Hallucinations of the Uninitiated

The year 2008 may be the final year for the ubiquitous Maruti 800. The government’s safety norms are coming up in 2008 and the 800 cannot meet the crash test norms. Bidding adieu in 2008 - for similar reasons - will also be the Maruti Omni van and the Esteem sedan. Amongst other cars on Indian roads, the Ambassador cannot meet the crash test norms and will finally say its last hooray in 2008.

Coming back to the M800, the car still sells about 5,000 units a month. That’s a significant number, more than the total sales of a number of companies and is significant also because Maruti probably has 50-60% profit on every unit sold, having amortized every machinery, tools and dies, jigs and fixtures for the car.

So, does it make sense for Maruti to continue with the 800?

Apparently not. The whiff that I am getting out of Maruti’s cooking pot is that it is the final goodbye for the 800 in 2008. The car will require heavy modifications in order to meet the crash test norms, something that Maruti does not want to work on. The 800’s dies are beyond their use by date and they have already been refurbished. A second overhaul will be expensive and Maruti is not very keen to do that. So my bet is on the 800 limping till 2008 and then signing off.

The Esteem will sign off too and will be replaced by the Swift sedan. That’s a product worth waiting for as the three-box version will be powered by the Swift’s capable powerplants.

Also signing off will be the Omni. This should be replaced by the Versa which may meet the crash-test norms, barely.

And that is why the new Automotive Mission Plan (AMP), as unveiled by the Prime Minister recently (not the 46 page one originally drafted and available for download on the net, but the 55 page one with the last minute changes actually released by the PM) is so important.

The Versa is shorter than 3.8 metres so will benefit from excise duty reductions, bringing the price down. Put in the diesel engine from the Swift and you have a van that will thrash the living daylights out of the Indica taxicab.

It has all started to make sense to me now.

Or maybe I am just hallucinating.

For more details on Hallucinations of the Uninitiated visit www.theautodiary.com

Written by Car Enthusiast on June 30th, 2007 with no comments.
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Diminished Value- The Biggest Secret in the Insurance Company

Portland, Ore., 2008 – The Appraisal Group of America is an expert in the field of Diminished Value. If you’ve never heard of it before it’s important to know because it could cost you thousands of dollars. Any consumer seeking to recovery the maximum possible from automobile accident appraisals should find out all they can about this hidden fact.

If your car is newer than 2002 and the accident was not your fault, Diminished Value is due to you and can be paid nationally by every insurance company. Diminished Value Claims can be worth 20-50% of the vehicle’s resale value, typically worth in the thousands. Typical claims for Diminished Value scenarios can run around $4,000 -$15,000 for a single claim and estimates on luxury high end vehicles can get even higher amounts.

Research shows that 55% of consumers would not buy a car if had been in an accident and over 80% would want a huge discount on the price before they would consider such a purchase. A study completed by the State of Florida determined “uncompensated losses” due to “decreased value” were estimated to be worth over twenty billion dollars in the United States.

When a demand for diminished value is made, insurance companies may deny diminished value has happened. Claimants need to support their diminished value claims with an expert appraisal that can determine that diminished value has occurred. Appraisal Group of America fights to get you the settlement that you’re entitled to – all across the nation.

Jack Donnelly – LTC US Army (Ret) a total loss client says it all -

“Thanks for your tenacious persistence in prosecuting my claim with USAA… Without your expertise I never would have gotten the over $21K plus tax from them. I have recommended you to friends and will continue to do so in the future.”

Terry Fisher, Automobile Diminished Value Expert gets consumers millions of dollars for Diminished Value Claims. Even if your claim has already been settled, you can still file a separate Diminished Value claim as long as the repairs are recent.

You can contact Terry Fisher at Autoloss.com and get a free quote online for your diminished value appraisal. Call them Toll-Free at (877) 655-1661.

Written by Car Enthusiast on August 20th, 2008 with comments disabled.
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