Passion don't pay! How Lamborghini does a "Ferrari" in India.

MileCruncher · 13th November 2009, 23:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikhilb2008

Sorry to go off topic, but wasnt this with some maharaja and Rolls Royce?

Maharaja of Patiala and Rolls Royce.

BAKIYA_2K12 · 14th November 2009, 03:17

Even i went to that event, i was really upset what happen in the track.

I never thought Lamborghini will treat their fans like what happen today.

It's like people with money should see and enjoy these cars and we not even supposed to look at it? i don't know what on earth is wrong with these people.

nishant_kingpin · 14th November 2009, 03:50

Even though I feel this was wrong from all angles and the sales people should have known this basic fact. Don’t we all see the aspect of this being a "By Invitation Only" party. This sounds more like, am not here to watch the movie, let me atleast go into PVR and check out the posters.

The entire episode could have been managed better in my opinion. Easiest way could have been having a specific time for Mango People like me, who are handed an invitation post card as soon as I eagerly walk up for a specific date & time

lamborghini · 14th November 2009, 03:54

Nitrous: Sorry to hear about your experience. I am quite surprised this happened, specially after hearing about the Lambo story and being treated with respect when I went to see the Parent company's flagship A8 at the dealer in Mumbai.
I pulled up in the fiesta, walked in, and was shown in detail the A8, A6.

Even in the states, I went to the Audi dealership in old clothes, a 7 year old car, and was still treated with respect.

I think you should write a letter to both Audi as well as Lamborghini about your experience.
An apology is badly needed. A TD would only make things better.

fiery enzyme · 14th November 2009, 05:46

Nitrous, If you are serious about this, send me a PM. I will be meeting a topshot at VW AG quite soon.

raul · 14th November 2009, 06:04

I think everyone cannot be good, it takes a good person to indulge an enthusiast, or a professional. Snobbery and small mindedness unfortunately afflicts the best of us, especially employees of 'premium or 'wannabe premium' brands, somehow some of them seem to mistake petty arrogance and self importance for class.

As a Lamborghini employee what do you lose by letting an enthusiast get a feel of the car, sometimes people behave without understanding the impact they have on other people.

majorpayne · 14th November 2009, 06:43

Forget Lamborghini! Lets take something MUCH cheaper. I was interested in buying the Kawasaki Ninja 250, but Bajaj refused / refuses give me a test ride.

I think this all boils down to poor PR. And it gets even poorer when it comes to the Indian consumer market.

The sad thing is, there are LOADS of people who still went ahead and bought the bike without even test riding it. So, who cares about PR as long as their cash registers are still ringing.... right Nitrous??

PS: Sorry for going off topic a bit

Aditya · 14th November 2009, 06:57

The Lambo India chaps are possibly a bunch of guys who do not know how to react in such a situation. It's the first time in their lives that they have had something this expensive to sell and they are just trying to show that they are "better" and "higher" than you.
Was this an "entry by invitation only" event?

PatchyBoy · 14th November 2009, 07:03

I don't believe that Lamborghini is fully to blame here. It has more to do with our mentality as a whole. And this is not just restricted to automobiles.

There is a deep rooted "status" classification in our mindset. Try walking into a prestigious restaurant or jewelery or apparel shop dressed in plain jane clothes and you will see what I mean.

We do not even have to look that far. Most of us are regular road users. Haven't we observed the difference in behaviour of fellow road users wrt to a Merc as against a M800?

That is the problem. Having said that, of course Lamborghini is also responsible in educating their staff on etiquette, but I suspect in this incident, most likely, the people who did this would be the Event Management agency's staff.

I hope one day we will also learn to treat fellow human beings with respect, no matter what their financial standing.

Rajan

vkochar · 14th November 2009, 08:14

I am not surprised with the behaviour of the Lambo Officials in India. It happens. In India we tend to get over carried by these cars. I am not saying that what they did was good and professional. It was just that it could have been handled in a better way.

On one of my first trip to UK, I was staying near Birmingham and we were looking for a supermarket to buy some stuff, we crossed the Lambo showroom and my associate asked me - do you want to check it out ? I was not sure and I said NO as I thought it was out of my league to even enter the showroom and he insisted that I go and check it out. Well, I stepped out with another person and went inside only to be greeted by a very smart looking girl who asked me what was I looking for and I said I just wanted to look at the car - there was only one on display - I think a White Gallardo Spyder it was - I went in and took a stroll, touched the vehicle, peeked inside and even opened the door, had a look at the specs on a board, went to the counter and ended up buying a Lambo T Shirt ( cot me 50 quid / 4000 rs ). I was gifted a pack Of Lambo Cofee Cups free by the dealer

This was a nice experience and I am sure the dealer knew that I was not interested in buying the vehicle and I had made that clear to the person. BUT I should also state that when I entered the showroom the showroom had no one else inside, no visitors or customers, no people looking outside at the wondow, This would have been India they would have had security guards guarding the window !

quickdraw · 14th November 2009, 08:50

Ok quick question were the guys who came to you Indian or firangs? Moreso were they really Automobili Lamborgnini SpA employees? Because I seriously doubt they would bother a bunch of guys sitting in a car ogling at people thrashing around cars on the track. Please detail it a bit more.

1Day · 14th November 2009, 09:52

I was suppose to be attending the event also with my friend, unfortunately some scheduling conflict happened, because of which I couldn't go.

Anyhow, I understand your point, but some of the people have brought up good points. I believe it was an invitation only event, so some sort of restrictions are expected at such places anywhere in the world, not just india.

Could it also not be that people(customers or potential customers) who were there didnt want their pictures taken, it could very well be seen as a security risk? Why do we blur the license plate when we post pictures, just because we dont want to reveal identities. The guy who asked you to leave could also have been thinking of that?

Again I am not justifying their actions(because it could have been handled better), just providing possibilities, because there is never a single side to the story.

Sorry to hear it anyways..

DileepKS · 14th November 2009, 09:52

Just one question. How many people were there around, "just looking!" at that time? Volvo brought their stuff to Cochin for the Ocean Race. When I went there, they had to fall back into setting up a line, where people just walk in a single file line, almost like a funeral viewing. Can't blame Volvo. We, the nice motorheads of Cochin had done enough damage to their stuff already.

nitrous · 14th November 2009, 13:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aditya

Was this an "entry by invitation only" event?

Yes. But, we weren't party crashers. We were pretty far from the event.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patchyboy

most likely, the people who did this would be the Event Management agency's staff.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quickdraw

were the guys who came to you Indian or firangs? Moreso were they really Automobili Lamborgnini SpA employees?

Yes, It was a 'firang' lady wearing a 'Lamborghini Spa' T-Shirt. And then, a guy from Delhi and a whole lot of others (perhaps locals too) gathered to send us off.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DileepKS

How many people were there around, "just looking!" at that time?

6.

Quote:

Originally Posted by majorpayne

Lets take something MUCH cheaper. I was interested in buying the Kawasaki Ninja 250, but Bajaj refused / refuses give me a test ride.

Trust me. Kawasaki are saint compared to Lambo.
Kawasaki are in NEED of enthusiasts for the promotion here. Not racers, but Bike fanatics.

srishiva · 14th November 2009, 13:53

Did they explain the reasons? Any customer dependent company has to be nice and explain things rather than just asking to go away.
At any of the autoshows abroad, even Porshe does not let us sit in some of their cars. You can only see them from afar. Its the same everywhere, nothing specific to India.

14th November 2009, 03:17	#17
BAKIYA_2K12 BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: CHENNAI Posts: 190 Thanked: 4 Times View My Garage	Even i went to that event, i was really upset what happen in the track. I never thought Lamborghini will treat their fans like what happen today. It's like people with money should see and enjoy these cars and we not even supposed to look at it? i don't know what on earth is wrong with these people.
	() Thanks

14th November 2009, 03:50	#18
nishant_kingpin BHPian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: New Delhi Posts: 335 Thanked: 4 Times	Even though I feel this was wrong from all angles and the sales people should have known this basic fact. Don’t we all see the aspect of this being a "By Invitation Only" party. This sounds more like, am not here to watch the movie, let me atleast go into PVR and check out the posters. The entire episode could have been managed better in my opinion. Easiest way could have been having a specific time for Mango People like me, who are handed an invitation post card as soon as I eagerly walk up for a specific date & time
	() Thanks

14th November 2009, 03:54	#19
lamborghini Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 6,114 Thanked: 5,763 Times View My Garage	Nitrous: Sorry to hear about your experience. I am quite surprised this happened, specially after hearing about the Lambo story and being treated with respect when I went to see the Parent company's flagship A8 at the dealer in Mumbai. I pulled up in the fiesta, walked in, and was shown in detail the A8, A6. Even in the states, I went to the Audi dealership in old clothes, a 7 year old car, and was still treated with respect. I think you should write a letter to both Audi as well as Lamborghini about your experience. An apology is badly needed. A TD would only make things better.
	() Thanks

14th November 2009, 05:46	#20
fiery enzyme BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: TN 01 Posts: 413 Thanked: 27 Times View My Garage	Nitrous, If you are serious about this, send me a PM. I will be meeting a topshot at VW AG quite soon.
	() Thanks

14th November 2009, 06:04	#21
raul BHPian Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Pune Posts: 920 Thanked: 372 Times	I think everyone cannot be good, it takes a good person to indulge an enthusiast, or a professional. Snobbery and small mindedness unfortunately afflicts the best of us, especially employees of 'premium or 'wannabe premium' brands, somehow some of them seem to mistake petty arrogance and self importance for class. As a Lamborghini employee what do you lose by letting an enthusiast get a feel of the car, sometimes people behave without understanding the impact they have on other people.
	() Thanks

14th November 2009, 06:43	#22
majorpayne BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 82 Thanked: 23 Times View My Garage	Forget Lamborghini! Lets take something MUCH cheaper. I was interested in buying the Kawasaki Ninja 250, but Bajaj refused / refuses give me a test ride. I think this all boils down to poor PR. And it gets even poorer when it comes to the Indian consumer market. The sad thing is, there are LOADS of people who still went ahead and bought the bike without even test riding it. So, who cares about PR as long as their cash registers are still ringing.... right Nitrous?? PS: Sorry for going off topic a bit
	() Thanks

14th November 2009, 06:57	#23
Aditya Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 17,845 Thanked: 77,082 Times View My Garage	The Lambo India chaps are possibly a bunch of guys who do not know how to react in such a situation. It's the first time in their lives that they have had something this expensive to sell and they are just trying to show that they are "better" and "higher" than you. Was this an "entry by invitation only" event?
	() Thanks

14th November 2009, 07:03	#24
PatchyBoy BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Goa Posts: 917 Thanked: 2,023 Times View My Garage	I don't believe that Lamborghini is fully to blame here. It has more to do with our mentality as a whole. And this is not just restricted to automobiles. There is a deep rooted "status" classification in our mindset. Try walking into a prestigious restaurant or jewelery or apparel shop dressed in plain jane clothes and you will see what I mean. We do not even have to look that far. Most of us are regular road users. Haven't we observed the difference in behaviour of fellow road users wrt to a Merc as against a M800? That is the problem. Having said that, of course Lamborghini is also responsible in educating their staff on etiquette, but I suspect in this incident, most likely, the people who did this would be the Event Management agency's staff. I hope one day we will also learn to treat fellow human beings with respect, no matter what their financial standing. Rajan
	() Thanks

14th November 2009, 08:14	#25
vkochar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Delhi / Agra / London Posts: 2,146 Thanked: 819 Times View My Garage	I am not surprised with the behaviour of the Lambo Officials in India. It happens. In India we tend to get over carried by these cars. I am not saying that what they did was good and professional. It was just that it could have been handled in a better way. On one of my first trip to UK, I was staying near Birmingham and we were looking for a supermarket to buy some stuff, we crossed the Lambo showroom and my associate asked me - do you want to check it out ? I was not sure and I said NO as I thought it was out of my league to even enter the showroom and he insisted that I go and check it out. Well, I stepped out with another person and went inside only to be greeted by a very smart looking girl who asked me what was I looking for and I said I just wanted to look at the car - there was only one on display - I think a White Gallardo Spyder it was - I went in and took a stroll, touched the vehicle, peeked inside and even opened the door, had a look at the specs on a board, went to the counter and ended up buying a Lambo T Shirt ( cot me 50 quid / 4000 rs ). I was gifted a pack Of Lambo Cofee Cups free by the dealer This was a nice experience and I am sure the dealer knew that I was not interested in buying the vehicle and I had made that clear to the person. BUT I should also state that when I entered the showroom the showroom had no one else inside, no visitors or customers, no people looking outside at the wondow, This would have been India they would have had security guards guarding the window !
	() Thanks

14th November 2009, 08:50	#26
quickdraw Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Delhi Posts: 1,286 Thanked: 2,695 Times View My Garage	Ok quick question were the guys who came to you Indian or firangs? Moreso were they really Automobili Lamborgnini SpA employees? Because I seriously doubt they would bother a bunch of guys sitting in a car ogling at people thrashing around cars on the track. Please detail it a bit more.
	() Thanks

14th November 2009, 09:52	#27
1Day Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chicago/Delhi Posts: 1,360 Thanked: 4 Times View My Garage	I was suppose to be attending the event also with my friend, unfortunately some scheduling conflict happened, because of which I couldn't go. Anyhow, I understand your point, but some of the people have brought up good points. I believe it was an invitation only event, so some sort of restrictions are expected at such places anywhere in the world, not just india. Could it also not be that people(customers or potential customers) who were there didnt want their pictures taken, it could very well be seen as a security risk? Why do we blur the license plate when we post pictures, just because we dont want to reveal identities. The guy who asked you to leave could also have been thinking of that? Again I am not justifying their actions(because it could have been handled better), just providing possibilities, because there is never a single side to the story. Sorry to hear it anyways..
	() Thanks

14th November 2009, 09:52	#28
DileepKS BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Cochin Posts: 137 Thanked: 8 Times	Just one question. How many people were there around, "just looking!" at that time? Volvo brought their stuff to Cochin for the Ocean Race. When I went there, they had to fall back into setting up a line, where people just walk in a single file line, almost like a funeral viewing. Can't blame Volvo. We, the nice motorheads of Cochin had done enough damage to their stuff already.
	() Thanks

14th November 2009, 13:53	#30
srishiva Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 4,375 Thanked: 2,256 Times	Did they explain the reasons? Any customer dependent company has to be nice and explain things rather than just asking to go away. At any of the autoshows abroad, even Porshe does not let us sit in some of their cars. You can only see them from afar. Its the same everywhere, nothing specific to India.
	() Thanks