Team-BHP (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/)

-   The Indian Car Scene (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian-car-scene/)

-   -   BVR Subbu's new book! Santro: The car that built a company (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian-car-scene/192302-bvr-subbus-new-book-santro-car-built-company-3.html)

Same feeling here, received the same message from Amazon this evening.
Why was this not sorted out beforehand. Eagerly waiting for the book though.

For someone who's an avid reader, things just don't get better than this clap:clap:.

Sadly, I have a dinner planned tonight so won't be able to dive into it. Tomorrow night booked...with a pizza:

Gonna order one for myself now! Just keep us updated as to how the book is and probably a GTO style review on this as well!

Finally got my copy yesterday after several delays. Really excited about this one!

Copied from my Introduction at Team- BHP. http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/introd...-yes-i-am.html

"My “own” first Car was Santro Zip drive. It was booked just after I got an offer letter from Vodafone Gujarat (Hutch during 2003) (my first job). I was 22 and booked Santro without informing my parents! They came to know when bank people went to my home for verification of Car Loan. Dad called me and congratulated me on my “own car”."

Santro Zip Drive 2013 was my "own" first car, which I used for more than 13 years & 98K Kms. It used to be my daily drive & and an amazing companion for my frequent trips to North (HP). I have fond memories of my Santro.

Just ordered my copy.

BVR Subbu writes so much about Maruti and its route to market domination in this book that I picked up The Maruti Story from Flipkart. Reading that now :)

Over halfway through with Subbu's book and I must say that it's a 'good' book, but NOT 'excellent'.

The Maruti Story by RC Bhargava remains the best book on Indian cars. Period.

Faults I find with Subbu's book:

1. He is too biased toward Hyundai, and h-a-t-e-s Maruti way too much. Both are too excessive. As an example, he spends way too much time explaining how his Maruti buying experience in the mid-90s went all wrong. I'd think an ex-industry manager would know better than to paint all dealers with the same brush because of one experience. Also, I bought a Zen & Esteem in the 90s and both experiences were splendid.

2. No attention to detail. While there is some good history & trivia in the book, he breezes through the actual launch of the Santro too quickly, without much detail. In comparison, Bhargava explained the 800's introduction with a lot more detail & fun. Even the dealership recruitment process isn't really explained properly.

It's still a must-read book for any petrolhead and there's a lot to learn from it. But it's nothing like 'The Maruti Story' which was just way more insightful (even though Bhargava himself was biased toward Maruti).

Fantastic recap GTO. I agree. Any other auto books you'd recommend?
Years back I'd read a fantastic book on Subaru - Where The Suckers Moon, please see if you can get your hands on it. Mine seems to be untraceable now!

I've made lots of recommendations in the main car books thread.

Thanks! Available on Amazon and ordered :thumbs up.

This is indeed a great book, read it twice. Consists of great detail on how almost peugeot was finalised had the Indian contingent not attended the Tokyo motor Show and found Suzuki more suitable for the small and efficient car. Other than that a lot more insights on how bureaucracy pulled together to make this a reality within stipulated time.

Subbu's book didn't provide details, instead book reflects more about his own biography/journey rather than Santro's. (halfway through still needs to complete)

No second thoughts about it.

Seriously, I too found a lot of hate mongering against Maruti. Should have been addressed a lot like the competition.

Same feeling. Good opportunity lost by skipping those details.

Almost done with the book. First half was actually better than the second half. In the middle of the book, it really becomes a drab.

Will give it 3 / 5 stars overall (The Maruti way is a 5 / 5 star read).

Amazon Prime at it's best. Received my copy within two days. Started reading it right away.

Halfway through. What did the book about Santro tell me?

1. Interesting stuff about Hyundai, Santro and even TATA Motors/TELCO.
2. BVR Subbu hates Maruti absolutely.

The book even has sympathy for HM and PAL; but the utmost angst is for Maruti.

RC B's book on Maruti was better balanced and made a well read.

Both RC B and BVR Subbu talk in high regard about TELCO/Sumath Moolgaoakar. Are there any books on TELCO or the making of the TATA Sumo?

Finished the book. I was left with a sense of disappointment.

BVR Subbu has pretty much behaved like a Hyundai/TATA fanboy.

He’s extremely critical of Toyota for how they ripped off Indians with the Qualis. Come Mr.BVR Subbu; how many first generation Santros are on road today? I can count two Qualis cars in my friends and family circle. They don’t want to sell their Qualis in 2018 and their garages have much modern and expensive vehicles. Qualis sold for a reason. Dismissing Qualis as a vehicle that just found favour in the commercial segment was just lame.

I wish the author stuck to telling the story of Santro without trashing others.

Agreed. His book had a lot of potential and the man's knowledge is indisputable. If only he had:

1. Spent more time on attention-to-detail and listed all the interesting stories around the Santro's launch. Some parts ended too abruptly; in contrast, Bhargava explained the 800's launch & planning in detail.

2. His fanboy attitude toward his own employers & running down other respectable manufacturers leave a bitter taste in the mouth.

A book that had great potential, but ended up as above average.