[subratasenn]

Now that Ambassadors are being phased out, Maruti Dzire has emerged as the prime taxi brand in Kolkata. Looks like in a few years from now, Kolkata will be a Dzire city, like it was an Ambassador city for so long.

Here is the report from today's The Telegraph.

http://epaper.telegraphindia.com/det...97-154562.html

[TheARUN]

The last bastion of the Ambassador has fallen. Looks like the Ambassador is now only going to live as long as automobile collectors are interested in it.

The D'zire is a worthy replacement, it's a proven car and has the qualities to make a good cab, however I personally feel the Logan would have been the ideal successor to the Ambassador

[GTO]

As expected. However, I did find some interesting stats in the article.

The Dzire Tour sold about ~500 a month through May & June in Kolkata alone. It moves about 3,500 / month nationally . That's more than so many newer sub-10 lakh sedans. The number has grown in recent years and there's a waiting list!

[AJ-got-BHP]

Interesting thread Subrata !!

The Yellow Ambassadors has been the pride of Kolkata since long now, adding a lot of colour to the streets as well. Taxi Operators still say that the Ambassador is a "Raja Gadi" due to it's extremely low cost of maintenance (considering the cost of spares) and that they can be repaired anywhere and everywhere.

However, the Dzires have already grown in number in the City of Joy. Though, it will take a lot of time for them to outnumber the Amby's that have been sold (in 2012-2013) in Kolkata as Yellow Taxis. The fact is that both the Dzire and the Ambassador having the same fare, commuters are definitely opting to use the comfort of the Dzire.

However it will be interesting to see how well the Dzire copes up with the mentality of the Taxi Operators in the long run who previously have been accustomed to use reconditioned spare parts in case of the Ambassadors; considering the cost of spares of the Dzire is way higher than that of the Ambassador. We might see the Automobile Spare Parts manufacturers coming in with cheaper replacement parts to cater to the needs of the Dzire Taxis in the times to come and we will see a flood of reconditioned Dzire Tour spares available in Mullick Bazaar as well.

HM being shut, the Dzire is the only best, tested, practical and a reliable option that the Taxi Operators in Kolkata have at the moment.

The positives with the Dzire coming in :

1. The transport scenario of the city will 'look' more updated
2. The passengers/ commuters shall get superior comfort with or without AC
3. Low cost of maintenance in comparison to the other options available to the Taxi Operators now
4. You will not fear the Ambassador Taxis pulling off your rear bumper or ramming you from behind due to poor braking system - they are more cautious and worried now as their cost of accidental repairs with the Dzire has gone up

[ku69rd]

Originally Posted by AJ-got-BHP

The positives with the Dzire coming in :

1. The transport scenario of the city will 'look' more updated
2. The passengers/ commuters shall get superior comfort with or without AC
3. Low cost of maintenance in comparison to the other options available to the Taxi Operators now
4. You will not fear the Ambassador Taxis pulling off your rear bumper or ramming you from behind due to poor braking system - they are more cautious and worried now as their cost of accidental repairs with the Dzire has gone up

Tour will not be an easy on pocket maintenance car, the Logan and Etios are better cost savers when it comes to servicing. The Engine requires a lot of consumables unlike Logan/Etios.

Space Wise Logan is the King followed by Etios. This will be an interesting space to watch.

[AkMar]

The article quotes a driver who claims to have changed engine oil just once in 133000 kms Definitely must be some exaggeration there.

[AJ-got-BHP]

Originally Posted by ku69rd

Tour will not be an easy on pocket maintenance car, the Logan and Etios are better cost savers when it comes to servicing. The Engine requires a lot of consumables unlike Logan/Etios.

Space Wise Logan is the King followed by Etios. This will be an interesting space to watch.

to your point totally.

But since the Logan had a really negligible market share in Kolkata and that the Etios was never a part of the Taxi Segment (apart from in a scattered way with select private taxi operators) in Kolkata, it is difficult to make the cult understand the facts of the maintenance costs of these vehicles and the benefits of operating with such amazing cars.

[mpksuhas]

Not related to sales, but certain lines mentioned in the article are

I have a Dzire that has run 133000 KM''s and I have changed the engine oil just once and brake pads on another occasion

Some would argue that thick gauge of metal used in Ambassador made if safer vehicle to be in.

[n.devdath]

Originally Posted by GTO

As expected. However, I did find some interesting stats in the article.

Did you miss the part where a taxi operator says that he has replaced the engine oil twice in 133000km.

[sumitkalindi]

The Stats may be exaggerated, however IMO not very off the mark. I have personally seen an Indigo operating for last 8 months without an oil change. every week the engine is just topped up with some oil and the car keeps on running. Given that a taxi/cab runs for around 250 kms a day on an average, the KM reading may not be very off the mark.

Though a new educated breed is in place who maintain the cars well, the former breed has not been wiped out, and still are a major part of the operators.

[Kumar R]

The 'victory' of the Swift Tour over the Ambassador may be a loss of a well recognised Kolkata icon but I can't help feeling it is a step in the right direction (whether intentional or not). Those ambassadors were unsafe not only to passengers but their drivers would use the size and weight of the car to intimidate other vehicles on the road and drive poorly. Forcing their way into lanes, braking lazily and tailgating -- I am sure they will have to rethink their driving styles with the Swift. I, for one, have already noticed the more sedate manner of driving prevalent in the Swift taxis.

[Lalvaz]

Originally Posted by ku69rd

Tour will not be an easy on pocket maintenance car, the Logan and Etios are better cost savers when it comes to servicing. The Engine requires a lot of consumables unlike Logan/Etios.

Space Wise Logan is the King followed by Etios. This will be an interesting space to watch.

On what basis do you say that the Tour engine requires a lot of consumables unlike Logan & Etios? I think that's factually incorrect, but would love to be proved wrong.

Awaiting your reply.

[ku69rd]

Originally Posted by Lalvaz

I think that's factually incorrect, but would love to be proved wrong.

Awaiting your reply.

Suggest you to read the maintenance schedules of all the three engines for your awareness. That should help you understand better.

[silversteed]

Originally Posted by ku69rd

Tour will not be an easy on pocket maintenance car, the Logan and Etios are better cost savers when it comes to servicing. The Engine requires a lot of consumables unlike Logan/Etios.

Originally Posted by ku69rd

Suggest you to read the maintenance schedules of all the three engines for your awareness. That should help you understand better.

Please quote the figures to bring clarity into your blanket statements. AFAIK, the maintenance costs, according to the many drivers that I've interacted with, is not a deal breaker when choosing among the Dzire or Logan or Etios. It is to be noted that the maintenance costs and time gap (not number of km run) between services is different from how it is with a private vehicle that clocks far less kilometres than a taxi.

Originally Posted by Kumar R

The 'victory' of the Swift Tour over the Ambassador may be a loss of a well recognised Kolkata icon but I can't help feeling it is a step in the right direction (whether intentional or not). Those ambassadors were unsafe not only to passengers but their drivers would use the size and weight of the car to intimidate other vehicles on the road and drive poorly. Forcing their way into lanes, braking lazily and tailgating -- I am sure they will have to rethink their driving styles with the Swift.

Exactly! Intimidating the other drivers with the weight and rigid (no crumple zones) build is something done by most Amby taxi drivers. They know that their juggernaut will feel nothing if it brushes against some lesser beings, read the other modern cars. Try it with a Dzire? Yea, you'll end up with a crumpled bonnet or a broken bumper, going to the extent of making it visit the workshop. Mellowing down is the only way to survive.

However, the pax would really miss the plush rear seat of the Amby

[shashanka]

Originally Posted by TheARUN

The last bastion of the Ambassador has fallen. Looks like the Ambassador...... however I personally feel the Logan would have been the ideal successor to the Ambassador

I tend to agree - if only for the fact that by all reports the Logan has a better ride and certainly more interior space.

Originally Posted by AkMar

The article quotes a driver who claims to have changed engine oil just once in 133000 kms Definitely must be some exaggeration there.

A private owner doing this is certainly an extraordinary case - but for cabbies fed on a steady diet of Ambassadors, this would not be too far off the mark!

Originally Posted by Kumar R

The 'victory' of the Swift Tour over the Ambassador may be a loss of a well recognised Kolkata icon but I can't help feeling it is a step in the right direction (whether intentional or not). Those ambassadors were unsafe not only to passengers but their drivers would use the size and weight of the car to intimidate other vehicles on the road and drive poorly. Forcing their way into lanes, braking lazily and tailgating -- I am sure they will have to rethink their driving styles with the Swift. I, for one, have already noticed the more sedate manner of driving prevalent in the Swift taxis.

Add to it the bone jarring ride of the Ambassador and its tendency (at least some of the examples I had the misfortune to ride in) to start off with a shuddering, jerking motion reminiscent of shot shockers and suspension bushes.