[kpbhatt]

NEW DELHI: The Tata Motors’ Rs 1-lakh car may soon become the car of choice for taxi operators across the country. Taxi operators’ are postponing their plans to buy Indica and other small cars and waiting for the Tatas to showcase their small car in the Delhi Auto Expo in January 2008.

BPO cab vendors are also eagerly awaiting the car. The Rs 1-lakh car could also provide the autorickshaw manufacturers a run for their money as it will be cheaper than an autorickshaw.

full article here:
Tata's small car may become taxi operators' choice- Automobiles-Auto-News By Industry-News-The Economic Times

[deadman]

even I'm waiting :d (after selling Maruti Swift LXI)

[HKP]

It will be very interesting if Auto drivers starts switching over to this. That will be surely welcomed by a lot of people in Bangalore like places.



\\hkp

[amit27]

I am sure this car will be safer and price competitive to all Autos

[dadu]

Imagine auto drivers driving tata cars like their current autos, it will be a mess.

Originally Posted by HKP

It will be very interesting if Auto drivers starts switching over to this. That will be surely welcomed by a lot of people in Bangalore like places.



\\hkp

[pawan]

i have a feeling i am going to be seeing a lot of traffic jam.

[bmdesai1987]

Nice joke guys...... But there is still to be revealed....

[deepakhon]

Problem with auto is that they have very good maneuverability. Even before you can blink your eyes, the auto can turn 180 degrees and can be right opposite to you. But, with a steering put into your car, there is no way you can get such maneuverability.

Yes, too many 1 lakh cars could cause traffic jams, but at least, auto drivers will be forced to drive a bit cautiously.

[sbasak]

autowalahs have a nasty habit of assuming that if their front wheel can squeeze into a gap, the entire auto will pass thru :( Thus scraping thru all the cars besides.

I hope a wider front will teach a better driving technique

[raul]

I think 4 wheeler autos are preferable to 3 anyway in the interests of safety, however the Tata car may not be the right choice, what we need are non polluting electric engines not unlike golf buggies. Rickshaws don't need to fast, don't need to go far. That would be the ideal.

[greatDrive]

Originally Posted by deepakhon

but at least, auto drivers will be forced to drive a bit cautiously.

No One in this world can make Auto drivers cautious. They will drive the way do it now.

BTW, I am also looking forward for TATA lakhtakia..

First, the auto and "normal" Indica taxi segment are entirely different. If anyone is holding off the purchase of their Indica, the reason should be the new-all new Indica, and not the 1.2 lac golf cart.

Second, 1.2 lacs is likely the price of cheapest petrol variant. I do not think either taxi or auto wallahs will want a petrol golf cart. They want diesel, and that would be 1.6~1.8 lac territory.

This Tata golf cart will be good value for inner city taxi operators who presently rely on Omni CNG, Indica etc for ferrying people P2P within city.
The touring segment will likely stay with Indica and more "luxurious" cars.

And autos will continue to thrive until government(s) realize that practising democracy on the street by allowing rickshaws, autos, animal driven carts is stupid, and bans these vehicles all together.
It will take another 50 to 100 years of evolution for that to happen in India, so no worries.

[blue_pulsar]

I guess the Tata 1 lac will replace Autos. Or may be even the Maruti Omni cabs.

Now we will get to see that Indica will become premium segment cab

[theMAG]

This is atrocious news; its even worse than the expected personal (number of) Tata1s

[manojgautham]

I am tired of the Indica menace......

I can't imagine another addition to the league.... That too driven by autowallas.