Should the Tata Sumo be put to rest?

salilpawar1 · 17th April 2006, 10:37

Tata Sumo, a major contributor in Tata's success story, is in a way fighting a losing battle in the MUV segment from UVs such as the Scorpio, Innova, Tavera. Although its rural brother, the Spacio, is selling in decent numbers, the Sumo Victa has failed to attract the urban customer. Although I still like the Sumo for its rugged character, it does not have the refinement of the Innova, the character of the Scorpio or the practicality of the Tavera. Shouldn't Tata launch a much needed improved version of the Sumo and/or the Sumo should be put to rest for an all new vehicle based on the Indiva/Xover concept or reposition Sumo as an SUV with mechanicals sourced from the Safari DICOR?

ghostrider4385 · 17th April 2006, 10:50

Do you know the number of sumo's still used by BPO's and the likes to ferry employees from home to the office and back? It's pretty big. And why would these companies go for these sumo's? For the reason that they spacious and cheap! So now, wouldn't sourcing mechanicals from suv's like the safari dicor and other elements from all the above mentioned vehicles increase its price? And wouldn't this increase diter companies from going for the sumo?

Godspeed.

Alok.

GTO · 17th April 2006, 13:06

The Tavera / Innova / Scorpio breed may be superior to the Sumo, but they are in an entirely different price bracket. Tata is playing the price card with the Sumo.

GTO

Beeman · 17th April 2006, 13:09

I think the sumo will ultimately be killed by the new rihno which is based on the old toyota qualis...........

Rayden · 17th April 2006, 13:12

I agree with Ghostrider and GTO, the new vehicles bought by the BPOs are almost exclusively Sumos and Indicabs as the price the Tavera is a clear one lac above the Sumo.

sbasak · 17th April 2006, 13:13

The market should decide fate of Sumo.

Different people have different requirements and Sumo serves some requirements in a nice manner (passenger ferry or whatever you say)

See, Ambassador is running fine for 50 years even though car freaks consider it a junk box!

agspins · 17th April 2006, 13:53

Guys
TATA's planning to Planning to give a facelift to Sumo somewhere this year.They are planning and working on a new next gen UV codenamed X2 seems that this vehicle will finally replace Sumo say in next 2-3 years.

ghostrider4385 · 17th April 2006, 14:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbasak

See, Ambassador is running fine for 50 years even though car freaks consider it a junk box!

Hold your tongue boy! Beware of the comments you make. A certain popular moderator here has a so called junk box, in a 'spit & shined' mint condition, which is loved by almost everyone who have come in contact with it, from what I have heard!
And car freaks love the dear old amby, it has served our nation well all these years!
I myself have a soft corner for it, having learned how to drive on one!

Godspeed.

Alok.

nevertouchme · 17th April 2006, 15:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghostrider4385

Do you know the number of sumo's still used by BPO's and the likes to ferry employees from home to the office and back? It's pretty big. And why would these companies go for these sumo's? For the reason that they spacious and cheap! So now, wouldn't sourcing mechanicals from suv's like the safari dicor and other elements from all the above mentioned vehicles increase its price? And wouldn't this increase diter companies from going for the sumo?

Godspeed.

Alok.

I completely RODGER that Captain !

.
Recently, My company replaced the Travel 's contracter, where we had like a mixture of 150 Indica's and Qualis's replaced by New SUMO VICTA's & Tavera's. As qualis was discontinued, & companies demanding for new vehicles for a 3 yr contract, still the requirement for TATA SUMO is adequate. ( TATA YAMO, it how ma driver call's it...

).........

Cheers,
Jai

nitrous · 17th April 2006, 15:28

Sumos will not die for another decade.

man23ish · 17th April 2006, 16:08

I think its time TATA's upgrade the SUMO, Although it is a fine vehicle it definitely has scope for refinement.. A Sun/Moon Roof on the Sumo would not be out of place.. And TATA might consider elongating the wheel-base a bit in order to improve handling by reducing the centre of gravity.. Also, modify the suspension a-la scorpio and finally do something about the fact that tyres get eaten up a lot on the Sumo..

All said and done, the Sumo still has a long way to go before being taken off the roads.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbasak

See, Ambassador is running fine for 50 years even though car freaks consider it a junk box!

The Ambassador will always have a soft corner in my heart since i learnt my first driving lessons on it.. Being uncompassionate with the amby is being uncompassionate with the history of Indian motoring.. Every individual old enough to post on this forum has travelled in an Amby atleast once.. You cannot say the same about most other vehicles..

cooldude1988765 · 17th April 2006, 16:43

I am sure tata wont replace the sumo for atleast 3 more years.. Hope they at least change the external looks

Quote:

Originally Posted by man23ish

A Sun/Moon Roof on the Sumo would not be out of place..

Gordon · 17th April 2006, 17:06

With the Qualis out-of-production, the Sumo does have hope.

Quote:

Do you know the number of sumo's still used by BPO's and the likes to ferry employees from home to the office and back? It's pretty big. And why would these companies go for these sumo's? For the reason that they spacious and cheap!

True, but there are other alternatives that these companies tend to choose. No idea about Hyderabad, but most BPO's here in Mumbai also use TATA Indica or Indigo to a large extent.

Fiero · 17th April 2006, 18:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beeman

I think the sumo will ultimately be killed by the new rihno which is based on the old toyota qualis...........

i doubt the build quality of the rhino will match up even to a tata sumo ...

india is not a country with a dozen alternatives in each segment ... the sumo stands alone as a cheap people mover , and it stills sells quite a bit ... why discontinue it unless its sales drop or tata plans a 'replacement' for it??? ... which is not on the cards right now.

BuRnT RuBbEr · 17th April 2006, 20:57

sumo or no sumo, dont hurt the old man' sentiments about the amby....

sumo is good enough for ferrying people, vegetables and other goods in the V A S T rural india. there is absolutely no point killing it.

We now say that stopping the qualis was not a very good business decision. there is no way ratan tata will do that mistake. I am sure they will throw in facelifts on time. IMO another five years atleast.

17th April 2006, 10:37	#1
salilpawar1 BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mumbai (MH-01) Posts: 852 Thanked: 247 Times View My Garage	Should the Tata Sumo be put to rest? Tata Sumo, a major contributor in Tata's success story, is in a way fighting a losing battle in the MUV segment from UVs such as the Scorpio, Innova, Tavera. Although its rural brother, the Spacio, is selling in decent numbers, the Sumo Victa has failed to attract the urban customer. Although I still like the Sumo for its rugged character, it does not have the refinement of the Innova, the character of the Scorpio or the practicality of the Tavera. Shouldn't Tata launch a much needed improved version of the Sumo and/or the Sumo should be put to rest for an all new vehicle based on the Indiva/Xover concept or reposition Sumo as an SUV with mechanicals sourced from the Safari DICOR?
	() Thanks

17th April 2006, 10:50	#2
ghostrider4385 BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 389 Thanked: 12 Times	Do you know the number of sumo's still used by BPO's and the likes to ferry employees from home to the office and back? It's pretty big. And why would these companies go for these sumo's? For the reason that they spacious and cheap! So now, wouldn't sourcing mechanicals from suv's like the safari dicor and other elements from all the above mentioned vehicles increase its price? And wouldn't this increase diter companies from going for the sumo? Godspeed. Alok.
	() Thanks

17th April 2006, 13:06	#3
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,583 Thanked: 301,427 Times View My Garage	The Tavera / Innova / Scorpio breed may be superior to the Sumo, but they are in an entirely different price bracket. Tata is playing the price card with the Sumo. GTO
	() Thanks

17th April 2006, 13:09	#4
Beeman BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Treasure island Posts: 335 Thanked: 2 Times	I think the sumo will ultimately be killed by the new rihno which is based on the old toyota qualis...........
	() Thanks

17th April 2006, 13:12	#5
Rayden BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Chennai Posts: 101 Thanked: Once	I agree with Ghostrider and GTO, the new vehicles bought by the BPOs are almost exclusively Sumos and Indicabs as the price the Tavera is a clear one lac above the Sumo.
	() Thanks

17th April 2006, 13:13	#6
sbasak BHPian Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: CCU-LTN Posts: 608 Thanked: 14 Times	The market should decide fate of Sumo. Different people have different requirements and Sumo serves some requirements in a nice manner (passenger ferry or whatever you say) See, Ambassador is running fine for 50 years even though car freaks consider it a junk box!
	() Thanks

17th April 2006, 13:53	#7
agspins Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: MH-31 Posts: 1,653 Thanked: 509 Times View My Garage	Guys TATA's planning to Planning to give a facelift to Sumo somewhere this year.They are planning and working on a new next gen UV codenamed X2 seems that this vehicle will finally replace Sumo say in next 2-3 years.
	() Thanks

17th April 2006, 15:28	#10
nitrous Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: UAE/Lon/Madras Posts: 6,965 Thanked: 325 Times View My Garage	Sumos will not die for another decade.
	() Thanks

17th April 2006, 20:57	#15
BuRnT RuBbEr BHPian Join Date: May 2005 Location: DL 1 Posts: 367 Thanked: 13 Times	sumo or no sumo, dont hurt the old man' sentiments about the amby.... sumo is good enough for ferrying people, vegetables and other goods in the V A S T rural india. there is absolutely no point killing it. We now say that stopping the qualis was not a very good business decision. there is no way ratan tata will do that mistake. I am sure they will throw in facelifts on time. IMO another five years atleast.
	() Thanks