Team-BHP - Tata developing a premium hatchback, the Altroz. Edit: Launched at 5.29 lakh.

Shouldn't you call 'spade a spade' in the Hexa thread? Can we afford to harm a new launch? We are not advertisers, but we are not destroyers either. What will an 'informed buyer' do? He will stay away from Altroz, right? So if V1 wont sell, there wont be a V2. So yes, let the discussion on Altroz continue. Look forward to the official review. I was one of those buyers who bought the Indica V1 at launch, and had to hastily sell it. Held a grudge for over a decade, warning potential buyers. But the Nexon provided a strong VFM, I just could not ignore. The product has redeemed itself

Quote:

Originally Posted by TROOPER (Post 4737519)

Also, this forum isn't to advertise carmakers products. We are the ones who call a spade a spade. If Tata cannot build a decade old product satisfactorily, then it's their problem. And members and visitors alike need to be informed about how pathetic their QC still is after all the raving about 'gold standard'. An informed buyer will be more comfortable to deal with issues later on.

Your case and my case are different. You picked up a 3 year old established product, but its unfortunate that you landed a lemon. I risked it at launch. That's what I'm trying to say here. This will be my last post in this regard. Let's peace out

Quote:

Originally Posted by TROOPER (Post 4737527)

Well then you could have done the same and posted your review on the Nexon thread. If you expect people to buy the Altroz based on your single niggle free experience, I believe I have the right to inform them to be cautious and wait till the niggles/issues, if any, are ironed out and then buy the Altroz.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sebring (Post 4737525)

I was one of those buyers who bought the Indica V1 at launch, and had to hastily sell it. Held a grudge for over a decade, warning potential buyers. But the Nexon provided a strong VFM, I just could not ignore. The product has redeemed itself

We bought the Indica V2 back in '03 or '04 and had issues with engine oil leaking, wheels getting distorted over rough bumps etc. Eventually sold it off and decided not to buy a TATA vehicle till it proves itself over a period of time.

Although I am still waiting for a really convincing product from their stable, products like the Zest, Tiago etc have proven to be decent and reliable. Though my complaint still is dealer manpower. I've had terrible experiences in that department, last one being with the test drive of a Tigor (which didn't even happen!). Wonder if people faced similar issues with the Harrier.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TROOPER (Post 4737527)

Well then you could have done the same and posted your review on the Nexon thread.

Oh man. This is an excellent comeback.

On a sidenote, I have seen this trend on Team bhp and especially YouTube where in members are attacked for posting negative experiences about Tata products. You will have a bunch of guys claiming to be owners (on YouTube) and actual owners (on Team bhp) telling the OP with the problem about how the car has been niggle free for them.

Looking at those comments that extoll the virtues of their amazing steeds instead of actually trying to help the owner makes me frustrated (can't imagine how the owners would feel).

I remember a post from a Tiago XZA owner who had AMT issues and posted about it on YouTube only for people to suggest that he should learn to drive (he was a team bhp member and someone on team bhp implied that AMT was for people with experience driving manual cars or something along those lines). Eventually TATA itself acknowledged that there was an issue and fixed it. That helped shut up the trolls.

Now I am sure that TATA is spending significant amounts of money on PR to attack and suppress negative reviews (there are members who accuse MG about the same on another active thread on team bhp so let's not pretend that TATA are saints here). Also, you would have our nationalists who want to completely ignore any and all issues with TATA/Mahindra because after all it's an INDIAN product. Not sure how a manufacturer is supposed to improve its product without genuine negative feedback.

Obviously some of those reviews would be malicious but unnecessarily attacking the genuine complaints will not bring TATA any good will.

TATA image of poor reliability and horrible QC is something that they have earned over the years. This will take years to get rid off but they only have themselves to blame for it.

I am not trying to start a debate here but just wanted to let the TATA backers know that this attitude is not going to suddenly convince potential buyers as some seem to believe. Also, it's only going to piss off the existing owner with the issue.

Note: Now I know some of our esteemed members will respond and ask why I don't go into Maruti and Hyundai threads and berate them for poor build quality (an amazing example of whatsaboutism). My response is that I don't even have any Maruti or Hyundai product in consideration for the same reason. I am interested only in structurally strong products. There, I saved you boys some time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ds.raikkonen (Post 4737533)

Although I am still waiting for a really convincing product from their stable, products like the Zest, Tiago etc have proven to be decent and reliable. Though my complaint still is dealer manpower. I've had terrible experiences in that department, last one being with the test drive of a Tigor (which didn't even happen!). Wonder if people faced similar issues with the Harrier.

Tata's manpower is not and perhaps will never be convincing. However their machines are indeed too convincing now. I too have similar experience with dealership. But all clouds went away as soon as I TDed the Tiago and Nexon. I respect their engineering and not human behavior :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by anumod (Post 4737635)

I love the red Color with black combination. A powerful engine would have made this as a super hatch and a good competition to Polo TSI

Nothing from the segment compares to Polo, even with a better engine Altroz can't be compared to Polo, for me Polo is the best hatch in India around 10 lakh rupees. VW's designs are ageless, Altroz's design is good but not as ageless as Polo. Tata at the moment could not afford to have conservative and classy designs like VW, it needs to stand out and that's what they are doing. Anyhow eagerly waiting for a JTP version of Altroz.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wheelguy (Post 4737645)

The same timeless design is being called "Bland" by quite a lot of folks. 10 years since the launch, my eyes are tired looking at the same design. All new cars from VW stable(including Audi) looks old/boring to me now. Millennial's in particular like something trendy and are done with straight lines!

Today I got a chance to see and feel Altroz briefly. Having owned only Maruti and Honda, it was great feeling to experience a heavy door and the reassuring ‘thud’ while closing. I noticed the absence of rubber strips at both edges of the roof. Has TATA also mastered the art of ‘neat welding’ like VW, may be utilising laser welding. The rear door handle operation requires a learning curve, as it is not conventionally placed. The rear handle is not as flimsy as I expected (yes, my cousin has the new Swift), in fact felt it was made to last long.

The one gripe that I felt was, the rear suspension mounts inside the boot was not properly concealed even on the top variant. A flexible rubber material is used to hide the suspension mounts and it does not look good.

All in all, a very good effort by TATA, and hope the car taste success in our market.

Note : sorry no pictures, as photography is not allowed inside TCS campuses.

I checked put the Altroz at my local TATA dealer where i purchased my Nano car and was i impressed with the car?. The Altroz is simply stunning at first sight especially the front view and then as i kept staring at the rear i wondered if there was just too much of black plastic cover and the instrument dial looked straight out of a 1987 Olds Cutlass. Other than these two downers i like the fit and finish, the sound of the doors shutting which is reassuring and the front and side view is rad. The interior and console too is just right.

The Altroz is a super hatch and i hope the indian car buyers will buy it in enough numbers to keep the cash registers ringing. I'm ready to buy one myself and the only reason i would is if there is an automatic transmission option available. Sadly there isn't. Why, TATA Motors?.:Frustrati