Suzuki WagonR to replace Padmini Taxi - HT

Rtech · 17th August 2007, 15:19

BTW guys, a similar thread can be found here: Mumbai Taxis (Mumbai Taxi's - Part of our landscape!)

CrAzY dRiVeR · 17th August 2007, 16:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by benbsb29

Very soon the Wagon R will grow to be among the most hated vehicles on the roads, the same way as most people now view the Indicabs and Sumos.

Thank god i dont live in Mumbai!

phamilyman · 17th August 2007, 16:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by dadu

NO, It is not even mentioned for LPG or DUO version also, only Wagon R is mentioned, so everybody here is posting based on assumptions. "if this, if that"

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCEite

Is it mentioned somewhere that it will be a CNG wagonR?

The DUO version (which is mostly used by call centers here) has a toroidal LPG tank, which liberates decent space in the boot.

Brothers,

Two simple reasons:
a. CNG is wayyy cheaper. Our m800 ran at 70-80p/km, Xeta runs at 1.1Rs/km. LPG doesn't come close. You'd think that the extra 70-100 bucks daily fuel cost would be passed through, when Meru cabs are running at 13rs/km? Or the regular taxi walah would want to shave off his earnings by that amount?

b. The bulk of MGL (Mahanagar Gas Ltd) business is based on CNG sales. Its half owned by GAIL and already HPCL/BPCL outlets have invested lots into CNG outlets which would CLOSE, if the taxis switch to LPG. LPG needs regular tank, not compressor/cascades like CNG stations have. So, let's forget switching to LPG, shall we? Plus its more polluting, and CNG was what the SC ordered after years of deliberation

mithun · 17th August 2007, 17:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by msdivy

One problem with Omni: It has little or no thigh support. Except this its perfect for taxi.

But the seats can be modified !

khanak · 17th August 2007, 17:13

Iv been seeing a lot of Santro taxis lately, with gold cabs, meru cabs and not this finally the Padmini is being retired

msdivy · 17th August 2007, 17:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by mithun

But the seats can be modified !

I haven't seen good seats on Omni. If they are raised, people might hit their heads againt the ceiling

BUSA · 17th August 2007, 17:23

Hmmm, good move, all WagonR owners, sell your cars

I think they should have been in talks with fiat for a 1.1Stile, it would have been a real cheap option and Fiats build quality is ages ahead of Maruti and yeah lest i forget the Taxi drivers wont drive fast or rash, the Stile is severly underpowered

1100D · 17th August 2007, 21:39

This move comes in the wake of the increase and difficulty in maintaining the padmini's since the suppliers too are moving onto other pastures. I am sure, moving onto the Wagon R's is a hard decision for the union as well, but then I guess they see the sign of things to come. Padmini's are very much part of the Bombay landscape as London Taxi's are to London (Kolkata still has its icon living into the new times and I really wish it never dies even if I dont like it because of its hard bumpers).

However I was surprised about the Wagon R decision, cos logic says that it will go to the Tata's. But I think the Tata's will cater to the bigger taxi arrangement like MERU cabs (Sort of the Maxi-taxi mini-taxi arrangement of the past)

shajufx · 17th August 2007, 21:45

Its a bad news for anyone who bought a wagon R in 2007. All my reviews, comparisons, visiting various brand dealers, talking to different owners, test driving various cars and personalising an opinion etc. all will look like a total waste of time and money. Why in the whole world only wagon R is considered to be a taxi ? I hated buying an Indica because its mostly taxis and call centre cabs here. I hated an Omni because its mostly used for either cargo or a public transporting purpose. I hated a sumo and Qualis because both of them have become official vehicles meant for the call centre drivers. Now what ??

May be I should try Aveo UVA !! Sadly it was on road just 2 weeks after I took my wagon R delivery. Or there is something new coming up this year itself. Fingers crossed. One fact is very clear: If mumbai taxi association decides on wagon R to be their replacement for padminis, other metros in India would follow the suit, which will make every wagon R owners worried !

fx45 · 17th August 2007, 23:03

i dont think tht wagon r could replace padmini as the ultimate taxi in mumbai.

in my opinion.. the best choices are..
cng versions of

1. tata indigo... big in space.. easily available spares.
2. tata indica... same as above.. but no boot.
3. fiat palio 1.1.. as its not selling..and tata takes care of service.
4. maruti omni..
5. maruti esteem.. good choice.

1100D · 18th August 2007, 00:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by shajufx

Its a bad news for anyone who bought a wagon R in 2007. All my reviews, comparisons, visiting various brand dealers, talking to different owners, test driving various cars and personalising an opinion etc. all will look like a total waste of time and money. Why in the whole world only wagon R is considered to be a taxi ? I hated buying an Indica because its mostly taxis and call centre cabs here. I hated an Omni because its mostly used for either cargo or a public transporting purpose. I hated a sumo and Qualis because both of them have become official vehicles meant for the call centre drivers. Now what ??

May be I should try Aveo UVA !! Sadly it was on road just 2 weeks after I took my wagon R delivery. Or there is something new coming up this year itself. Fingers crossed. One fact is very clear: If mumbai taxi association decides on wagon R to be their replacement for padminis, other metros in India would follow the suit, which will make every wagon R owners worried !

Dont worry, the frequent use of a car as a Taxi is actually a tribute to that car recognizing its suitable to tackle our roads and usage. In Europe even Mercs are used as Taxi's.

moralfibre · 18th August 2007, 00:07

Guys with this thread you are certainly pissing off one Mr. Karlos Singh Taxiwallah from Pune

swale84 · 18th August 2007, 00:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by moralfibre

Guys with this thread you are certainly pissing off one Mr. Karlos Singh Taxiwallah from Pune

ha ha ha , Moral, I had just logged on to post the same thing! But you beat me to it.

At Dinner today, while Karl is talking about buying parts for his latest 'project'

Me: Looks like they're planning on replacing all padmini cabs in Mumbai with Wagon R's

Karlos Singh Fiatwallah: (Puts down his beer and looks up): kaun bola? What Rubbish, it cant happen.........I WONT let it (Ok, i may be embellishing a little here, but you get my drift)

Of course a discussion on the Mumbai taxi unions ensued, but thats for another thread.

karlosdeville · 18th August 2007, 00:18

Sigh...if only the Taxi drivers would reailse they are digging their own grave. By keeping the cars in such terrible condition (for the most part), people are put off to even sit in them. I've proposed in the past to have competitions for best maintained taxis amongst the Union, we'll see a higher quality of taxi. If London has their age old design in such great demand till very recently, surely we can make ours a novelty factor too.

Mpower · 18th August 2007, 01:51

Why do they all have to be the same identical car. Is black and yellow one big company. Frankly I'm not sure how the system works.

17th August 2007, 15:19	#31
Rtech Team-BHP Support Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 5,770 Thanked: 359 Times View My Garage	BTW guys, a similar thread can be found here: Mumbai Taxis (Mumbai Taxi's - Part of our landscape!)
	() Thanks

17th August 2007, 17:13	#35
khanak Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mumbai/Toronto Posts: 2,799 Thanked: 268 Times View My Garage	Iv been seeing a lot of Santro taxis lately, with gold cabs, meru cabs and not this finally the Padmini is being retired
	() Thanks

17th August 2007, 17:23	#37
BUSA Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bombay Posts: 5,130 Thanked: 20 Times View My Garage	Hmmm, good move, all WagonR owners, sell your cars I think they should have been in talks with fiat for a 1.1Stile, it would have been a real cheap option and Fiats build quality is ages ahead of Maruti and yeah lest i forget the Taxi drivers wont drive fast or rash, the Stile is severly underpowered
	() Thanks

17th August 2007, 21:39	#38
1100D Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Calcutta Posts: 4,390 Thanked: 4,096 Times View My Garage	This move comes in the wake of the increase and difficulty in maintaining the padmini's since the suppliers too are moving onto other pastures. I am sure, moving onto the Wagon R's is a hard decision for the union as well, but then I guess they see the sign of things to come. Padmini's are very much part of the Bombay landscape as London Taxi's are to London (Kolkata still has its icon living into the new times and I really wish it never dies even if I dont like it because of its hard bumpers). However I was surprised about the Wagon R decision, cos logic says that it will go to the Tata's. But I think the Tata's will cater to the bigger taxi arrangement like MERU cabs (Sort of the Maxi-taxi mini-taxi arrangement of the past) Last edited by 1100D : 17th August 2007 at 21:41.
	() Thanks

17th August 2007, 21:45	#39
shajufx Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: BLR & Singapore Posts: 1,806 Thanked: 831 Times View My Garage	Its a bad news for anyone who bought a wagon R in 2007. All my reviews, comparisons, visiting various brand dealers, talking to different owners, test driving various cars and personalising an opinion etc. all will look like a total waste of time and money. Why in the whole world only wagon R is considered to be a taxi ? I hated buying an Indica because its mostly taxis and call centre cabs here. I hated an Omni because its mostly used for either cargo or a public transporting purpose. I hated a sumo and Qualis because both of them have become official vehicles meant for the call centre drivers. Now what ?? May be I should try Aveo UVA !! Sadly it was on road just 2 weeks after I took my wagon R delivery. Or there is something new coming up this year itself. Fingers crossed. One fact is very clear: If mumbai taxi association decides on wagon R to be their replacement for padminis, other metros in India would follow the suit, which will make every wagon R owners worried !
	() Thanks

17th August 2007, 23:03	#40
fx45 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: mumbai Posts: 1,823 Thanked: 384 Times	this is a stupid choice i dont think tht wagon r could replace padmini as the ultimate taxi in mumbai. in my opinion.. the best choices are.. cng versions of 1. tata indigo... big in space.. easily available spares. 2. tata indica... same as above.. but no boot. 3. fiat palio 1.1.. as its not selling..and tata takes care of service. 4. maruti omni.. 5. maruti esteem.. good choice.
	() Thanks

18th August 2007, 00:07	#42
moralfibre Team-BHP Support Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: MH-12 Posts: 8,451 Thanked: 13,973 Times	Guys with this thread you are certainly pissing off one Mr. Karlos Singh Taxiwallah from Pune
	() Thanks

18th August 2007, 00:18	#44
karlosdeville Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Pune Posts: 11,976 Thanked: 18,277 Times View My Garage	Sigh...if only the Taxi drivers would reailse they are digging their own grave. By keeping the cars in such terrible condition (for the most part), people are put off to even sit in them. I've proposed in the past to have competitions for best maintained taxis amongst the Union, we'll see a higher quality of taxi. If London has their age old design in such great demand till very recently, surely we can make ours a novelty factor too.
	() Thanks

18th August 2007, 01:51	#45
Mpower Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 10,409 Thanked: 1,730 Times View My Garage	Why do they all have to be the same identical car. Is black and yellow one big company. Frankly I'm not sure how the system works.
	() Thanks