PICS : How flatbed tow trucks would run out of business without German cars!

typeOnegative · 20th November 2010, 20:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by carboy

No. It means that if you are able to use rough paper with a cheap fountain pen & a cheap fountain pen suffers no damage, then you should be able to use rough paper with a fountain pen that costs 10 times as much - unless you are buying it just for keeping it in the showcase or something.

Not a very good analogy. Not every one writes on cheap paper. Every pen has a paper made for it. And a way to hold it. Trust me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by carboy

I would think yes.

Did not get you here.

stanjohn123 · 20th November 2010, 21:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by typeOnegative

Did not get you here.

What carboy meant was , he feels Maruti is reliable and thinks the Germans should learn something from Maruti or generally from the Japanese and i believe to some extent even from the Koreans. They do make more reliable cars too.

typeOnegative · 20th November 2010, 22:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by stanjohn123

What carboy meant was , he feels Maruti is reliable and thinks the Germans should learn something from Maruti or generally from the Japanese and i believe to some extent even from the Koreans. They do make more reliable cars too.

But the Germans used to make reliable cars once upon a time is it not? So, should they learn something or un-learn something?

I do not think Maruti is the benchmark for reliability btw. I just think that it is far more repairable. Now a Honda is a different matter.

pgsagar · 20th November 2010, 23:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by typeOnegative

German's not providing more bang for the buck, or in this case, the rupee. Still, as I said, they seem to be on a learning curve.

Germans on a learning curve? Wow! I thought these are the words one associates with Tata.

kadanaJ · 21st November 2010, 00:06

Tata is on a learning curve when it comes to technology and building a niggle free, good quality car.

The Germans are on a learning curve to better understand other markets. It seems they don't understand the Indian environment or consumer.
Neither can their cars survive in the tougher Indian climate the way Toyota or Maruti can, nor do they understand how value oriented the Indian consumer is.

So, yes, the Germans are indeed on a learning curve. To learn to emulate Toyota and Honda's level of reliability that is.

vivekgk · 21st November 2010, 13:39

I think that the engine troubles are mostly due to bad fuel quality in non-metros. Even BS3 grade fuel is not widely available in pumps, though all new vehicles are BS4. I think that earlier, manufacturers used to bring only tried and trusted tech to India. But nowadays, they bring almost all of their international models without adequate testing. And this is the result.

To all who think that using a flatbed crane is snobbery, have you ever had your car towed? A regular crane will ruin your front bumper and the paint on your bonnet, more if youre unlucky. For an expensive car, fixing tha damage caused by a regular crane will more than offset the money saved by using a regular crane. My uncle's car, an M800 had gouges on the bonnet and cracked front bumper after it was towed by the Gypsy crane from Popular Motors (Maruti ASC) itself. Of course they didn't fix it. If you ever have to have your vehicle towed by a regular crane, remove the front bumper and keep it inside the car. Also, put a cushion or something between the chain and the bonnet. I keep a spare cushion and a jute sack in the car's boot.

Max · 22nd November 2010, 00:12

just saw skoda superb on road, it was standing behind towing truck. LOL.

typeOnegative · 22nd November 2010, 16:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by vivekgk

If you ever have to have your vehicle towed by a regular crane, remove the front bumper and keep it inside the car. Also, put a cushion or something between the chain and the bonnet. I keep a spare cushion and a jute sack in the car's boot.

You seem to be well prepared with a lot of experience. Which car?

Good tips. Thanks for that. Not to mention the fact that a flatbed is a way better option than the normal hooked towing.

vineethvazhayil · 22nd November 2010, 20:58

Germans on flatbed trucks in India have started showing up on TV also! On IRT's world's most dangerous roads show yesterday, the truck being driven by the lady was overtaken by a flat bed truck carrying what looked like a M3 on the mountain roads of Manali area!

sidindica · 6th December 2010, 18:14

The sedan had a temp registration.

GTO · 29th December 2010, 15:33

Spot a flatbed and you know it's a European car in trouble. First guess : The infamous Linea / Punto clutch failures.

PICS : How flatbed tow trucks would run out of business without German cars!-21112010469.jpg

PICS : How flatbed tow trucks would run out of business without German cars!-21112010470.jpg

vinukm · 29th December 2010, 16:10

@ GTO - Dont think they are restricted to European cars :( . (Just kidding) I had the privilege of being on a flat bed truck when my car was down last weekend and had to toe it to the service center. It was a American car - Ikon Flair this time. I was surprised the way the car was put on to the truck by single person. My Vehicle was toed by Mondial assistance recovery team and got to know from him that they have only flat bed trucks for recovery.

GTO · 29th December 2010, 17:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by vinukm

It was a American car

Actually, the Ikon is based on the European Fiesta Mark V

av8er · 29th December 2010, 20:31

Saw 3 BMW's in a weeks time on flat bed tow trucks. The first and second one were a 5 series, The first having no damage but the second was partly covered but with a badly damaged front and the third I saw today was a 7series on its way towards KUN I guess because I saw it on the airport road just before the BMW showroom.

Hate to see such brands once built like a tank now on flat bed trucks.

PPS · 29th December 2010, 22:21

My Skoda has broken down thrice in 1 month,its about time i engage a flatbed truck so that i can post some pics in this thread!

21st November 2010, 00:06	#140
kadanaJ BHPian Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Mumbai Posts: 585 Thanked: 958 Times	Tata is on a learning curve when it comes to technology and building a niggle free, good quality car. The Germans are on a learning curve to better understand other markets. It seems they don't understand the Indian environment or consumer. Neither can their cars survive in the tougher Indian climate the way Toyota or Maruti can, nor do they understand how value oriented the Indian consumer is. So, yes, the Germans are indeed on a learning curve. To learn to emulate Toyota and Honda's level of reliability that is.
	(1) Thanks

21st November 2010, 13:39	#141
vivekgk BHPian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Trivandrum Posts: 984 Thanked: 1,986 Times View My Garage	I think that the engine troubles are mostly due to bad fuel quality in non-metros. Even BS3 grade fuel is not widely available in pumps, though all new vehicles are BS4. I think that earlier, manufacturers used to bring only tried and trusted tech to India. But nowadays, they bring almost all of their international models without adequate testing. And this is the result. To all who think that using a flatbed crane is snobbery, have you ever had your car towed? A regular crane will ruin your front bumper and the paint on your bonnet, more if youre unlucky. For an expensive car, fixing tha damage caused by a regular crane will more than offset the money saved by using a regular crane. My uncle's car, an M800 had gouges on the bonnet and cracked front bumper after it was towed by the Gypsy crane from Popular Motors (Maruti ASC) itself. Of course they didn't fix it. If you ever have to have your vehicle towed by a regular crane, remove the front bumper and keep it inside the car. Also, put a cushion or something between the chain and the bonnet. I keep a spare cushion and a jute sack in the car's boot.
	(1) Thanks

22nd November 2010, 00:12	#142
Max BHPian Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Thane Posts: 538 Thanked: 98 Times View My Garage	just saw skoda superb on road, it was standing behind towing truck. LOL.
	() Thanks

22nd November 2010, 20:58	#144
vineethvazhayil Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 1,513 Thanked: 456 Times View My Garage	Germans on flatbed trucks in India have started showing up on TV also! On IRT's world's most dangerous roads show yesterday, the truck being driven by the lady was overtaken by a flat bed truck carrying what looked like a M3 on the mountain roads of Manali area!
	(1) Thanks

6th December 2010, 18:14	#145
sidindica Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 4,892 Thanked: 8,116 Times	The sedan had a temp registration. Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

29th December 2010, 15:33	#146
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,546 Thanked: 300,788 Times View My Garage	Re: PICS : How flatbed tow trucks would run out of business without German cars! Spot a flatbed and you know it's a European car in trouble. First guess : The infamous Linea / Punto clutch failures.
	() Thanks

29th December 2010, 16:10	#147
vinukm BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 189 Thanked: 42 Times	Re: PICS : How flatbed tow trucks would run out of business without German cars! @ GTO - Dont think they are restricted to European cars :( . (Just kidding) I had the privilege of being on a flat bed truck when my car was down last weekend and had to toe it to the service center. It was a American car - Ikon Flair this time. I was surprised the way the car was put on to the truck by single person. My Vehicle was toed by Mondial assistance recovery team and got to know from him that they have only flat bed trucks for recovery.
	(1) Thanks

29th December 2010, 20:31	#149
av8er BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Autoville Posts: 146 Thanked: 86 Times	Re: PICS : How flatbed tow trucks would run out of business without German cars! Saw 3 BMW's in a weeks time on flat bed tow trucks. The first and second one were a 5 series, The first having no damage but the second was partly covered but with a badly damaged front and the third I saw today was a 7series on its way towards KUN I guess because I saw it on the airport road just before the BMW showroom. Hate to see such brands once built like a tank now on flat bed trucks.
	() Thanks

29th December 2010, 22:21	#150
PPS Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: mumbai Posts: 2,470 Thanked: 3,720 Times	Re: PICS : How flatbed tow trucks would run out of business without German cars! My Skoda has broken down thrice in 1 month,its about time i engage a flatbed truck so that i can post some pics in this thread!
	() Thanks