Rhino = Qualis?

condor · 21st July 2008, 07:21

Quote:

greenhorn : he seemed to be pretty sure they weren't...even I've been told is that they arent the same dies

The dies cost a bomb to create. If Sonalika had to get them afresh, they would have had to spend a lot on it. If the dies were from somewhere else (apart from China), then the company that used those dies would have faced the heat from Toyota.

What Cyrus says makes sense, too.

GTO · 21st July 2008, 12:26

Anyone notice how none of the car magazines have tested the Rhino, save for OD? They are pretty heavy advertisers, you know? Who'd want to tick them off.

Surprising since the Rhino has been around for a pretty long time now.

Blue Thunder · 21st July 2008, 12:37

Been seeing a couple of new Rhino's in Chennai last week : paint finish seems good (but this opinion is based just on passing glances)

Look almost exactly like the Qualis : wouldn't be surprised if Toyota had sold the Qualis dies to Sonalika.

.

esteem_lover · 21st July 2008, 14:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue Thunder

Been seeing a couple of new Rhino's in Chennai last week : paint finish seems good (but this opinion is based just on passing glances)

Look almost exactly like the Qualis : wouldn't be surprised if Toyota had sold the Qualis dies to Sonalika.

.

I saw one the other day too. Looked exactly like the qualis. If only the taxi wallahs know about this, they will be pouncing on this like anything. The Qualis is still king with the taxi operators here.

Proxima · 21st July 2008, 14:57

Saw a few in Thirunelveli, paint job looks very good from afar.

lohithrao · 12th August 2008, 11:20

This is meant for taxi wallas, looks so much like qualis

GreenmachinE · 12th August 2008, 11:41

Saw TN -74 registered one here yesterday. The paint job looks upmarket and had a nice turbo whine too. But it was rocking like a boat when ever there was a gear shift. Soft setup to please taxi operators I guess.

amtak · 12th August 2008, 11:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

Anyone notice how none of the car magazines have tested the Rhino, save for OD? They are pretty heavy advertisers, you know? Who'd want to tick them off.

Surprising since the Rhino has been around for a pretty long time now.

I think ACI had tested it as well.

Bunny, didn't Car also test it?

hrag · 12th August 2008, 12:01

All of a sudden, Rhinos are visible everywhere. Looks like a blinged up (?) Qualis from far and as it gets closer, something about the "Qualis" seems different. One then realizes this is a Rhino.

The taxi operators seem to be picking them up slowly but surely.

evo · 12th August 2008, 12:12

I admit that the car has been freely "inspired" by the qualis and that the quality and suspension are ahem ahem and all that jazz, but I like that fact that a tractor manufacturer went all the way to make a car.

It isnt easy, and to be fair, the Rhino seems like a much better put together product that the TATA ESTATE which was the Tatas first passenger vehicle (if you discount the TATAMOBILE SEDAN conversions which were even worse). All this,even if you adjust for how much technology has evolved and so on.

Even now, the SPACIO that tata sells is a pathetically crude vehicle, even now, that late into its so called product lifecycle.

Am not saying that ICML will reach tata levels any time soon, in terms of buying out marques like LR and JAG, however ICML is not part of a massive conglomerate or anything!

Cheers

Steeroid · 12th August 2008, 12:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by hrag

The taxi operators seem to be picking them up slowly but surely.

Yes they are, indeed. Saw more Rhinos in rural Kerala than the Sumo Grande, which is saying a lot.

The vehicle is riding big time on the Qualis's reputation - taxi operators would do anything to get hold of a good Qualis (the premium on 2nd hand Qualis is unbelievable!) and here they have a chance to buy one from a showroom!!!

Zak is due for an upgrade from his Qualis - perhaps he will buy a Rhino?

esteem_lover · 12th August 2008, 14:20

Had the chance to take a look at one from close quarters. It looks ugly, uglier than the qualis. And it is a lot different too. The fron looks like a toy. Only the side & rear resemble the qualis a wee bit, but the overall package is very much like the qualis.

nbr · 12th August 2008, 14:47

if a vehicle is to be used by the taxi oprators, the maintenence ,spare parts , service back ups should be equally good.I doubt he Rhino will excel in all these parametrs.Its just a newly launched MUV and will take time for the manufacturer to sort out initial hiccups/faults of the product.The taxi operators always go for a tried and tested vehicle.
I doubt, the Rhino will outperform the Taveras/Boleros in sales charts.

sajands · 12th August 2008, 14:55

Today's TOI shows a 36,000 price way off on the rhino.

benbsb29 · 12th August 2008, 15:11

I've observed the Rhino is beginning to pick up in sales in Bangalore. How well it will fare is a matter of time.

21st July 2008, 12:26	#62
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,534 Thanked: 300,737 Times View My Garage	Anyone notice how none of the car magazines have tested the Rhino, save for OD? They are pretty heavy advertisers, you know? Who'd want to tick them off. Surprising since the Rhino has been around for a pretty long time now.
	() Thanks

21st July 2008, 12:37	#63
Blue Thunder Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Right here . Posts: 1,657 Thanked: 386 Times View My Garage	Been seeing a couple of new Rhino's in Chennai last week : paint finish seems good (but this opinion is based just on passing glances) Look almost exactly like the Qualis : wouldn't be surprised if Toyota had sold the Qualis dies to Sonalika. . Last edited by Blue Thunder : 21st July 2008 at 12:39. Reason: Typo
	() Thanks

21st July 2008, 14:57	#65
Proxima BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Chennai Posts: 910 Thanked: 302 Times	Saw a few in Thirunelveli, paint job looks very good from afar.
	() Thanks

12th August 2008, 11:20	#66
lohithrao Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Kudla/Mangaluru Posts: 3,204 Thanked: 225 Times View My Garage	This is meant for taxi wallas, looks so much like qualis
	() Thanks

12th August 2008, 11:41	#67
GreenmachinE BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Salem Posts: 89 Thanked: 35 Times	Saw TN -74 registered one here yesterday. The paint job looks upmarket and had a nice turbo whine too. But it was rocking like a boat when ever there was a gear shift. Soft setup to please taxi operators I guess.
	() Thanks

12th August 2008, 12:01	#69
hrag BANNED Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Bangalore / Madras Posts: 1,982 Thanked: 31 Times	All of a sudden, Rhinos are visible everywhere. Looks like a blinged up (?) Qualis from far and as it gets closer, something about the "Qualis" seems different. One then realizes this is a Rhino. The taxi operators seem to be picking them up slowly but surely.
	() Thanks

12th August 2008, 12:12	#70
evo BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: Kolkata/Shillong Posts: 780 Thanked: 158 Times View My Garage	I admit that the car has been freely "inspired" by the qualis and that the quality and suspension are ahem ahem and all that jazz, but I like that fact that a tractor manufacturer went all the way to make a car. It isnt easy, and to be fair, the Rhino seems like a much better put together product that the TATA ESTATE which was the Tatas first passenger vehicle (if you discount the TATAMOBILE SEDAN conversions which were even worse). All this,even if you adjust for how much technology has evolved and so on. Even now, the SPACIO that tata sells is a pathetically crude vehicle, even now, that late into its so called product lifecycle. Am not saying that ICML will reach tata levels any time soon, in terms of buying out marques like LR and JAG, however ICML is not part of a massive conglomerate or anything! Cheers
	() Thanks

12th August 2008, 14:20	#72
esteem_lover Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Madras/Py Posts: 7,556 Thanked: 502 Times View My Garage	Had the chance to take a look at one from close quarters. It looks ugly, uglier than the qualis. And it is a lot different too. The fron looks like a toy. Only the side & rear resemble the qualis a wee bit, but the overall package is very much like the qualis.
	() Thanks

12th August 2008, 14:47	#73
nbr BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: MANGALORE/BALEHONNUR/DUBAI Posts: 438 Thanked: 47 Times View My Garage	if a vehicle is to be used by the taxi oprators, the maintenence ,spare parts , service back ups should be equally good.I doubt he Rhino will excel in all these parametrs.Its just a newly launched MUV and will take time for the manufacturer to sort out initial hiccups/faults of the product.The taxi operators always go for a tried and tested vehicle. I doubt, the Rhino will outperform the Taveras/Boleros in sales charts. Last edited by nbr : 12th August 2008 at 14:48.
	() Thanks

12th August 2008, 14:55	#74
sajands BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 941 Thanked: 347 Times View My Garage	Today's TOI shows a 36,000 price way off on the rhino.
	() Thanks

12th August 2008, 15:11	#75
benbsb29 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Brisbane Posts: 9,968 Thanked: 13,223 Times View My Garage	I've observed the Rhino is beginning to pick up in sales in Bangalore. How well it will fare is a matter of time.
	() Thanks