[Lukeskywalker]

I doubt the authenticity of this FB page. Do not think it is official. They have pics with (c) of LukeSkyWalker (the same images on the first page of this thread) and also have images of test mule sightings. Seems to be a collection of Storme images available across the net.

You are right about the pics, I checked the FB page after you pointed it out, all the pics of Storme I have posted seem to be taken straight off Tbhp along with the watermarks. The only saving grace is they have mentioned "copyright respcetive owners".

[Dry Ice]

In Luke's pics, the dashboard is a mix of black and beige. However, in ACI's pics it appears totally beige! Is this done across the variants or only a few (top) ?

[octane_100]

Called up Urs Kar (Tata-Fiat dealer in Mysore) yesterday to enquire about the Storme. I basically have a booking for Linea with them and was in two minds whether to hold that booking till Storme breaks cover.

The SA told me that though it was supposed to be launched on 17th Oct, the launch is now delayed by at least a month since all the dealers have given negative feedback on the pricing. As per him, Tata Motors have again huddled up for deciding the pricing and this might delay the launch. . I don't know how far this is true and that he might be saying this just to make me go with the Linea.

However, few things what he did share:

1. Few vehicles are already in bangalore and are awaiting RTO approval

2. The base model as per the current pricing would be 12-12.5L OTR Mysore

3. The Storme base model would be comparable to the current EX variant and will come with ABS and steering mounted controls. I stressed again on the ABS part and he confirmed it will be available on all variants

I also wanted to know if I can see the vehicle. He said he'll discuss with the manager and get back, which he hasn't. It was not in their yards when I went there last week to check on my Linea, don't know if it has arrived in the mean time.

[Fortuner71]

Guys I have booked a 4x4 strome , on the condition that I can cancel if iam not satisfied with it post launch . I have this in written . Dealer from mysore . 50k is the booking amount . Receipt provided with booking form .

[akhilesh51]

Originally Posted by octane_100

1. Few vehicles are already in bangalore and are awaiting RTO approval

2. The base model as per the current pricing would be 12-12.5L OTR Mysore

3. The Storme base model would be comparable to the current EX variant and will come with ABS and steering mounted controls. I stressed again on the ABS part and he confirmed it will be available on all variants

Please note that the launch date of 17th October 2012 is only for NCR, Punjab & Haryana as has been already reported on the forum by fellow members. There is no re-discussion on prices nor have prices been discussed with dealers (when did Tata begin discussing Pricing strategy with dealers! If yes, Aria certainly has changed the way Tata operates )

As per your numbered facts:

1. RTO approvals have to be taken nationwide to allow respective RTOs to create system entry for the new vehicle and these happen months in advance. These vehicles may or may not be for display. In most cases, these vehicles tend to be test mules.

2. No Pricing strategy announced by TML. We need to wait on official communication.

3. ABS being available as an option on lowest variant has already been discussed. Also, it is true that the vehicle cannot be compared to trim levels of current safari because changes are more than just cosmetic and a feature to feature comparison is not adequate.

Originally Posted by Fortuner71

Guys I have booked a 4x4 strome , on the condition that I can cancel if iam not satisfied with it post launch . I have this in written . Dealer from mysore . 50k is the booking amount . Receipt provided with booking form .

Good Move, Buddy! Plan on doing the same in coming week. A completely refundable booking is a brilliant option and I will need to check with the local dealer on the same.

[narayan]

Akhilesh - any idea why launch only in Delhi,NCR,Punjab ? As such TaTa has been taking customer feedback for quite a few months now and our member Luke had also attended this. Despite this I wonder why TaTa is taking such a cautious approach

[akhilesh51]

Originally Posted by narayan

Akhilesh - any idea why launch only in Delhi,NCR,Punjab ? As such TaTa has been taking customer feedback for quite a few months now and our member Luke had also attended this. Despite this I wonder why TaTa is taking such a cautious approach

Only the top bosses can explain the weird ways Tata operates. The only plausible reason is that the recent overhaul of QC niggles pushed back production ramping of the vehicle and they have very limited stocks hence the phased launch.

But, I believe that the further launch phases will not be much behind and the vehicle should launch across nation within a month of first launch.

[ACM]

Originally Posted by n.devdath

I was waiting for you to show up on this thread.
Since you are a happy(I presume) Aria owner, and the Storme shares quite a few underpinnings from the Aria like the chassis and the suspension, can you tell us if you have faced any pre mature wear and tear issues with the Aria (how much has it clocked?) so far?

This could be used as a rough reference point to the expected wear and tear of the steering, suspension and a few mechanical components on the Storme.

Yep am happy with the Aria. Am right now at about 48,000 kms.
But that does not imply that I have not yet had any issues. Most have been minor. Electronics and Gizmos have worked fine. The Biggest issue has been the a fault in the Gear Box - Bearing play (inside the gear box) causing the central shaft / spindle to wear out. Yep should not have happened but they handled the issue quite well and attempted to inconvenience me the least possible once it was detected and reported.

TATA has treated it's Aria customers better in general. Infact quite well. The Gearbox failure happened during my recent Konkan Experience trip (A trip paid for by me to experience a long drive with SUV lovers on roads best covered in an SUV) at Mangalore with TATA Motors itself. They are not only replacing the Gearbox though just a repair is mandated by warranty beyound 10K kms. But also arranged for me to continue my trip in a company Aria from Mangalore to Coorg to Jog Falls and back to Mumbai. They have also offered to and arranged to send my vehicle to Mumbai from Mangalore.

All other issues were minor or related to my vehicle being from the very first lot of Aria's - I guess the first in Pride 4X4 Night Shade Black in Mumbai.

Clutch has lasted till now, the Brake pads were replaced at about 40k kms at my cost ofcourse. Though they did replace the Shock Absorbers and tyres at their cost at about 30K kms when I reported uneven tyre wear. Am sticking to 10K service interval though 15K is mandated. They always manage to give an immediate appointment to ARIA customers and the SA handing Aria at Wasan motors looks after Aria and Safari only.

A TATA Aria is no Toyota it will require higher frequency of visits to the service centre than say a Fortuner but will also be more comforting and feature rich. I guess in reliability it is ball park around the XUV. I would think that it is that bit better but then being an owner myself let me leave it at equals. The new Safari can be expected to be similar to the Aria but a bit more reliable as it does use a bit simpler mechanicals (AWD etc. ) and yet will also pick up many things from the Aria that have by now been further tested and improved upon.

In some ways would actually prefer a Safari over the Aria if the Safari had the full safety & feature set of the Aria with AWD and its inherently better entry and exit angles coupled with the fact that I don't really use the Aria as a seven seater it is a 5 seater at most times and has been used for 7/8 people only on 4-5 short trip occations like taking office staff for a treat. Besides believe with the revised Shorter turn circle the Safari is more manoverable as also with the Aria chassis and wheel mounted below the rear more stable. Lasly the rear door will not rattle like in the earlier safari with the spare wheel moving out.

[Lukeskywalker]

Originally Posted by narayan

Akhilesh - any idea why launch only in Delhi,NCR,Punjab ? As such TaTa has been taking customer feedback for quite a few months now and our member Luke had also attended this. Despite this I wonder why TaTa is taking such a cautious approach

The phased launch is based on bookings expected and "dumping" sufficient vehicles in one market and then gradually increasing the availability, as Akhilesh pointed out, the launch is pretty close on hand in other parts of the country too.

[narayan]

If this is the case,TaTa is probably expecting "massive bookings" at launch that this phased launch is called for. I am just trying to recall when was the last time a manufacturer did this. This possibly points to an aggressive pricing (at current Safari levels ) else there is no reason to expect a big rush for bookings. Eagerly waiting for October 17 pr earlier

[sarthakgupta]

Tata motors should clearly understand that they have lost the D1 segment (> 12lakhs) SUV market to XUV 500. The C2 segment (8 to 12 lakhs) SUV market is a great opportunity for them since next gen Mahindra Scorpio is a good 2 - 3 years away. From the time that they have taken to fine tune this product, it seems they have left no stoned unturned to create a product which is right from day 1. They just need to price it correctly.

Howsoever we all love to flame Tata Motors, deep within, we all wish them to succeed and become the next Toyota or VW.

10 more days to go. Countdown has begun. Good Luck Tata.

[Passiondrive]

If the on road price of the top end storme stays within 12 lakhs...this launch will rewrite history. I guess i have been doing too much of research in this particular segment for the past one year.Its not a suggestion...but the cold dark truth !!

[kaviprem]

Originally Posted by Passiondrive

If the on road price of the top end storme stays within 12 lakhs...this launch will rewrite history. I guess i have been doing too much of research in this particular segment for the past one year.Its not a suggestion...but the cold dark truth !!

Current top end Safari OTR's at 16+L [If I remember right]. So, lets be realistic in our expectation, only then, we can claim our disappointment !

Prem.

[comfortablynumb]

Originally Posted by kaviprem

Current top end Safari OTR's at 16+L [If I remember right]. So, lets be realistic in our expectation, only then, we can claim our disappointment !

Slightly OT: IMO, we should base our judgments w.r.t over pricing/optimum pricing of the Storme on the ex-showroom prices rather than the on-road price in various locations. Just to illustrate, the OTR price of a Safari VX in Pune would be approximately 14.25 - 14.50L, while in B'lore it would be more than 16L.

After all, TML [or any other mfg'er, for that matter] are not responsible for the road tax/registration fees/octroi/any other miscellaneous taxes' structure [that contribute to the OTR price] in various states, are they?

Cheers,
Vikram

[kaviprem]

Originally Posted by comfortablynumb

Slightly OT: IMO, we should base our judgments w.r.t over pricing/optimum pricing of the Storme on the ex-showroom prices rather than the on-road price in various locations. Just to illustrate, the OTR price of a Safari VX in Pune would be approximately 14.25 - 14.50L, while in B'lore it would be more than 16L.

After all, TML [or any other mfg'er, for that matter] is not responsible for the road tax/registration fees/octroi/any other miscellaneous taxes' structure [that contribute to the OTR price] in various states, are they?

Cheers,
Vikram

Vikram, I agree, I was about to mention, Kerala might be cheaper by a lakh or so. Still, within 12L of OTR for top end Storme is not so reasonable according to me.

Prem.