[spd_tkt]

Originally Posted by avanishphatak

I did the test drive of Ather 450
One thing it feels difficult to accept is the annual subscription cost over 8 k. Which is a very expensive. Unless they include battery replacements too !
To compare the maintenance cost i own a Tata Storme
And annual maintenance average for the last 5 years is 10 k (per yr) which included the cost of 5 oil-changes, diesel filter changes, brake pad replacements, clutch replacement. Plus data charges for my navigation tab.
And people say Safari is costly to maintain !

But unlike in the Safari, Ather takes care of the fuel expense as well. Here fuel being the electricity. Even when you charge at home, it is reimbursed.

[avanishphatak]

Originally Posted by spd_tkt

But unlike in the Safari, Ather takes care of the fuel expense as well. Here fuel being the electricity. Even when you charge at home, it is reimbursed.

I completely agree.

Again Fuel expenses is based on the usage. So it always debatable and doesn't justify the flat charges.

The customer who rides less his cost will be adjusted to the customer who is extensively using the bike.

And nobody gives anything for free in business. It always a calculated freebies in business.

Anyways I am happy that Team Ather is open to customers views which is great.

[Chillout]

Originally Posted by Rahul Bhalgat

Bumped into this thread after more than a year.
I can sell Jupiter at around 8k (today's resale value for a 10 year old Activa) and also have my 60k in the mutual funds intact.

Well it's a personal choice,why would one buy a Tesla or Lamborghini when you can get a reliable Camry for several thousands dollars less. Also one may feel happy about not burning fossil fuel, however in India power generation is mostly by thermal plants. Nil pollution during commute is the biggest advantage of this bike

[sri_tesla]

Originally Posted by Chillout

Also one may feel happy about not burning fossil fuel, however in India power generation is mostly by thermal plants. Nil pollution during commute is the biggest advantage of this bike

Its true that power generation in India is mostly by thermal plants, but that is changing at a rapid pace. For the last 2 years, majority of new power plants are renewable (solar + wind). Many of the coal power plants are sitting idle because of cheaper power from the solar and wind plants. Plant load factor for coal plants reduced over the last few years.

States like Karnataka (12.7 GW), Andhra Pradesh (7 GW), Tamilnadu (11.5 GW) made tremendous progress on renewable energy addition over the last 3-4 years. Even states like Rajasthan, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh made good progress. Other states like UP, Odisha, Maharashtra, Gujarat also have many new plants in progress.

See below the renewable power share in Karnataka (45%) and AP (38%). These are on par or even better than many European countries and US states. All incremental power demand can be easily met with cheaper, clean renewable energy (solar and wind). Offshore wind also will be a great option for coastal states in future. Residential solar will be more economical choice option once the EVs are added into the usage.

[hemanth.anand]

The listed price of both the 450 and 350 has been increased on the Ather website. Ather 450 price has increased from ₹1,24,750/- to ₹1,28,028/-.
When I see the breakup, it is clear that the insurance premium is the reason behind the total price increase of approximately ₹3,250/-. The total insurance premium is almost 7000 (6944 to be exact). But it is now a comprehensive cover for the 1st year plus 5years of third party damage coverage (according to the new Supreme court ruling).


The breakup of the 450

Ather 340 price has increased to ₹1,13,023/-

The breakup of the 340

[fordday]

Originally Posted by avanishphatak

One thing it feels difficult to accept is the annual subscription cost over 8 k. Which is a very expensive.

If a huge SUV like Safari Storme's maintenance is around 10 k per yr then 8 + k for a two wheeler is too much to ask.
It should not be more Than 5k.

That 8k also includes the cost of electricity, equivalent to the fuel in your Storme. Now you can appreciate the 8k per year.

[hemanth.anand]

After booking the scooter on June 5th, everyone were eagerly waiting for their scooters. Many people were asking for the delivery date on Ather's forum. After booking we had only got the batch in which the scooter may be delivered. Mine was in the Oct-Dec batch, some people were given the Aug-Sep date. After this, there was no communication whatsoever other than this from the company.

I had called them couple of times and all they told is that if I'm in the Oct-
Dec batch then I'll get the exact date in October

The first delivery of 10 scooters happened on 9/11. After that more and more people started asking for delivery dates on the Ather's Forum. Ather company member used to answer any and all technical questions neatly and quickly but when someone asked about delivery schedule, it was not answered. Finally 2 days ago after few more asked them to communicate the delivery status, even if it says that it'll be delayed, they answered. The following were the 2 important points in that:

1. Sequential order IDs were issued from from June 5th to all who booked the scooter by paying 5k. But that does not mean that it will be delivered in the same order. This is because these were people who had pre-booked the scooter before June 5th and they are given preference although when they actually paid 5k their order ID was higher. Ather has also clarified that this will happen only till November and after that deliveries will be according to order IDs. By that time all people who pre-booked would've their scooters delivered to them

2. After the first 10 scooters on 9/11 there have not been any deliveries. they'll again start that from Mid-October it seems

[hemanth.anand]

Today Ather sent an update on Timelines. The email started with...

Hey ,

Here are the updates you've been anticipating - about delivery timelines, the first batch of scooters that were delivered last month, and the subscription plan. It's taken us a while to communicate them to you since we wanted to you give you as much clarity and finality as possible on the details, especially the timelines. And that's what we'll start with.

Then it went on to explain that the supply roadblocks and unsatisfactory quality of purchased parts are the major reasons for the delay. Then the most important part was...

So, how much longer?

We are working internally and with our supply partners to solve these challenges. While it looks difficult to pull up production in the next 2 months, we expect things to turn around by December 2018. The overall delay ranges between 1-3 months from the communicated timeline for a majority of our customers. In your case, your revised month of delivery will be March 2019. The customer portal has been updated to reflect the same.

My original delivery estimate for me was Oct-Dec 2018 and it now stands at Mar 2019. Obviously people are not amused. Imagine a person like me who booked it on the first day and I've to wait for 9 months!!

Also they have written about some issues with the current scooter that are being worked upon

What's happening with the first batch of scooters?

The first ten scooters have been on Bengaluru roads for more than a month now. Collectively, they have clocked over 6,500 km. Our first customers have been sharing their feedback and experience of owning the scooter on a regular basis. They witnessed some issues during the initial period after delivery, and most of them have been resolved. There are a few issues which will take slightly longer to get fixed and will be resolved in the next 2-3 weeks. Fixes to these issues will be implemented on the current scooters on road, the next set of ten scooters which are getting delivered this month and the subsequent batches of scooters which roll out of the production line.

One important thing to note here is that the second batch of scooters are getting ready and it is again only 10 scooters. the first batch of 10 scooters were delivered on 9/11. that is a total of 20 scooters in 5 months from the date of booking which is obviously very less (4 scooters a month).

Other expected update was subscription plans. many people felt that 700 per month was too high and had requested for flexible plans which Ather told would be made available. but nothing concrete has come out as per today's mail

More subscription plan options

We have been getting a lot of feedback on Ather One being a mandatory plan. While we continue to believe in the value of having a single hassle-free package, we won’t wait for a year for our customers to experience it and be convinced about it. We have been working on a few flexible plans to offer you. You will get a full-fledged update on this in November.

[srishiva]

10 scooters ? How are they building them. Shouldn't they have tested thousands of kilometres and have a good amount of inventory before accepting booking ?
Not sure if people will be patient. Also, they are killing the enthusiasm for electric scooters.

[Rajeevraj]

Originally Posted by hemanth.anand

Today Ather sent an update on Timelines. The email started with...

Ah this is disappointing to hear. The launch itself was delayed many times and that was acceptable as they seemed to want everything perfectly in place before they launched. But now, technical issues, supplier issues , production issues and only 20 units rolled out. It is a great product and hope they are able to get their act together soon.

So are you still going to wait?

[hemanth.anand]

Originally Posted by Rajeevraj

So are you still going to wait?

Disappointing indeed. But working in the automotive manufacturing Industry, I can understand that sometimes problems come from unexpected places and come all at once. Especially being a completely new product and setup, this is a huge lesson to Ather and a wonderful case study for students.

Personally speaking as a person who has booked this scooter...
1. We were never in a great hurry. It'll replace another scooter in good condition and running perfectly alright which we had anyway decided to sell only after we get this in hand.
2. My wife was anyway not keen on using any 2-wheeler in winter.
3. Your own point that it is a great product and hoping they will get their act together soon.

So because of these 3 points, we'll wait.

[Sutripta]

10 scooters? Why did they have to sell any at all? Because the 'problems'seem to be in the supply chain, and not based on feedback from customers.

Maybe there were financial reasons for showing 'production started on such and such date'.

Regards
Sutripta

[ani_meher]

Hope the first 100 'beta testers' are compensated!

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by hemanth.anand

So because of these 3 points, we'll wait.

And point number 4 - There is nothing else quite like it in the market. Yet!

If any of the Japanese majors come out with a comparable product at a comparable (even slightly higher) price point - it's game over for Ather, with such delays.

But then - the Japanese take their own sweet time to react and the Chinese are nowhere close to the product specs and quality offered.

[hemanth.anand]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

And point number 4 - There is nothing else quite like it in the market. Yet!

If any of the Japanese majors come out with a comparable product at a comparable (even slightly higher) price point - it's game over for Ather, with such delays.

True. Vespa Elettrica had a chance IMO. But the price announced for that at the recent EICMA event has made sure that Ather still are in advantage.