What india needs is a SMART UTILITY VEHICLE (sUV)

Sudipto-S-Team · 29th August 2008, 17:32

Slightly off-topic but looking at these wonderful pictures of Fiats I felt sad once again that Fiat in India was such an unmitigated disaster due to their poor and short sighted strategy (in the initial years at least) of sending managers from Italy on punishment posting only. On the contrary most other foreign car companies that relied on Indian managers to roll out their limited range of products did well. Hyundai with Subbu is the most shining example of it.

METISWHG · 29th August 2008, 18:27

something on the lines of Ford Escape, smaller than Ford Everest
or even a Opel Zafira with better tyres can fit in to my mind
In India I would love to buy that kind of a vehicle and .... if they can use E80 Fuel

fx45 · 29th August 2008, 18:39

tata should launch fiat panda as TATA PANDA. what say guys?

DieselFan · 29th August 2008, 18:54

I would love to buy a Panda even though I am not a major fiat fan. This car just looks amazing. The kind of off roads it had been driven in looks simply superb. I wonder whether this car would have any impact on its structure if it is driven off road for a prolonged period of time? if so what would that be?

Karandeep81 · 29th August 2008, 19:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by fx45

tata should launch fiat panda as TATA PANDA. what say guys?

TATA Panda

Honestly speaking I would definately be tempted to buy the 100 BHP Panda if Fiat ever launches it. Its hot

Fiat.co.uk | Fiat Showroom : Latest Offers, Book a Test Drive, Fiat Car Range and more

aaggoswami · 29th August 2008, 22:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by DieselFan

I have been thinking of posting this for a while. Now I think is the right time with lot of noise around banning SUVs.
...

Provided it is priced right, i.e. within the price bracket of 5-7 lakhs,its good, but more than that, then there are other cars available. However, if within a limited price bracket of 5-7 lakhs, IMO, there is a market for such a vehicle. But equally important is a modern diesel heart along with good after sales and service support. If this vehicle will not have a diesel motor, the sales would suffer.

If we leave apart SX4 and Panda with 4 X 4, we already have one car in this category, Ford Fusion. It has GC that is more than sufficient, space is there and the dynamics are good. But we know that this car is not a successful one. This makes us think again about the segment and this is the reason why there is emphasis on diesel motor available for max 7 lakhs on the road.

Path_Finder · 29th August 2008, 22:54

If Maruti re-launches Gypsy with the features of present SX4, that could fill this gap. I am sure there is market for that.

METISWHG · 29th August 2008, 23:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by SumitBahl

I always loved the small SUV type cars.
I like Fusion.
On my trips to Malaysia, i always fancied the small/compact SUV's running there, manufactured by a local company "proton".
I have never driven one, so i dont know howaz the suspension, interiors or engine.
But the cars/concept looked cool.

Proton looks like a neat car range and well priced at that. heard recently that they were in talks with Mr. Subbu's company (that purchsed Daweoo car assembly unit in India) to launch the brand in the India

Bigzero · 30th August 2008, 08:37

Toyota RAV4 could be another candidate for this thread.. small, compact crossover SUV and have been around for years now.

I did drive this car while I was in US recently and was thinking why Toyota wasnt introducing her in India.

kkr2k2 · 30th August 2008, 10:03

Pajero mini anyone? even a jymny is a good option.

The pajero mini came in a variety of engines.

There were/are quite a few in japan in the kie cars segment.

Ym-enjn · 30th August 2008, 12:40

The title says Smart "Utility Vehicle" thats sUV, so why all are discussing Smart "Sports Utility Vehicle" that would be sSUV. If its sSUV then I would like to change my vote to a big 'Yes' and candidate will be Toyota Rush. I would buy a Toyota Rush on first preview date.

Glass · 31st August 2008, 23:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by sushanthr77

Some more pics guys. Couldn't resist myself ;-)

Lovely Fiat, would prefer this over a sedan anyday.
Part of the reason I went in for a Fusion.

METISWHG · 1st September 2008, 12:54

Suzuki Cruz made by suzuki for Chevrolet also seems a good option for a small utility vehicle. with 1300 and 1500 cc engines in 2WD and 4WD confirgration, it might be better option in India given suzukis current penetration in the market, while hoping on Panda (though it looks great and is a Fiat) looks tough, given FIATS plans and situation in India.

If anypne has any pictures of it (suzuki Cruz) please share..cant do an image search in my office :(

biju_kp · 1st September 2008, 13:10

Toyota RAV4 if released, will be in the sUV segment

directinjection · 1st September 2008, 13:22

When conceived, the Indica platform WAS supposed to spawn a mini-SUV that never materialised. The closest Tata came to it was with the Advent, an Adventurised version of the Marina.

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Vista can provide a good base for such a vehicle.
Heck, fit bigger wheels and tyres and you get a SmUV!

View Poll Results: If we have a good option of a smart Utility Vehicle would you -
Buy it even if you own a car and have it as your second car	48	34.29%
Buy it only if you do not have a car	17	12.14%
Will sell your existing car to buy it because you just want to have it	49	35.00%
Not interested in owning such a vehicle.	26	18.57%
Voters: 140. You may not vote on this poll

29th August 2008, 17:32	#16
Sudipto-S-Team Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Kolkata Posts: 1,320 Thanked: 290 Times View My Garage	Slightly off-topic but looking at these wonderful pictures of Fiats I felt sad once again that Fiat in India was such an unmitigated disaster due to their poor and short sighted strategy (in the initial years at least) of sending managers from Italy on punishment posting only. On the contrary most other foreign car companies that relied on Indian managers to roll out their limited range of products did well. Hyundai with Subbu is the most shining example of it.
	() Thanks

29th August 2008, 18:27	#17
METISWHG BHPian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Una Posts: 119 Thanked: 11 Times	something on the lines of Ford Escape, smaller than Ford Everest or even a Opel Zafira with better tyres can fit in to my mind In India I would love to buy that kind of a vehicle and .... if they can use E80 Fuel
	() Thanks

29th August 2008, 18:39	#18
fx45 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: mumbai Posts: 1,823 Thanked: 384 Times	tata should launch fiat panda as TATA PANDA. what say guys?
	() Thanks

29th August 2008, 18:54	#19
DieselFan Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,584 Thanked: 259 Times	I would love to buy a Panda even though I am not a major fiat fan. This car just looks amazing. The kind of off roads it had been driven in looks simply superb. I wonder whether this car would have any impact on its structure if it is driven off road for a prolonged period of time? if so what would that be?
	() Thanks

29th August 2008, 22:54	#22
Path_Finder BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 622 Thanked: 6 Times View My Garage	If Maruti re-launches Gypsy with the features of present SX4, that could fill this gap. I am sure there is market for that.
	() Thanks

30th August 2008, 08:37	#24
Bigzero BHPian Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 447 Thanked: 522 Times	Toyota RAV4 could be another candidate for this thread.. small, compact crossover SUV and have been around for years now. I did drive this car while I was in US recently and was thinking why Toyota wasnt introducing her in India.
	() Thanks

30th August 2008, 10:03	#25
kkr2k2 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Melbourne, Hyd Posts: 1,294 Thanked: 66 Times View My Garage	Pajero mini anyone? even a jymny is a good option. The pajero mini came in a variety of engines. There were/are quite a few in japan in the kie cars segment.
	() Thanks

30th August 2008, 12:40	#26
Ym-enjn Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Jaipur Posts: 1,039 Thanked: 59 Times	The title says Smart "Utility Vehicle" thats sUV, so why all are discussing Smart "Sports Utility Vehicle" that would be sSUV. If its sSUV then I would like to change my vote to a big 'Yes' and candidate will be Toyota Rush. I would buy a Toyota Rush on first preview date.
	() Thanks

1st September 2008, 12:54	#28
METISWHG BHPian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Una Posts: 119 Thanked: 11 Times	Suzuki Cruz Suzuki Cruz made by suzuki for Chevrolet also seems a good option for a small utility vehicle. with 1300 and 1500 cc engines in 2WD and 4WD confirgration, it might be better option in India given suzukis current penetration in the market, while hoping on Panda (though it looks great and is a Fiat) looks tough, given FIATS plans and situation in India. If anypne has any pictures of it (suzuki Cruz) please share..cant do an image search in my office :( Last edited by METISWHG : 1st September 2008 at 12:59. Reason: missed the request for pictures
	() Thanks

1st September 2008, 13:10	#29
biju_kp BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 120 Thanked: 0 Times	Toyota RAV4 if released, will be in the sUV segment
	() Thanks

1st September 2008, 13:22	#30
directinjection Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Faridabad/Delhi Posts: 1,703 Thanked: 780 Times	When conceived, the Indica platform WAS supposed to spawn a mini-SUV that never materialised. The closest Tata came to it was with the Advent, an Adventurised version of the Marina. Vista can provide a good base for such a vehicle. Heck, fit bigger wheels and tyres and you get a SmUV!
	() Thanks