MOSCOW, October 6 - RIA Novosti, Alexei Zakharov. Sales of the world's cheapest car Bajaj Qute started in Russia. The first private customers can order a model from India at a price of 360,000 rubles. About whether it is worth standing in line for a novelty - in the material of RIA Novosti.
Fast sidecar
Russian partner Indian company Bajaj Auto Ltd. announced the start of accepting orders for the most cheap car in the world from private clients. The Qute model (Kyut), which is certified in Russia as a quadricycle (motorized stroller), will cost from 360 thousand rubles. Previously, cars from the first batches were offered to corporate customers, but the model had to be finalized for private buyers, a representative of Bajaj in Russia told RIA Novosti.
Bajaj Qute with rear wheel drive equipped with a single-cylinder gasoline engine with a volume of 0.217 liters and a power of 13 hp. (some motorcycles are more powerful). power unit with a 5-speed gearbox from a motorcycle, it can accelerate a car weighing 399 kg to 70 km per hour. Fuel consumption - at the level of 2-3 liters per 100 kilometers, with a tank capacity of 8 liters. Part of the body parts of the car is made of plastic, it will fit four passengers and up to 44 liters of luggage.
The car can still be ordered through a car dealership in Moscow, but by the end of the year car centers may appear in other cities. "We officially started. We didn't force things. After all basic version equipped with film windows, there was no stove and lock cylinder driver's door. It took several months to develop improvements, and now Qute - with side windows, a lock cylinder and a heater," the company explained.
In the future, Qute will come from India with modifications for the Russian market. The company plans to sell about 500 vehicles in 2016, part of the quadricycles have already arrived to corporative clients. Among them there is a large pizza delivery chain.
Bajaj Auto's main products are motorcycles. Last year in Russia there were 5 centers for the sale of two-wheeled Vehicle, currently there are 25, and next year there are plans to expand to 60 outlets. It is likely that some of them will also supply plastic Qutes.
Expert opinion
"No. This car is not for private use," RIA Novosti answered a question about a possible purchase of a new model. automotive expert Maxim Pastushenko, who spent several days behind the wheel of a Qute on the streets of Moscow.
He believes that the car will fit perfectly into corporate fleets, especially delivery and car sharing services. For himself, for this money, he would buy Lada Granta, Daewoo Matiz(deliveries of the model have been discontinued in Russia, but you can still find cars at dealers) or Ravon R2.
“The car is funny. It’s not even a Zaporozhets. It’s not a car, but a quadricycle, that is, a motorized carriage. And if we compare it with products from Serpukhov, where motorized carriages were previously produced, then everything falls into place,” Pastushenko believes.
Qute can accelerate to 70 km per hour, and in urban conditions this is quite enough. But it is uncomfortable, unpleasant and even unsafe to drive on the highway - you are just superfluous in the stream, the expert notes. "The car roars on maximum speed. There is no soundproofing. Weird landing. So it tends to roll over during sudden changes. Everyone in the city is looking at you. They laugh and give a thumbs up. People come up and take pictures. Even when you're driving sports cars- there is no such attention," Pastushenko described his impressions of driving a quadricycle from India.
Cars in India as an objective reality
The Indian car is neither science fiction nor an oxymoron. The world does not stand still, and the third world is no exception in this respect.
Since the 90s of the last century, Indian cars have firmly entered the life of the large population of the entire Indochina. And if the inhabitants of our Far East have already become closely acquainted with the results of the automobile industry of the Middle Kingdom, then India still remains for us the birthplace of elephants and malaria.
Meanwhile, in India, it is the car, not the elephant, that is the vehicle. True, Indian cars can not yet boast of any radical design, or unearthly feature set, or outstanding quality. However, the leading Indian automaker Tata Engineering and Locomotive Company (TELCO) does not despair and makes every effort to promote its products on the world market.
So, at international shows, the Tata line of cars regularly appears, which, according to the assurances of the developers, should become folk cars first in India and then throughout the region.
The Tata line is a collection of Indica hatchbacks, Indigo sedans and Indigo SW station wagons. Specifications the following: a gasoline engine with a volume of 1.4 liters and a power of 85 Horse power. Same for diesel engines.
Indian cars are not limited to the concept of "passenger car". All the same Tata produces light and heavy trucks. In short, the whole range of services, a wide range, the target audience not limited.
Although the world community does not share such optimistic views. This is largely due to the notorious price-quality ratio. So, after a systematic price reduction due to low demand for products in the UK, an Indian car costs around 20,000 pounds.
Indian cars cannot be called cheap for the Russian market either. Provided that the line of SUVs will be assembled in Russia, the estimated price of an average SUV will be around $16,000.
Such a considerable cost of an Indian car is explained by the original development. Unlike its neighbors, India did not follow the path of unceremonious copying of other people's ideas and decided to honestly pay for them. As a result, the five-seater hatchback Tata Mint alone became an Indian car only by country of origin, because both the French (engine designed by La Moteur Moderne) and Italians (designed by I.De.A) had a hand in its creation.
And so it is with almost every model, which is why the idea of creating a people's Indian car seems, if feasible, then not in this century.
Along with this, it is impossible not to note the creative delights of manufacturers, who now and then present Indian conceptual cars to the public. For example, last time it was the Tata Crossover and the Cliffrider pickup.
Now Reva Electric Car Company, JV Maini Group of Bangalore and AEV LLC of USA have developed an Indian fuel cell car. This prototype operates on a "flexible" platform, which changes in accordance with the size of the hydrogen tank.
The principle of operation is called Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM). This means that electricity is generated by a chemical reaction involving hydrogen fuel and oxygen.
Perhaps the most unpopular in Russia are Indian cars. However, many people know about them. Particularly due to their incredibly low cost. In general, this topic is of some interest, so I would like to talk about it in more detail.
A bit of history
So, before talking about Indian cars, I would like to touch upon their history.
It all started in the 90s. It was then that Indian cars firmly entered the daily life of the population of Indochina. The machines of this production cannot boast of great design, new technical developments, powerful motors and elegant design. But they are economical and cheap - and this is the most important thing for them. But there is one company that is actively trying to promote its models in the global market. And it is known under the name TELCO.
Her most popular model- Tata. More precisely, this is a whole line of cars. The developers themselves assure that these are the machines that are required to become folk models not only in India, but throughout the region.
Characteristics of the Tata line
Now it’s worth talking more about these Indian cars, since their manufacturer is trying to actively promote them. The line consists of sedans, station wagons and hatchbacks. Specifications are not very impressive - one gasoline engine and diesel. The volume of both of them is the same - 1.4 liters. Just like power - only 85 "horses".
There are even Indian trucks. It's hard to imagine, but it's really a fact - Tata decided not to stop at "passenger cars". heavy trucks also went into production.
Of course, the world community does not think as optimistically as the Indians themselves. Everything is simple here - salt in price and quality. At first, cars were brought to the UK. However, they were so unpopular there that the price of the model was reduced to 20 thousand pounds. But even after that, there was not much demand. Yes, even in Russia, no one is eager to buy a new Indian car from Tata. Yes, before the increase in the rate, it cost 250 thousand rubles. This is the same Tata Nano model. But many motorists said that they would rather buy a used foreign car (for example, a Mercedes in the back of a w201 or a Ford from the 90s) than this car. The reason for this is quality. Everyone knows that German manufacturers released really good cars. And they will last as long as they have already left. But what is Tata - no one knows. It is quite possible that the new Indian car will crumble in two years.
Other manufacturers
Maruti is a fairly large Indian car manufacturer. And his cars are quite popular at home. Probably because Indian specialists are closely cooperating with Japanese automotive organizations. By the way, the company itself was organized jointly with Suzuki Motors. It was in 1973 in New Delhi.
Mahindra is another manufacturer. Incidentally, the very first automobile company! It was founded by a politician in the past. He was known as John Mahindra. In general, these are two firms that are more or less known to the rest of the world. Because the first one was founded under the management of the eminent concern, and the second one is the very first in the state.
The smallest car
So, above was mentioned in passing about Tata car Nano. Now I would like to tell you a little more about it. Despite the fact that the design that distinguishes this cheap Indian car was developed by several eminent studios, it did not turn out to be successful. We saved on everything we could.
There is no trunk lid, as the engine is installed in the back of the car. The wheels are too small - you can only move on really ideal roads. The body shape is strange - it is incompatible with these same wheels. The interior is generally minimal. Inside there is only a steering wheel, a handbrake, a transmission lever and seats that can hardly be called comfortable. By the way, the engine capacity is 0.6 liters. Power - and at all 33 (!) horsepower. Yes, the first Volkswagen Beetles, produced in the mid-60s, were distinguished by such “power”.
By the way, the car consumes about 5 liters per 100 km. With such and such a volume of the engine should be at least 2.5-3 liters. So in terms of consumption, the experts lost a little.
Bajaj Qute features
This is another popular Indian car industry. It's compact, that's the first thing. It costs 250 thousand rubles - this is the second. And the third, and most interesting, is Indian Bajaj car classified as a quad bike. And yes, they plan to provide it on the Russian market.
Its engine is 1-cylinder, and the power is only 13.5 horsepower. It is difficult to imagine that Russian roads, where BMWs, Mercedes, Audi, Volkswagens (and other popular cars in our country), whose engines produce several hundred hp, cut through, this Indian car will drive.
What else is worth knowing about the new product?
What else can surprise this car? Indian Qute will not be able to please with comfort - that's for sure. On the small center console you can see the transmission lever, the steering wheel and the motorcycle speedometer are not very comfortable in appearance. The wheels are small, hardly have adjustment, and rear seats- this is a solid sofa, where three are very hard to fit. Two is still possible.
In general, the model is definitely not for Russian connoisseurs who are accustomed to good and quality cars. But anything happens - maybe someday this ATV car will find its buyers. Manufacturers, by the way, have planned to supply 300 copies of these models to our market. In general, it remains to wait for the premiere and the start of sales, if, of course, this happens.
The Russian consumer is almost unfamiliar with the products of the Indian automobile industry. And in rare cases, when the Russian motoring community talks about cars that came off the conveyors of India, this news is most often perceived with a tangible amount of skepticism and irony. But it's really not all that bad. However, about everything - in order.
Features of the Indian car market
It just so happened that the models produced in a given country are a priori perceived in the same vein as an infinite number of faceless Chinese stamps designed and assembled on hastily. But today India is the concentration of huge industrial capacities. Its industry demonstrates one of the highest growth rates in the world, like China.
However, unlike the automobile industry of the Celestial Empire, such a high growth dynamics of the industrial sector did not lead to the appearance in the Indian automotive market many similar brands.
Although for the most part the cars are designed in a general spirit. The main differences between Indian cars are high efficiency, comical compactness, characteristic even cargo models, and in most cases - low quality products.
Local designers do not shun plagiarism methods in the development of their machines, which was especially pronounced in the period from the 1980s to the 2000s.
All small-sized Indian cars until the early 2000s were designed in a conservative spirit. With body outlines and fabric roofs, they were very reminiscent of rickshaws.
Starting from 2003, the automotive industry in this country begins to rebuild in accordance with the guidelines for the European consumer. It is from this moment in Indian cars features of modern European models begin to be traced. Basically, of course, it is the gloss and smoothness of the lines.
Leading brands
The Indian auto industry forms a number of machines of the regional giant manufacturing companies, the main of which are the Mumbai-based Chinkara Motors, Force Motors, Hindustan Motors, Mahindra, Bajaj Auto, and Tata Motors.
The model range of cars of most of these manufacturers, compared with Chinese or Korean stamps, is rather narrow, except for the last one listed.
However, between 2003 and 2012 all of them have occupied their niche in the global car market and have established the production of sufficiently diversified products. As for the type, so for the price and quality.
Therefore, Indian cars should be considered based on several key features. These include price, dimensions, technical indicators, demand, diversity model range. Based on these criteria, the corresponding ratings will be built.
The cheapest and smallest models
It is worth starting with them. The cheapest Indian car is Tata Nano from Tata Motors.
This machine is distinguished by both a low price (within $ 2,500) and miniature dimensions. Among the main advantages of a car, it is worth mentioning only bright design, which was developed with the assistance of Italian designers. Otherwise, even a small price for a car is offset by customs duties, increasing by 2 times.
In India, the model is in great demand due to the economy and maneuverability, which are so valued in urban traffic.
The strength of the machine is minimal, as is its weight (600 kg), but also top speed does not exceed 100 km/h. Vehicle length - 3.1 m, width -1.6 m. Low price The machine is provided with minimization of parts: bolts, seals, luggage partition, mirrors and power steering.
Mahindra Gio is often the preferred car of Indian taxi drivers in countryside. A minimum of frills and bells and whistles - a maximum of open space.
There are no doors or air conditioning in the car, it is used mainly for private transportation or tourist excursions as an alternative to the Indian elephant. The cost is 2800 thousand dollars. The height of the car is 1.6 m, the length is 2.4 m, the width is 1.5 m. And this is with a weight of 700 kg.
Quad bike and three-wheeled "Ant"
Another Indian car that can be purchased not only in its homeland, but also in the CIS countries is Bajaj Cute from Bajaj Auto.
It's worth saying that given manufacturer initially specialized only in the production of motorcycles, and this was reflected in the release of their first budget car Bajaj Cute, weighing only 400 kg, speeds up to 70 km / h and is an ATV in a light car body.
The price rarely exceeds 320 thousand rubles. As befits an ATV in a car body, the product does not have much interior space, but it is quite suitable for trips around the farmland. In general, the Indian car Bajaj is more like a golf cart.
Another one cheap car- three-wheeled Force Minidor, production of which ceased in 2009. From 1996 to 2009, a huge number of this Indian version of Ant was released. Its price ranges from 950-1300 dollars depending on the year of issue. The model is different heavy load capacity and poor cornering stability. The weight of the Minidor is so small that 2 adults can easily lift it.
Best Large Vehicles
Now it is worth paying attention to them. Leading supplier of Indian cars large class Force Motors, Mahindra, Tata Motors perform.
Force Motors are largest producer trucks And passenger minibuses. Two of their most popular products: Tempo Excel Commuter - powerful seven-meter buses with seats from 18 to 30. Used in enterprises and for scheduled passenger traffic. The second is Citiline School Bus. This is a large school bus with a capacity of 24 people from the same manufacturer.
Mahindra Maxximo - small but lifting vehicle, demanded by Indian construction companies. The robust structure of the load compartment and the configuration of the wheels, combined with a reliable undercarriage, makes it indispensable for Indian farmers and builders.
Tata Magic is a small van with a quirky design that pleasantly surprises with its functionality. It has only three doors, but the build quality of the car is quite high for the Indian car industry. For its unusual body shape, this Indian car, the photo of which is presented above, was called the "Wild Indian Boar". The main percentage of buyers of the model are bakers and owners of small grocery stores, since the cargo compartment of the machine can be quickly and easily equipped with shelves for products.
Crossovers
In India, SUVs and SUVs are very popular. Mahindra Bolero, for example, has gained a reputation as the Indian "Jeep". Moreover, both due to good cross-country ability, and on the basis of external similarities. All-wheel drive crossover equipped with seats for 7 people, assembled using the technology of full automatic assembly in accordance with European standards, and is quite a decent, comfortable car, designed for some foreign markets.
In the exterior of the Tata Safari, the image of the English Land Rover is clearly visible, the mesh radiator grille, which the developers give out their own, is especially striking. This SUV is distinguished from other crossovers by the presence of a three-liter turbodiesel engine at 150 horsepower, ABS system and quality mechanical transmission. In Russia, an Indian car can be purchased for 950 thousand rubles (basic equipment).
The Scorpio is another creation from Mahindra. The car is similar in characteristics to the Safari model. It has a diesel engine, is represented by versions of automatic and manual gearboxes. Scorpio has the widest variety of engine modifications among all Indian crossovers. This model is also popular in the Russian market. The price of a car in Russia is from 850 to 950 thousand rubles.
Tata Sumo Grande - next seven-seater crossover from Tata. The first thing that catches your eye when you get acquainted with the car is the interior, which is atypically luxurious for Indian cars. Impressive upholstery made of quality leather, neatly trimmed panels and torpedo, full uniformity of textures. A properly working air conditioner, power windows and mirror adjustments are nice little things that make the car stand out from other Indian crossovers.
Top Selling Models
The leader in sales among Indian cars in 2016 is Tata Indica - one of the most interesting hatchbacks (photo above). Functional small Indian car. In 2016, the car was sold in the amount of 48 thousand units worldwide.
Mahindra Bolero sold 100,214 copies in 2016.
Tata Vista was slightly behind Indica and posted a sales figure of 42,163 units.
Another sales leader from India is Mahindra Scorpio, which has become a strong competitor even to mass Chinese SUVs. The indicator for 2016 is 160 thousand cars sold.
The most expensive models
Despite the fact that India in the auto industry is based mainly on budget developments, they have some cars that go beyond the usual prices.
Tata Aria is one of the most luxurious Indian crossovers equipped with climate control system, airbags, navigator, ABS, turbocharged diesel engine and leather upholstery. Price - 970 thousand rubles.
Mahindra Verito is another car whose characteristics more or less bring it closer to international automotive standards. 5 airbags, relatively decent electronics and pleasant salon. Price - from 870 to 920 thousand rubles.
The remaining positions are assigned to Tata Sumo Grande, Tata Safari, Mahindra Bolero (in the range of 800-950 thousand).
About competition
In conclusion, I would like to note that the largest Indian automakers are actively acquiring shares of Korean and Chinese manufacturers operating in India.
As a result, SsangYoung and Daewoo models produced in India are positioned as products of local manufacturers. Mahindra, for example, holds an 80% stake in SsangYoung and a 73% stake in Daewoo, which allows them to build convenient commercial policies and control foreign competition.
Hello everyone, I bring to your attention a photo report about a trip to India, which consists of 17 parts.
Arriving in India, you find yourself in a country called "TATA".
"TATA" offers any services and goods: from cars to tea. The company's turnover is 83.3 billion dollars a year.
2. There are a lot of cars in India and they are all different. The traffic is terrible, but somehow they manage with a small number of accidents. It is customary to honk for any reason, be it overtaking or turning, you can honk just like that.
3. It is customary to add additional words to the names of cars. Not just hyundai, but alcon hyundai.
4. Not just suzuki, but maruti suzuki. This brand was formed by buying up controlling shares of Suzuki Indian car company Maruti Udyog.
5. Not just a mazda, but a swaraj mazda. Same story as with maruti suzuki.
6. And this is Mahindra. The company is engaged not only in the automotive industry, but also in agricultural equipment, financial services, trade, logistics, automotive components and spare parts, as, in other matters, many companies in India.
7. The next brand is called Eicher. Purely Indian manufacturer trucks, buses and agricultural machinery. Produces on its own chassis urban, intercity and school buses different classes.
8. In India, just stunning truckers.
9. As a rule, they are all produced by TATA.
10. They are used in all areas of Indian life. IN this case, transportation of cotton.
11. The embellishment of these machines knows no bounds. All this is done by hand, in special tuning workshops.
12. Companies write their names on the roofs of trucks.
13. Decorations are also all different and are symbolic. Some draw eyes and insert beautiful wooden doors instead of ugly steel ones.
14. Behind it will certainly be written "Horn, ok, please", this can be interpreted as Horn - hoot if you are going to overtake from this side, OK - you can drive from behind (not a problem), and Please - overtake to your health; in India Left side traffic. There is also a warning sign "Stop" on the mudguard, which reminds you that it is not recommended to overtake from this side, and reflectors of red and green colors also testify to this.
15. But there are also white crows. Such a truck on the road is more noticeable than a painted one.
16. There are still such trucks, unfortunately I don’t know the brand. The inscription on windshield"LAXMI" means that the driver is a devotee of the goddess of abundance, prosperity, wealth, good luck and happiness. She is the embodiment of grace, beauty and charm. It is believed that its adherents will be protected from all kinds of misfortune and poverty.
17. People go to work in close quarters.
18. Who complained about our minibuses there?
19. Special equipment also manufactured by TATA.
20. Tourist police jeep.
21. And a police van.
22. Water carrier.
23. School bus.
24. One more. Went to Cambridge.
25. Normal scheduled bus. Riding in such a bus delivers a lot of emotions, it is a piece of iron stuffed with people, in which passengers sing songs, while he (the bus) performs maneuvers known only to Indian drivers. I recommend everyone to ride during rush hour.
26. Also, along with ordinary buses, there are so-called slipbuses. This regular bus but for long distance travel. Instead of uncomfortable seats, it has comfortable double beds in two tiers. There are as many seats as in a regular bus.
27. Typical bus station.
28. India impresses with its construction equipment.
29. The counterweight hangs on the cab.
30. A very strange tap.
31. Safety devices and load limiters are not used, but there are amulets.
32. They are hung on everything that moves. Usually the amulet consists of a lemon or lime with a handful of chili.
33. But sometimes there are other constructions of vegetation.
34. However, a drawing will do.
35. Sometimes there is a sign in the form of a rainbow triangle on the sides. I don't know its meaning.
36. Technical inspection coupon.
37. As in all of Asia, tuk-tuks are common in India. They are also decorated.
38. Different shapes and spaciousness.
39. These are not always passenger, there are also cargo ones.
40. The condition of some leaves much to be desired.
41. Mopeds are also widespread.
42. Usually two people ride them.
43. There are also cargo mopeds.
44. Numbers of cars and, sometimes, motorcycles are duplicated on board. From this number it follows that they are from the state of Goa, if it is written "KA" means the state of Karnataka - by the first and last letter of the state name.
45. Marking is applied to everything adjacent to the road, trees and rocks are marked.
46. Gas stations most often without sheds, in the open.
47. Often a curb separates the road. Shields are installed on it, which prevent the driver from being blinded by the headlights of oncoming cars, as a rule, Indians drive with high beams.
48. Toll point, most of the roads in Maharashtra are tolled. Apparently, thanks to this, the roads in India are of very good quality.
49. Road sign with the logo of the toll booth.
50. A sign warning of a possible collision. Epic rumpled.
51. Indians are very fond of installing speed bumps. They are single-humped, double-humped, three-humped and even five-humped.
52. Detailed sign "Beware of children."
53. No less colorful signs of a pedestrian crossing.
54. Sometimes burnt cars can be seen on the side of the road.
55. There are also abandoned ones.
56. The car apparently remained from the British.
57. The same Maruti Udyog.
