[4x4addict]

I feel that they have not recovered from the XUV500 assault. They will have to keep *improving* the product until Mahindra slowly increases prices on the XUV and then launch it below the XUV500. Besides a few die hard Tata fans, there will be no takers, if priced in the same bracket as the XUV500.

If they keep on delaying the launch, they may as well kill the product as more competition is on the way.

[HappyWheels]

Ford Eco sport is just around the corner; the competition is not going to die down. Would be interesting to see the final product features vs the price.

[himavanth_m]

Originally Posted by HappyWheels

Ford Eco sport is just around the corner; the competition is not going to die down. Would be interesting to see the final product features vs the price.

Ford Ecosport will not be direct competitor to the Storme or XUV. It is much smaller in dimensions and it will not give the huge dimensions that Safari or XUV gives. Also I dont think Ford Ecosport has a diesel option under its range. They just have the 1 litre ecoboost engine plonked into the ecosport. If this is the case then there is all the more reason to believe that Ecosport will not be a direct competitor to the Storme.

Plus I strongly believe that Safari is brought with heart or for the image by most people. The sensible person who checks all the alternatives hardly buys a safari. But with delaying the Storme, it is loosing ground not just because new launches have come up, but also because the hype has died down. If the hype were there, just because of the hype, it would have moved off the showroom floors a bit more easily.

[jkdas]

Originally Posted by scopriobharath

UPDATE: From a semi-reliable source. Storme Expected Launch April Month end / First week of May. I hope Tata does not push the dates further.

Originally Posted by pjbiju

Storme production has started. I heard that an initial lot of 1000 stormes are being manufactured now. So the launch should be soon. I got this information about the production from a very reliable source.

Good! so bookign should start by May/June for sure.

Originally Posted by anujmishra

It is now imperative to know the difference/modifications/changes from the model that appear in Auto Expo and actual market model. This will be going to clear only after it is available in the showroom.

In these days they have got one more vehicle (XUV500) for benchmarking.

I think they are doing their home work right this time wrt to quality of product. I drive a 1lac kilo on odo Safari and every time I drive it me go Safari owners would understand this better.

Originally Posted by arvindmanju

if they launch it around June/July then they will have more players apart from XUV the Duster, Eco Sport to complete with, I dont understand what's holding them from launch.

Comfort and presence is what Safari is known for. I pray that the delay is only coz of the above said reason. I cant wait to drive a Safari with all disc brakes and new chassis!

Originally Posted by neel385

Does TATA really have any other option with the Storme? The product needs to be placed very competitively for it to sell. Other than the 4X4 low, it has no other USP. The Ertiga beats it on pure value, the XUV beats it in tech and goodies and with the Duster and Ecosport coming up, it might offer very little VFM as well.

So really, if the festive pricing does not go on for ever and not just three months as that is when the Duster will probably be out, I see the Storme going the Aria way. And that would be sad!

Ertiga ! I wont compare it with Safari unless you want something to move 7 people on NH.

Originally Posted by himavanth_m

Ford Ecosport will not be direct competitor to the Storme or XUV. It is much smaller in dimensions and it will not give the huge dimensions that Safari or XUV gives. Also I dont think Ford Ecosport has a diesel option under its range. They just have the 1 litre ecoboost engine plonked into the ecosport. If this is the case then there is all the more reason to believe that Ecosport will not be a direct competitor to the Storme.

Plus I strongly believe that Safari is brought with heart or for the image by most people. The sensible person who checks all the alternatives hardly buys a safari. But with delaying the Storme, it is loosing ground not just because new launches have come up, but also because the hype has died down. If the hype were there, just because of the hype, it would have moved off the showroom floors a bit more easily.

Ford's with that puny 1lt engine would be another snail on highway.

[rrsteer]

Now the XUV has been around for 6 months. But the Safari continues to sell @ 1200-1500 mark (and this is what it has been selling all along). So can't we treat the Storme as just an upgrade to Safari, without comparing it to XUV and thinking that Storme has to be positioned keeping only the XUV in mind?

[HappyWheels]

Originally Posted by himavanth_m

Ford Ecosport will not be direct competitor to the Storme or XUV. It is much smaller in dimensions and it will not give the huge dimensions that Safari or XUV gives. Also I dont think Ford Ecosport has a diesel option under its range. They just have the 1 litre ecoboost engine plonked into the ecosport. If this is the case then there is all the more reason to believe that Ecosport will not be a direct competitor to the Storme...

I hope so!

But, the small size might work to its benefit. And yes, there is a diesel option available. And isn't the 1 liter petrol a turbo charged one?

Originally Posted by himavanth_m

But with delaying the Storme, it is loosing ground not just because new launches have come up, but also because the hype has died down. If the hype were there, just because of the hype, it would have moved off the showroom floors a bit more easily.

+1

Originally Posted by rrsteer

Now the XUV has been around for 6 months. But the Safari continues to sell @ 1200-1500 mark (and this is what it has been selling all along). So can't we treat the Storme as just an upgrade to Safari, without comparing it to XUV and thinking that Storme has to be positioned keeping only the XUV in mind?

Proves that people who get smittened by the Safari will buy it, regardless of what the competition offers. Tata must try and built up on this, which they keep missing!

[himavanth_m]

Originally Posted by HappyWheels

But, the small size might work to its benefit. And yes, there is a diesel option available. And isn't the 1 liter petrol a turbo charged one?

Yes the 1 litre ecoboost engine is a turbo charged engine which develops in excess of 100 bhp (i think 120bhp) if I am not mistaken.

I do not remember a diesel Ecosport being mentioned in the Auto Expo. Could you please refresh my memory as to which diesel engine option would be available in this vehicle?

Originally Posted by HappyWheels

Proves that people who get smittened by the Safari will buy it, regardless of what the competition offers. Tata must try and built up on this, which they keep missing!

+1. This is the main reason I think the TATA's retained the overall body panels from old safari and just made minor tweaks to them in the Storme

[Dry Ice]

Originally Posted by rrsteer

Now the XUV has been around for 6 months. But the Safari continues to sell @ 1200-1500 mark (and this is what it has been selling all along). So can't we treat the Storme as just an upgrade to Safari, without comparing it to XUV and thinking that Storme has to be positioned keeping only the XUV in mind?

Also could be due to the numerous discounts tata has been offering to clear the stocks. Ideally, the sales should have been a little better with all the discounts.

Xuv captured people's attention and MM didn't let the hype die! Here, I see the opposite, TML built up the atmosphere around auto expo and have now left the public guessing!

If this delay is a knee jerk reaction due to the xuv, I would say, they should have known and planned better.

[himanshugoswami]

Got an update from my source in TML- per him, the reason for the delay of the Storme is NOT the XUV- there are some issues in suspension geometry that still need sorting out. that is the reason we are still seeing so many test mules. TML want to iron these out before launch.



As always, he had no idea of pricing or positioning since he is an ERC guy

[deepaktpatil]

Originally Posted by himanshugoswami

Got an update from my source in TML- per him, the reason for the delay of the Storme is NOT the XUV- there are some issues in suspension geometry that still need sorting out. that is the reason we are still seeing so many test mules. TML want to iron these out before launch.



As always, he had no idea of pricing or positioning since he is an ERC guy

Not a good news if this is true. Suspension has been known to be achilles heel of current as well as older generation Safari's. Hope the old story will not be repeating and Stormes endurance is much higher.

[swiftnfurious]

Originally Posted by himanshugoswami

Got an update from my source in TML- per him, the reason for the delay of the Storme is NOT the XUV- there are some issues in suspension geometry that still need sorting out. that is the reason we are still seeing so many test mules. TML want to iron these out before launch.

So the potential set of customers better stay away from the first lot huh? I seriously hope they do bring out a completely problem free Safari this time.

Slightly Off-topic:

Originally Posted by jkdas

...Ford's with that puny 1lt engine would be another snail on highway.

A turbo charged ~120 bhp [from various forums] engine which gets entire torque @ 1500 rpm makes Ecosport a snail? Knowing how Ford tunes their engines, I would NOT be surprised to see a sub 12s 0-100 timing.

Originally Posted by himavanth_m

..I do not remember a diesel Ecosport being mentioned in the Auto Expo. Could you please refresh my memory as to which diesel engine option would be available in this vehicle?

1.5L - 90 PS diesel engine doing duty in the new Fiesta as far as information in the net goes!

[Rahulk76]

Originally Posted by himanshugoswami

Got an update from my source in TML- per him, the reason for the delay of the Storme is NOT the XUV- there are some issues in suspension geometry that still need sorting out. that is the reason we are still seeing so many test mules. TML want to iron these out before launch.

As always, he had no idea of pricing or positioning since he is an ERC guy

Better stay away from this vehicle for atleast a year or so. The field reports from the first batch /report will definite help to serious potential buyers.
I am sure there will be tyre issues arising due to this.. O, c'mon once give a better product tata

[SunnyPaaji]

Note from Mod: There are several spelling & grammatical errors in your posts. This negatively affects the board experience for other readers.

Kindly ensure that you proof-read your posts prior to submission. Also, it would be a good idea to use spell-checkers.

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by himanshugoswami

Got an update from my source in TML- per him, the reason for the delay of the Storme is NOT the XUV- there are some issues in suspension geometry that still need sorting out. that is the reason we are still seeing so many test mules. TML want to iron these out before launch.

Confirmed. I heard exactly the same thing post the Auto Expo in January. From someone connected closely to the ARAI.

[comfortablynumb]

Originally Posted by deepaktpatil

Suspension has been known to be achilles heel of current as well as older generation Safari's..

A little OT:

A close friend of mine owns a 2.2 Safari, and I own a Scorpio. I have done 2 long trips [1000 kms +] in his vehicle and numerous short trips. These trips have been as a passenger, both in the front and middle seat. Compared to my Scorpio, the ride comfort in Safari was positively PLUSH!!

Hence, I am very curious when you say the suspension is the Achilles heel of the Safari, it is with respect to what? Ride quality, longevity or something else?

Cheers,
Vikram