May 09, 2011 03:39 PM
15852 Views
(Updated May 09, 2011 03:46 PM)
I bought a FIAT EMOTION PACK DIESEL from Concorde Motors, Guindy, Chennai in May 2010 and have since clocked around 30, 000 kms. In other words, my nightmares began a year ago with FIAT and Tata Motors.
Why FIAT?
The looks were great and since clock over a 100 kms daily, the mileage was interesting, and importantly was given a very good discount on the price by Concorde, which actually clinched the deal.
The Performance
The Initial pick up of the vehicle is extremely poor. However once it gathers speed it can be really fast and stable at high speeds. I have driven the car upto 180 KMPH and found it stable at this speed.
The car returns an average of 17-18 KMPL on highways(Highest 23 kmpl if driven @70KMPH constantly) and about 13 KMPH in the city. Both with AC On.
The suspension is not as smooth as the competition. However the biggest issue with the car is its low ground clearance- THIS MAKES IT TOTALLY UNSUITABLE FOR INDIAN ROADS.
The Problems:
During Pre delivery check, found AC to be defective. Found a part in the bonnet broken and found the insulation sheet to be improperly fit. Sales man agreed and said it was a minor problem and all would be rectified before dleivery. Delivery taken 27.5.10- 7 PM, None of the problems attended to. Sales man said send the car back on 31st May 2010.(Still unable to understand what their PDI was doing)
On 29th May approx after car driver for 50-60 KM diesel smell, due to leakage in car, within 2 minutes road was flooded and 4 motorcyclists fell down. Heavy smoke from the vehicle and Panic on the roads. Concorde service team arrived in about 45 mins- they tried to open boot- did not open.
They could not explain from where and why the fuel was leaking! The car was purportedly repaired and sent back to us- The problems remained. Once again the FUEL Tank leaked and the AC was not properly done. Wrote to FIAT INTERNATIONAL, FIAT PUNE, TATA MOTORS and of course Concorde. The response from FIAT ITALY- FIAT INDIA IS NOT RESPONDING TO THEIR MAILS!. FIAT INDIA NEVER RESPONDED TO ANY OF OUR MAILS. (PITY US LESSER MORTALS) Their Service Manager Mr Mangesh based in PUNE NEVER answers my phone as he has apparently noted down my mobile No. Calls from other Nos are answered by him.
FIAT say TATA MOTORS is the only agency we must contact! IN other words they are washing their hands of the products leaving their hapless clients in the lurch!
Most of the innumerable problems with the NEW car were rectified in due course and was given back the vehicle after about 20 days or so with Concorde. The car was returned with something as basic as low brake oil level!
Niggling issues remain with the car- for example a lower suspension rattling, improper closing of one of the doors, Wind noise through defective beadings on the front door etc. But have long ceased thinking about these as issues.
During the first service I mentioned to the Service advisor at Concorde about the Suspension Noise and a strange Tappet type of a noise from the engine. The Service advisor called back to say that the Suspension noise is due to a defective "ARM" which is not in stock and asked me to return the car after a week or so! The Tappet type of noise came back about a week after the first service. Did not send the car back for changing the ARM.
Mentioned these when I left the car with Concorde for the 2nd Service on Monday 2nd May 2011. Was assured these would be taken care of and the car returned tuesday 3rd may 2011. Today is 9th may and there is no sign of the car. Apparently they do not have the parts to get rid of the TAPPET sound and need to get an approval from FIAT for replacement under Warranty. It is expected that the car would be delivered on Friday the 13th May 2011!
I sincerely believe it was my mistake to buy a FIAT product inspite of being warned repeatedly by friends, relatives and well wishers about the treatment FIAT has meted out to them. I writing on this forum to warn other buyers about the insensitive company and dealership(Read TATA Motors) that sells FIAT.
The dealership
However, though I believe the people at Concorde are incompetent, I would be unfair if I did not mention that they went out of the way to find a solution to the problems with the car. I can also say with some authority due to my interaction with the executives at Concorder that they did not get proper back up from FIAT. While on Concorde though, must mention that their show room is not as good as competition and the less said about their cluttered and dirty Workshop the better. It is impossible to contact them on their normal land lines and the only way to get through to them is by contacting their service advisors or executives if you happen to have their phone nos!
