Jul 28, 2015 07:37 PM
4188 Views
(Updated Aug 02, 2015 09:44 AM)
Being an industrial grade engineer since about 15 years, and owning three Hyundai cars, I walked in to check out the new Creta. No salesperson at Panchvati Hyundai, Nasik bothered to approach me for about fifteen minutes, after requesting to see a salesperson still no one came.
I started a technical check of the vehicle under the bonnet. Vehicle air intake was front facing at 3 feet above the ground which won't help getting into deep water. I thumped the plastic body parts and metal body parts and doors to see the build quality. Seemed sturdy.
The chassis below didn't look like it could take much or any off-roading, maybe it can withstand the off-road kind of terrain driving in Bombay and I'd never risk my life off-road with the weak chassis they've used.
At this point one of the female employees started correcting me in front of a customer and said it's not the right thing to do to thump the parts of the car. When I tried interrupting her banter to explain that I am a senior mechanical engineer she got more infuriated with me and started a street style altercation with me. She shouted to me that she has an MBA! She went on and on despite the advise from one of her colleagues. I lost my temper and shouted at her to stop yelling at me. In a few moments two male salesmen accosted me and began shouting at me at the top of their lungs and telling me how much I don't know about cars. I started to fear for my safety.
In seconds one other male employee held my shoulders and pulled me backwards. The two yelling males were about to assault me in the presence of the customers when I blurted out'You guys are goons or something, I should leave'. Next thing I was suddenly in an isolated part of the store floor.
The horrific loud verbal assault on me by the employees continued in the presence of the customers while I fumbled all alone for my phone to call the Hyundai head office but it was closed already. I did receive telephonic advice from surprised company top brass to stay low and calm in the presence of the ill mannered, ill informed sales staff.
Test drive:
SX(O) model:
During the test drive I was asked not to test the suspension and not to test the brakes or the ABS or anything technical. I should drive slow on a good clean road only for a maximum of 1.5 kms.
I asked the senior level saleswoman during the test drive if the car had a turbocharger and she didn't know, she also had no idea about the traction control or most of the buttons in the vehicle.
The vehicle felt not top light and not too heavy for a city slicker. Since I wasn't allowed to nor shown or explained any features of the vehicle I conclude it is comparable to the verna crdi.
As I left the store, the employees in question were still leering at me in a threatening manner. How times change at Hyundai India!
Hyundai spokesperson from Pune said that demo vehicles are to be driven and treated with care and not touched much! Says a lot about the strength of the so called "Perfect SUV"! He also seemed to support the behaviour at the showroom.
Anyway bottom line is the vehicle looks formidable and feels pretty suv'ish The Vehicle has been customised and downgraded for the Indian as is usual policy across car makers. Basically it's a fools car. Only the top end version has SUV features and is some sort of suv. People going in for all other versions are buying a fluidic verna chassis with a bulky body mounted on top. The power steering has been tweeked to make it feel like the vehicle is not a fluidic verna. The suspension will take the punishment of the Bombay roads but the chassis will not withstand going off-road. The fact that Hyundai is marketing the lower end versions as an suv is a huge a marketing gimmick in itself since it's just a car with no suv features; and the fact that Indians are cheating other Indians in to buying a Korean make is just weak patriotism. I can't understand what all the reviews online are raving about a car that's being marketed as an suv with some of the cheapest interiors on earth at 15 lakhs!, it's like the story about the emperors' new clothing.
I'm hoping that after reading this review Hyundai changes the way their employees and sales staff think and behave and stop calling a car an suv.
