Due to my work nature I could take a test drive only on weekends or public holidays.
I approached the dealer "Trivandrum Motors" at Trivandrum for a test drive of Nexon and Altroz. I reside approx 25kms from the dealer point. I called them on 29th October (a public holiday in Kerala) sometime around 10.30 am, for a test drive at around 1.00pm. They agreed to have the vehicles ready for TD. Once I reached there, I was told that only Altroz was available.
The Altroz was feature rich, but sadly the fit and finish were not upto the mark. When i pulled or released the hand break, the whole console moves slightly. I tried to start it from a moderate incline, and had to make the engine really work for it to pull up. Thankfully I didn’t stall. Since I had been driving only automatics for the past 1.5 years, I thought it would be my driving style that needed to change. However the SA confirmed that it’s a bit underpowered for its weight and the engine needs some getting used to. Tata please plonk the Nexon Turbo Engine into Altroz, at least in the higher variants and still you can still undercut the new I20
On my request they assured that Nexon would be made available on 1 Nov 2020, a Sunday. However when I called on 31 October, they asked me to confirm on 1 Nov again. I did so and came to know that the vehicle couldn't be arranged as they were holding a stock verification exercise.
I visited the Tata motors website and found about a second dealer in Trivandrum, Derik Motors. Unfortunately the number listed was not working. So I raised a TD request mentioning that I would like to have the TD on that day, i.e. Sunday (1-nov-20) itself.
Derik motors representative called me on 2 Nov 20. However I couldn't make time for a TD in the weekdays. TaMo representative called on 02 Nov 20 seeking feedback on the response from Dealer end. the caller was not really interested in bagging a sale. All they wanted to know was whether the dealer had contacted the customer. TaMo need to train its telecallers. A representative of Derik Motors called me again with an offer to provide TD Vehicle on weekdays, which I declined on account of my work schedule.
On 5th November, (Thursday) I called up Trivandrum motors again to book a TD appointment for 7 Nov (Saturday). They promised to have the vehicle ready. Since I reside 25kms away from dealer location I called to confirm the availability of the vehicle on 7th November. Unsurprisingly the wonderful folk at Trivandrum Motors didn't have the vehicle again. Thankfully I escaped from a futile 50km commute (1 side 25kms).
Trivandrum motors did say that they will arrange a vehicle for TD if possible in the afternoon or evening. I wanted to speak with the showroom people regarding vehicle documentation; hence I declined their unreliable offer.
I contacted Derik Motors, but their TD vehicle had crashed and won't be ready for 2 days at least. I hope to have a TD on Nov 14th at least.
That's almost 3 weeks to arrange a TD vehicle.
These kind of pathetic dealers are bringing down the sales and reputation of TaMo despite having some great cars.
For reference I am sharing my TD experience with other brands:
VW: Requested TD on 17th Oct (saturday) and TD was arranged on 18th without any follow up or fuss despite EVM Volkswagen motors being the sole dealer in almost 5 Districts of kerala
Maruti: TD request was placed by me on 17 Oct 20, well after 6.00 pm. They promised to have a vehicle ready on 18th. Though the TD vehicle wasn't available, the SA got a brand new Brezza of his friend for TD. I was pleasantly surprised.
Ford: Contacted Harry Ford on 26 Oct (public holiday in kerala) at about 10.00 am, fixed appointment for 12.00 pm got TD of Ford Freestyle, Ecosport and Aspire.
Unless and until TaMo dealers are agile, all the enquiries and buzz around Altroz and Nexon will simply fizz off. And the crores spent on advertising in IPL will not really convert into sales. I am feeling very let down by the TaMo dealers who seem to be hell bent on spoiling the brand name
For reference, sales of market leader Maruti in Oct 20 were 1.63 lacs units, whereas Tata had managed 23,600 units only (a meagre 14%). The willingness to walk the extra mile for the customers by Maruti Suzuki dealerships is a prime reason for them to retain the No 1 spot since inception. Hope TaMo takes a leaf out of these and instructs their dealers accordingly
TaMo should have more dealers rather than encouraging monopoly and duopoly in tier 2 and 3 cities.
Lack of volumes could be a factor for lesser number of dealerships per city for TaMo. Maybe allowing the sales of LCV like ace and winger along with passenger cars at the same premises will encourage more people to setup dealerships. Since infra and other expenses can be shared among CV and PC, costs could be rationalised further.