Book a TATA Nano Online

After listening to reports about the recent rush on the websites of TATA motors and TATA Nano, I was curious to check them.
http://tatanano.inservices.tatamotors.com

The website looks simple with loads of features. Along with all the details about the vehicle, picture gallery, the variants, the price list, booking, press release, message from their Chairman, even communities like forums/blogs and even popular networking sites like Orkut and Facebook.

Some of the features of Nano are as follows -
• Mileage: 23.6 kmpl as per ARAI
• Exceeds Indian Safety Standards
• Spacious Interiors
• Top Speed : 195 kmph
• Smallest turning radius : 4m
• High Ground Clearance : 180mm
• High Gradability : 30 %
• Power Windows
• Central Locking
• Fog Lamps
• 3 variants - Nano, Nano CX (AC with Heater) and Nano LX (AC with Heater)
• 6 colour variants
Some basic feature like Tubeless Types and Fog lights are not even available in Marutis and Santros

But the best part is that, it has even come up with online booking, which I don’t think we have had in Indian auto industry. Day by day, we see a huge rise in number of internet users and buyers on net, so online booking facility of Nano is really a good move. All credits to the TATAs.

Apart from booking your Nano online, you can also "build" it on the company website, which means that you can select the colour, decals, wheels, fog lamps, seat covers, and dashboard. Along with this, there are features like free downloads, contests, and so on. Talking about downloads, Tata Nano lovers can download wallpapers of the car. These pictures include images of the Tata Nano from the Geneva Motor Show, The Who's Who of India and the World Take a Look at the Tata Nano, The Tata Nano Launch Event at the Delhi Auto Expo, and the Standard and the Luxury versions of the car along with its interiors. One can view YouTube-powered videos of the car too.
As reported by The Economic Times, Tata Motors will sell the Nano not just through Tata car dealerships across the country, but also through retail outlets like Westside and Croma, both of which belong to the Tata Group.

Thus, the Tata Nano has a strong online presence and its novel website is just adding to it. Though I checked the site to look for reasons for it to crash soon after the commercial launch, it found it pretty fast and user friendly. But then now after looking at this feature, I am more anxious to see how it would handle traffic once the booking starts.

Hyundai Assurance - A Certainty in Uncertain Times

You must be aware that two of biggest auto makers in US were brought to the brink of bankruptcy last year, as auto sales collapsed amid a credit crunch and widening recession.
A recent forecast says that total auto sales will be between 10 million and 11 million units this year, which would be the industry's worst performance since World War II after adjusting for population growth.
GM was offered a loan package worth 13.4 billion dollars in December, but is expected to ask for billions more in aid in order to stave off bankruptcy.
Last week GM said it would cut 10,000 white-collar jobs worldwide this year, reducing its headcount to about 63,000. There were even reports that it would lay off 47,000 workers all over the world (excludes India thou' )and even shut down a number of factories at various places.
Chrysler was presented a loan package of four billion dollars, but it has said it hopes to secure an additional three billion in loans.
Now while everyone is looking upto President Barack Obama and his task force to steer restructuring of the economic condition and bailout the auto industry, here is an interesting commercial from Hyundai Motors.

"In times like these, buying a new car is a big commitment for most people..
So what about the company selling it to you? How committed are they?

Introducing the Hyundai Assurance.
Now finance or lease a new Hyundai; if you lose you income next year, return it to us with no impact on your credit..

A car company that stands behinds its customers
May be commitment is not so scary after all."

Overview:
Hyundai is the first automaker in the US to offer a vehicle return program that allows you to walk away from your loan or lease without having to worry about the negative equity. It lets you return your vehicle in case of certain live-altering circumstances. That's the Hyundai Assurance.

Program details:
Availability on all new Hyundai vehicles.
Availability to everyone regardless of age, health, or employment history
12 months complimentary on every new Hyundai vehicle financed or leased.
Covers up to $7,500 in negative equity

Coverage in case of:
Involuntary unemployment
Physical disability
Loss of drivers' license due to medical impairment
International employment transfer
Self-employed personal bankruptcy
Accidental death

We've got your back - isn't that a nice change?

Tara Rum Pum

Watching a movie with friends in a hostel room (pirated one of course) is never a regret. This is the only reason why I should not complain too much about 'Tara Rum Pum'. The movie was 'inspired' by a few hol movies (but this was not too much of a problem, had they done it well). Before I begin with the onslaught let me remind you that it was liked by most indian 'junta' and girls are already drooling over the hunk that Saif has become lately. It will be one of the biggest hits of this year and would probably bag a few awards as well !!! There were a number of sloppy scenes in the movie where least attention was paid to the left side of the brain of the audience.
When RV (that's Saif's name in the movie) tries to woo Shona (this is wat RV calls Rani, sorry forgot the name) he makes a pattern of ILU on the ground. The amazing thing about it is that his car jumps in between the letters to make it picture perfect.
Now, this RV is supposed to be a pit guy (changing tyres n stuff) and when he becomes a racing driver he knows nothing at all about the finer aspects of the game which incidently are taught by a taxi driver!
When RV's son falls ill and speed is needed to reach him to the hospital RV chooses not to drive for reasons best known to the director!!!
The car sponsors, his suit, his other gears, the car itself and everyother thing that you would associate with a racing team remains the same for him when he races for a totally different team !!!
There are many more of these which I hope would be pointed out by the visitors of my blog.
But, all said and written, this movie is a must watch if you happen to go out with a girl. Your girlfriend will love it (and love 'him' which is even more distressing). Soon enough you will see a lot of 'TaraRumPum Accessories' on the streets with small kids bugging their parent to buy them. May GOD be with you !!!