IMPORTANT-Read the disclaimer carefully before making any further replies.
Disclaimer:
- the agency that conducted the survey wanted to remain anonymous. So kindly do not ask me which one. It is NOT the same which conducted the earlier study for Peugeot/Citroen in 2008.
- Very Very few invitees, so the company also wanted to keep the location secret. Do not again ask me where I went.
- No pictures, of course due to security reasons. Me and my co-person's phone was not allowed inside. I had to submit it outside and turn it off.
- Whatever information I could gather I will put here at one go. Please DO NOT ask any questions or request any additional info which deviates from the information that I will post here.
If you recall this thread
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian...ots-chery.html
BHPian coolbareilly's friend gave a scoop here where he posted the first spyshots of 3 models of Chery undergoing testing in NCR region.
Well, as many of you have guessed correctly, Chery cars, China is planning to launch its range of cars and CUVs here.
It all happened yesterday midnight when I just finished watching an awards function hosted by Fahid Kapoor that I got a call from a person that today morning at 7:30 AM he will come and pick me up for a secret feasibility study that an agency is conducting for chery cars, China. I was of course, excited to see that how good these "cars" are really in person. At the same time, I was skeptical about the survey and which cars they displayed etc.
I was ready today morning at the said time and then he comes and picks me up in his splendor and we go. Fearing east Delhi traffic jam, of course we go on this bike. We were asked to reach this venue, a good 60 kms away, latest by 8:45 am to start the questionnaire (cannot scan and post it since I do not have) by 9 AM sharp.
We reach on time, and then our proper talaashi is made by the security guard, we were asked to hand over any mobile/camera/ other electronic gadget that we were carrying and only after 5 minutes of harrowing talaashi we were let in.
9 AM.
It is inside a huge tent, and with a makeshift LCD projector enabled room, we get the briefing about the Indian automobile industry, small car market in particular etc. I was relieved when the agent told me that the survey would only last about an hour.
As mentioned, Chery plans to initially launch 3 cars, one in the entry level A plus segment, one in the entry level B segment, and another in the entry CUV/entry SUV segment, a-la the Scorpio.
These 3 cars appeared to be the same that was scooped in the aforementioned thread (colors and taping of the badges) and some of the competitors were also on display, with the same idiosyncrasy of badge taped on, as if they think I am a big dumbo.
Cherry QQ
Of course, this was the first car that I had a look. I was so pissed off when I saw hoe uncanningly it resembles the old Daewoo Matiz. In fact,as I was a former Matiz owner, the doors looked perfectly interchangeable with each other. Blatent copy. The front end looked pathetic like a fishmouth frog as if it wanted to liplock me with a kiss or wanted to suck me in. the rear was pretty but again many matiz cues can be seen here. I even dared to ask the representative of the company and he denied my allegation by nodding his face left and right.
The build quality of course was even flimsy than a nano (a reason why it failed the euro NCAP crash test and almost scored zero stars) and inside, the plastics were as bad as they can get. Imagine this:
- Test car that clocked about 1500 km had glove box that would not lock in place and fall off after I opened and closed it a bit harshly.
- co passenger seat belt broke off.
- the door pads were so flimsily built that if they are dry cleaned, it seems that the materials can tear apart in the first-second use only.
- tilt steering lever comes apart when I try to adjust it.
I kinda liked the seating position, identical to my old matiz, low and good view of the road ahead, but seat is not height adjustable. The cushioning is decent but lower back support is awful.
Legroom is surprisingly decent, both front and rear and 4 5.5 feet adults can sit comfortably in it. If only the back seat was better, let down by hard cushioning and flat squab shape.
Of course they did not start the motor, but they are planning to equip this car with a 0.8L 3 cylinder DOHC (yes, DOHC) motor with 51 bhp@6000 rpm and about 70 NM torque@3500 rpm. Identical figures to the matiz? Yes, even I was surprised but when I had a look at the motor it was NOT wearing any resemblance to the matiz motor, barring the air intake, as show in a pic. It was their own design, and it seemed a tight fit at the engine bay.
Tyre size was 145/70 on 13".
Other cars that were parked along with it were:
They are planning to price it with, can you believe it-2,20,000-2,75,000 in a number of varients-NON AC, AC+ PS and a decently loaded one. No ABS/airbags are planned.
Mu suggestion to Chery: Kindly give crash protective suits to the potential would be buyers so that our lives are not put into risk.
(pics taken from net to show as a representation)