compared to i10?

BTW, A Star website seems to stop@Everything

[joslicx]

Originally Posted by extreme_torque

I dont know why should anyone prefer it over the Chevvy Spark. Spark comes with a better engine (or rather better balanced by design, 4 cylinder compared to 3-cylinder) and is comprehensively cheaper.

One good reason would be the dire situation GM is in right now! It can go bankrupt within weeks if it is not bankrolled by the govt. GM is already a small cap stock!!! The company's market value is about 1 billion dollars only!!! And they are bleeding red every year (last 3 year losses total some 40 billion dollars if I am not wrong).

GM will go thru heavy restructuring (that if US govt agrees to help them). Nobody knows what will happen to whatever brands they hold right now. I would be very skeptical of buying any GM products right now. There might be no GM next year!!!

[vnabhi]

Originally Posted by hrishig

I can't stop myself from putting the original concept picture here.

So what was showcased and and what was delivered..

Point well made! Reminds me of the famous quote--'There's many a slip between the cup and the lip'

[RGP]

Originally Posted by Eddy

That said, a 4 month waiting period for A star is insane.

I guess that was just a safe estimate by the saleman. No way they can project a waiting period until they receive some bookings at least.
If very few people put money down in advance (which could happen in today's market scenario) the car may be available much earlier. Only way to find out is to get in the line.

[joslicx]

Originally Posted by hrishig

I can't stop myself from putting the original concept picture here.

So what was showcased and and what was delivered..

Man if Suzuki had launched that concept car, it would have costed something close to what Fiat is charging for 500!!! They wont have gotten even 500 customers in India for that!!!

But it was really awesome, the concept one. Wish they had also launched it, if only as a limited edition

[extreme_torque]

Originally Posted by joslicx

One good reason would be the dire situation GM is in right now! It can go bankrupt within weeks if it is not bankrolled by the govt. GM is already a small cap stock!!! The company's market value is about 1 billion dollars only!!! And they are bleeding red every year (last 3 year losses total some 40 billion dollars if I am not wrong).

GM will go thru heavy restructuring (that if US govt agrees to help them). Nobody knows what will happen to whatever brands they hold right now. I would be very skeptical of buying any GM products right now. There might be no GM next year!!!

It would be foolish to even think that GM will go bankrupt and will cease to exist next year. We had the same speculations about Hyundai too some time back.
GM has a slew of new models to be launched throughout the world markets. The latest Insignia is expected to bring in huge sales and so is the Cruze and the Volt. Dont write them off so easily.

[extreme_torque]

Originally Posted by joslicx

Man if Suzuki had launched that concept car, it would have costed something close to what Fiat is charging for 500!!!

And what makes you think so?

[d3mon]

Originally Posted by hrishig

I can't stop myself from putting the original concept picture here.

So what was showcased and and what was delivered..

Originally Posted by joslicx

Man if Suzuki had launched that concept car, it would have costed something close to what Fiat is charging for 500!!! They wont have gotten even 500 customers in India for that!!!

But it was really awesome, the concept one. Wish they had also launched it, if only as a limited edition

Modders, you know what we are waiting (pining) for

Damn, those half moon headlamps are worth killing for.
Who here thinks the Fiat 500 is better looking than the concept A-star ?

[amit]

the waiting period is 4 months as per the sales person.

Maruti salespeople are like our cops. Every time there is a bomb blast within hours the cops come out with suspects names and sketches and details of how the entire operation was planned. Maruti salespeople are the same. Every time a car is launched they immediately have the standard 'waiting period is 4 months, Sir' dialogue ready. Looks like it's part of their sales training.

[Eddy]

This time they have supported the statement with a reason.