Carazoo Indian Car Blog

Volkswagen Wants to Grasp Indian Market

2008-07-24T10:12:00.002+05:30

Volkswagen made a later entry in India. At this period of time, Indian car industry is affected with high inflation and rising loan interest. Volkswagen wonders whether the company will be successful in establishing a niche in the Indian market.

After the launch of Volkswagen Jetta, the company plans a slew of launches in order to strengthen its presence in the country.

The iconic car, the Beetle, belongs to the passenger car segment is coming soon in the market. The car will be imported as completely built unit.

Driven by the positive impact of Beetle on other cars, Volkswagen takes the launch as a brand building exercise. After Beetle, the company is planning to launch a compact car based on the Polo platform in both hatchbacks and sedan variants.

Volkswagen is also in the process to extend its embankment on major dealership across the country. The company is receiving good response for Volkswagen Passat and the newly launched Jetta. In turn, the company has similar expectations from the proposed car launch.

Will Volkswagen be successful in strengthening its presence in the Indian car market?

Tata Join Hands with Fiat to Sell Nano

2008-07-24T10:08:00.001+05:30

Tata Motors Ltd. has join hands with Italy’s Fiat SpA to sell its ultra-low cost car the Nano overseas.

Fiat has a strong presence in international market and that’s the reason why Tata Motors want Fiat to sell its dream car. Ratan Tata has a keen desire to spread the reach of his new car across the globe. This desire attracts him towards Fiat Motors so that the Nano is well marketed in various countries other than India.

Fiat has signed a joint venture with Tata to make and distribute Tata car, engines and commercial units overseas.

Tata has high hopes from this joint venture. The sluggish car sales have depressed Ratan Tata at the time when he is just about to roll out his dream car. Even with the challenges offered by high inflation, interest rates and to be increased road tax, Tata is expecting from the proposed car, the Nano, to bring out a good market for the company in India as well as overseas.

Hope the join venture goes in favour of the Nano and further aid to boost up the sales.

BMW’s 5 Series Beats Mercedes E class

2008-07-24T09:52:00.001+05:30

It is really shocking to know that a successful car like Mercedes E Class is under threat after the launch of a comparative BMW 5 series.

E class series from Mercedes-Benz is the car that comes to mind most vibrantly, a car that has established a niche in the luxury car segment. Many of the premium car owners own this car because of the embodied luxuries, comfort and classy design. It is a car that adds status to life and now it has come under threat. Is this really true or just a rumour?

The E Class cars have a good sales report in the Indian car market. The latest versions of this car are even more interesting and appealing as they are personified with Bi-Xenon headlamps in the exterior coupled with a 3-way Memory package.

Inspite of having a good reputation in the market, BMW's highly potent 5-series beats Mercedes E Class. The 5 series is a car loaded with dynamic design, elegant style, enhanced comfort and standard safety features. Infact, these are the cornerstones upon which the car enjoys the bliss of success. BMW’s car gives a sheer driving pleasure.

Don’t you think that E Class also gives awesome driving experience? If features and comfort level of both the cars are similar, then why there is such a tough competition? Why is Mercedes-Benz under threat?

Car Manufacturers Push Sales

2008-07-24T09:51:00.000+05:30

Car manufacturers are expecting a revision in cash reserve ratio that would again leap the interest on car loan offered by private banks and other financial institutions. The issue may get cleared after the Reserve Bank of India reviews its monetary policy at the end of this month.

With these expectations, car manufacturers are pushing car sales. At present, the car loan interest rate is 15% that gives a monthly installment of Rs 2,350 per lakh. If by this month end, the interest rate increases, then the loan interest will nearly touch 16% resulting in a monthly installment of nearly Rs 2,395 per lakh for the same tenure.

In order to cope up with the expected rise in interest rates, car manufacturers have put in their heads and hearts to wrap up the deal, remold marketing strategies, and compel waning customers.

They are offering attractive discounts and schemes but no freebies to lure customers. They are simply trying to strengthen their internal channels and extend sales with existing customers.

Don’t Wait Long to Upgrade

2008-07-23T17:59:00.001+05:30

Driven by the news of increasing road tax, car manufacturers are luring customers with heavy discounts and offers. The government has announced a 2% increase of life time motor vehicle road-tax by the end of this month. The increased road tax is proposed to be effective from 1st August.

Just a month ago, during high inflation, Hyundai Motors came up with the exchange and upgrade offer and now comes Maruti Suzuki.

Maruti has announced an exchange and upgrade offer in response to the increase in road tax. Maruti is offering an exchange bonus of Rs 25,000 on upgrading any Maruti car to SX4. This is one of the recent cars by Maruti that has attracted a massive number of people with its muscular looks and classic European style. The looks and style holds true for the SX4 caption “Men are Back”.

Maruti SX4 is the biggest and most spacious car in the segment with the highest ground clearance and steering mounted controls. It is a car that everyone will love to own.

So, why wait for the car to get costlier? Just rush into a Maruti Showroom and request for the exchange offer?

Don’t you think this is a good deal?

Hidden Concept behind Concept Cars

2008-07-23T17:28:00.003+05:30

Concept cars are the fruits of innovative imaginations. When you let your imaginations run wild, you can come up with outlandish results.

Concept cars also follow the same rule of letting your imaginations run wild. This gives a good opportunity to car designers to show their exclusive, strange and innovative car designs. These cars are notorious and are rarely seen on roads. The hidden concept comprises of dreams, future vision and prototypes. These are mainly displayed at Auto Shows to get a viewpoint of the consumers.

Display of such kind of cars helps the car designers and car manufacturers to get consumer’s perspective about the car design. If you explore the global car industry, you’ll find a number of concept cars that are holding dreamy visions about the automotive future. Whether you talk about the BMW shape-shifting car covered with fabric or about the Toyota i-Real concept, they are just amazing and worth appreciation.

Unfortunately, there are no such concept cars in India. It’s difficult to answer why. Are we not creative? Don’t we have the skills to produce something that is extra-ordinary? Why not give a try?

Even you can open the veil of imaginations and produce a concept car that is eccentric, unusual and appealing.

Drive will Soon Become Costlier

2008-07-23T17:11:00.001+05:30

The news is all around that car drive will soon become costlier by the end of this month. The joy of rising and driving your dream car will now pinch your pocket as well as your heart.

The lifetime Motor Vehicle (MV) tax has increased by 2%. This means another addition in the car costs. Cars will really become costlier and make a hole in your pockets. If you really don’t want to repent afterwards, then go ahead and buy a car now.

Two-wheelers owners can relax because they have been spared. The taxes are increased only for cars and other automotives. After a rise of 2%, the tax on cars pricing below 5 lakh have increased from 10 to 12%, for vehicles between the price tag of Rs 5 lakh and Rs 10 lakh have increased from 11% to 13% and tax for those costing more than Rs 10 lakh is increased by 14% to 16%.

Some of your favorite cars will really become costly. After the increase in road tax, the ex-showroom price of Maruti Alto will be around Rs 2, 83,699; Maruti Swift will be priced around Rs 4, 42,201; Maruti SX4 around Rs 6, 67,054; Hyundai Santro around Rs 3, 49, 658 and Honda City will be priced at Rs 11, 06,000.

This move is expected to earn revenue of around Rs 100 crore per annum for the government, so a good profit for the government but what about the car buyers who will again move back from their car purchase.

The government desires to use this earned revenue for developing the infrastructure and roadways of the country. The cause is wise but is it good to pass the burden on car buyers?

Volkswagen Launches Jetta

2008-07-23T15:58:00.002+05:30

Volkswagen launches its most desired car Jetta in India. The car holds true for the slogan, Volkswagen has used for Jetta, “The people want safety standards to be standard”.

Jetta is a car equipped with all standard and advanced safety features. The car is priced between Rs 12.97 - 16.67 lakh. The launch of the new car was accompanied by a glittering celebration.

The Jetta will be a tough competitor in the lower D segment. The car is expected to be a great competitor for Skoda Laura and Skoda Octavia. Jetta is styled with elegance and loaded with heart rendering interiors including Vienna leather upholstery, 2-zone electronic climate control, 6-CD changer, electric lumbar adjust.

Jetta is available both in petrol and diesel version with 1.6L petrol and 1.9 L diesel engines, respectively. The three variants available are Magna, Sports and Asta that are priced between Rs 12.97 and Rs 14.22 lakh. The standard safety features loaded in Jetta are 8 airbags, ABS (Anti-lock brake system) and ESP that enhances the safety of its occupants.

The launch of Jetta is expected to be followed by a range of compact cars, hatchbacks and commercial vehicles in India.

Audi’s New Sport Car to Arrive Soon

2008-07-23T15:53:00.001+05:30

All sports car enthusiast! Be ready to quench your thirst for race cars with Audi’s new R8 model. The German luxury car manufacturer is all set to launch its sporty R8 model in India by autumn this year.

This exclusive model combines incomparable high performance, unique design and include features for day-to-day drivability. The car comes with 420 hp of its 4.2 V8-FSI engine and has aluminum frame body. It just matches up with its body shape and provides more varieties of choices to customize interiors according to the customer’s druther. Wow! It’s a cool option.

India has been a significant market for Audi and there is a marvelous interest for the Audi by the Indian car buyers. First customer pre-orders are already placed at Audi dealerships in India.

The car has already won several awards in Germany and Europe along with a double triumph at the 2008 World Car of the year awards like “World Performance Car” and the `World Car Design of the Year’.

Do you think the car will be to make a similar impression in India? Well, we have to wait till its roll out for Indian roads.

WagonR Replaces Black-n-Yellow Taxis

2008-07-22T18:49:00.001+05:30

WagonR will soon be hailing in place of black-n-yellow taxis. The old-aged black and yellow cabs that vroom past the Mumbai roads may soon become a history. Mumbai cab owners are in process of signing an agreement with Maruti Udyog Limited to support the replacement of taxi cabs with Maruti Wagon-R.

Cab owners are marching ahead with the shifting trend and demand of the commuters. The main idea behind the replacement is that the Wagon-R cabs are financially viable for both the cab owners and average Mumbaikars. It is easy and feasible to run an air-conditioned Wagon-R at the existing taxi price of Rs 13.

The government is also putting forward the desired help and supporting the cause of upgrading the Mumbai taxis. According to the government Mumbai is a hub of stock market and is well defined as a ‘business world of India’. Being such a world class city, it is required to have the best infrastructure including the best taxis or cabs running on roads.

Tata Plans to Roll High-End Cars

2008-07-22T18:45:00.002+05:30

After enlightening the world’s cheapest and smallest car, Tata Motors plans to roll out luxurious and expensive cars. Tata is now targeting the other extreme of the car segment and introduce new upmarket cars in the industry.

Tata has taken over the Jaguar & Land Rover and plans to roll out luxury car models under this venture. The Nano is expected to make its debut in India by the end of this year with a price tag of Rs 1 lakh, whereas the venture plans to design and manufacture luxury cars ranging somewhere between, Rs 80-85 lakh, a price at which car buyers can buy around 85 Nanos.

With such a high price swing from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 85 lakh, do you think that consumers will go for it? Tata has created its own image of producing the world’s cheapest car and now shifting towards high-end segment.

This step towards producing high-end cars is a way to boost up the market for Jaguar & Land Rover and establish the name of Tata as a producer of portfolio of cars in all segments.

Here Comes the Fiat 500

2008-07-22T15:52:00.004+05:30

Wake up car lovers! It’s not the time to dream but to open your eyes and visualize your dream into a reality. Yes, the much awaited Fiat 500 has made its debut in India.

Fifty years down the line, Fiat 500 had lost its significance on Indian roads. Today, the car has made a comeback with advanced and innovative features. The car has travelled a long way from 19th century industrialization to 20th century globalization. Remember those old days when Ambassador and Padmini were the only cars on Indian roads. With the entry of new and luxury cars, these cars were pushed out of the way. Fifty years back, Fiat 500 had no alternative than to move back but today the car shows its actual worth. The car drove back and integrated the desires and demands of the current generation in its revamped model to make a comeback.

With the revamped version, Fiat offers better performance, effectiveness and fuel efficiency to all its customers. The car has made its debut in India with two trims, Lounge and Sport. Both the variants are equipped with 1.3L multijet engine compliant to Euro 5 emission norms. The car also has 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating. The only difference between the two variants is the sporty appearance given to all features of the Sport Fiat 500.

For Fiat, all its customers and buyers are unique and important. Fiat also offers a provision of customization to ensure exclusivity for their customers. The car is available in an assortment of unique colours and also has the exclusive in-car communication system, known as the “Blue & Me”.

With the launch of Fiat 500, the venture smiles at the future because the company is sure to win the competition and re-establish a strong niche in the Indian car market.

Priced at around Rs 15 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), this new car is first to be sold in six cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chandigarh and Pune to lure the super-affluent class.

Cervo to Beat Nano

2008-07-21T10:49:00.000+05:30

The current car industry in India is revolving around cheap and fuel efficient cars. The main reason is increasing road traffic. With an increase in the number of cars on Indian roads, drivers of luxury cars are spending longer hours on road to reach their destination compared to small cars. Also, larger cars require comfortable parking space but with increasing number of cars, the parking space is decreasing.

Driven by these factors and by the production of Nano, Maruti also plans to come out with its small and cheap car, Cervo. When Tata is almost ready to roll out the world’s cheapest car in India, Maruti Udyog Limited announces the launch of Cervo priced within the 1 Lakh price bracket. Maruti also plans to roll out a revamped Maruti 800 with a more contemporary look. Both these Maruti cars are proposed to roll out as tough competition against Ratan Tata’s dream car.

Cervo is a mini car recently launched in Japan with an engine of 660cc offering 54 bhp. The car is compliant to Japan’s 4-star emission standards. The same car is proposed to launch in India by the end of this year with certain radical changes to comply with Indian conditions. In comparison to the Cevro, the Nano is expected to offer 30 bhp with a 700 cc petrol engine. In terms of fuel efficiency, Suzuki cars have always been the most fuel efficient cars in their respective segments.

So, what will it be – Cervo or Nano?

Battle between Maruti and Tata is on the Cards

2008-07-21T10:38:00.003+05:30

The production of Tata Nano has already faced many obstacles to reach the final production stage. One more challenge approached the Nano when Maruti Suzuki organized a rural car fest in the Singur, Nano’s national production base.

Organizing a car fair just before the launch of the Nano will definitely take both the car makers on an imminent battle. The primary objective of the car fair held by Maruti was to showcase a vast portfolio of Maruti cars and shell out good deals to lure customers.

Through the fair, Maruti also hoped to tap into semi-urban and rural areas where the car sales are slow. It was a three day fair with a special finance section to explain car financing and other deals to prospective buyers. The fair was a big success with almost 20 cars sold out on the first day.

Was this an attempt to announce deals, discounts and offers? Or was this a call for battle with the Tata?

Tata Motors Tweaks Nano Delivery

2008-07-21T10:17:00.001+05:30

Prospective customers of Tata Motors Nano have shifted their interest from September Nano to 2009 Nano. By this we mean that all those customers who were eagerly waiting for the launch of the Nano are now planning to wait another few months to buy Nano variants.

Even though the first version of the Nano has not yet launched, Tata Motors has made an announcement to launch better versions of the Nano in early 2009. The company themselves spread the speculations that the proposed versions will be better in terms of comfort, performance and fuel efficiency.

The Nano was mainly targeted towards first time buyers who were not disposed to buying high-cost, but if the company plans to roll out better cars in the same price segment then the target of buyers’ increases. A first time car buyer who has waited so long to buy a car will willingly wait a few extra months to buy the best car falling within his/her price range.

With this shift in interest, the company is planning to space the launch with less deliveries in October 2008 and more in January 2009. According to the company, this will help them balance the car sales better.

Reclassification of Passenger Cars

2008-07-21T10:08:00.000+05:30

The long-awaited reclassification of passenger cars has brought in a great deal of confusion between the car makers and the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM).

Car makers are continually pushing for a better classification in terms of car length, engine displacement and horsepower but SIAM has only considered car length. SIAM reclassified car models on the basis of lengths.

Car makers are outraged because they feel that if the classification criteria for segmentation changes, it will directly affect the car market shares. This is mainly because if cars are classified based on length, Maruti 800 will lead the segment. Because, if reclassification is done on the basis of car length then Maruti 800 will be the only car to fall under the first segment that classifies cars of up to 3.4-metre as A1. This will definitely affect the market share positions.

Bolero Gets CNG Version

2008-07-18T21:29:00.003+05:30

All the car manufacturers are bitten by the high fuel costs. They are racing to get the most effective engines to resolve the fuel issues and high level of emissions.

Mahindra & Mahindra is known to produce the topmost utility vehicles and recently the company has launched its leading and popular Bolero with CNG.

CNG (Compressed natural gas) normally have a low pick up and comparatively poor performance. Even though Mahindra had this thought in mind, it still launched this big utility vehicle with CNG version. By introducing CNG to Bolero, Mahindra is simply trying to get well around high fuel costs. It is believed to be the first CNG variant in the large utility vehicles.

CNG is considered to be the cheapest fuel available in the country. Government is also supporting the shift towards CNG as it will save the natural resources and also reduce pollution.

Will CNG Bolero be as successful as the original Bolero? Bolero is a popular car but some doubts are raised for the popularity of CNG variant. Currently, the numbers of CNG filling stations are limited. But once the number of CNG filling stations is increased in the country, the car is sure to get popularity.

Beat the Fuel Price with an Electric Car

2008-07-18T21:11:00.000+05:30

The best way to beat the rising costs of conventional fuel is to replace your petrol/diesel car with an electric car.

Reading the headlines about the soaring fuel prices, Chetan kumar Maini must have given a self-satisfied smile. Chetan kumar Maini is the one who introduced the first plug-in electric car, Reva Maini, to India.
The tremendous increase in prices has established a superior place for Reva in the industry. The car runs well on road and with a charging battery. It is a small and appealing car, good enough and comfortable for seating two people.

The car was first launched in Bangalore and thereafter it rolled out to Delhi roads. The car manufacturers had faced a challenging period when the Government of Delhi asked Maini to introduce his electric car to New Delhi.

The rising cost had shaken the State government and they offered all financial and moral support required for the launch of Reva in Delhi.

This was a good initiative taken by the State Government to beat the fuel prices and reduce emissions. Now, it’s time for us to take an initiative to conserve the natural resource, reduce pollution and win the battle.

One More Hybrid Car for Indian Roads

2008-07-18T20:48:00.002+05:30

Hybrid cars are in! The German luxury car maker, BMW has announced its plan to introduce the hybrid cars in India by next two years. Though, currently only one hybrid car (Honda Civic) is ruling the Indian roads, the car is expected to get its siblings very soon.

The hybrid car from BMW will also make its international debut at the same time. The company’s sale target has been raised even in this course of inflation. The increasing sale target during this tough time is really appreciated. The reason is very simple! BMW produces luxury cars that are exclusively designed and manufactured for the premium customers, who are not at all affected by the increasing fuel price or interest rate. Moreover, they don’t have to depend on car loans for the payment.

With such an impression of the BMW cars, we are sure that the upcoming hybrids will also create a benchmark in India as well as global car industry.

Changing Phase of the Indian Automotive Industry

2008-07-18T20:40:00.001+05:30

In the Indian automotive industry, opportunities and risks are present alike. At one end if the growth opportunities are increasing with technological advancements, on the other end, risks are approaching even faster with high inflation. The only thing that can balance the scale of opportunities and risks is the unshakable power of the car manufacturers.

In the present scenario, if you check, there are enormous possibilities for profitable growth of the car industry. The industry will grow, if certain steps could be introduce such as fuel economy engines, alternate fuel, and refurbishing the structure according to the need of the customers. Even government can help to a great extent in improving the depressing condition of industry.

Car manufacturers can even gain business margins by executing effective marketing strategies. Marketing is the core of every business and if this is strong nothing can hold the industry from flourishing.

In the same time, massive number of risks and obstacles are blocking the path of industry growth. Are these obstacles so strong to be broken down? Are Indian car manufacturers so weak to fight the battle? There is nothing that we Indians can’t do.

The current condition is comparatively tough with the highest inflation of about 11.63%. Fuel prices are soaring higher and higher along with the rise in interest rate. But the car manufacturers have also challenged this high inflation. They are coming out with offers, discounts, vouchers and are absorbing a high portion of the input costs in order to boost the sale.

The first few weeks after the rise in fuel price were really tough for them but eventually they have moved ahead with high hopes and expectations. Amidst this backdrop, Indian auto industry is accomplishing the business by adapting new strategies like reducing costs, making more fuel efficient engines, and managing inventory.

Will Volkswagen Small Car compete with Nano?

2008-07-17T10:24:00.002+05:30

German auto major Volkswagen announces to launch a small car in 2010. The production for this car will start at its upcoming Greenfield plant at Chakan in Pune. Most car consumers have a belief that the proposed small car will compete with the Nano and decrease Tata’s market share.

However, the industry news is that the small car from Volkswagen is a premium small car. The only thing common between the Volkswagen small car and the Nano is the tag “small car”. Volkswagen’s small car will be loaded with luxuries and accessories to enhance the comfort level and performance of the car.

There are many Indian consumers who are currently in the hunt for a small car because of increasing on-road traffic. However, these consumers are wary of giving up the luxuries that sedans or SUVs offer. In such cases, a small car embodied with luxuries, comfortable accessories, and a fuel efficient engine wins the race to lure a wide range of car consumers.

Jetta Competes With Laura

2008-07-17T10:24:00.001+05:30

Volkswagen Jetta has entered the Indian car market with a competitive approach. The car belongs to the same segment as Skoda Laura, Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. The tough competition between Jetta, Civic and Corolla is not a matter of concern but the Indian car market will keep a close watch on the affects that Jetta’s appearance will have on its cousin Laura.

The Indian market has often seen products from two different makes of the same manufacturer enter the fray, but manufacturers were careful not to launch cars in the same segment as their brother or sister concern. Jetta and Laura are cousins that belong to the same segment and are equally priced somewhere between the range of Rs 13-16 Lakh. This is what will give birth to a new competition scenario.

Jetta’s appeal is ordinary for German roads, but the design and style will win over Indian audiences. The car appears to be a better remake of the Volkswagen Passat and can be compared to the last generation European Honda Accord. However, exterior styling is where the similarities end.

Skoda Laura is a classy car based on the A5 platform and comes with high-end technologies and a dynamic design. The car is exclusively customized to meet Indian weather and road conditions. The performance of the car is par excellence. Jetta might cannibalize the sale figures of the Skoda Laura and if that happens, Skoda would definitely not like it.

Volkswagen Plans a Slew of Launches

2008-07-17T10:24:00.000+05:30

The race for small car continues!

Volkswagen enters the race and is targeting to produce better and lighter commercial vehicles along with an unnamed small car. The company has plans to roll out a slew of launches in the next two years.

The company desires to gain a bigger market share with the proposed launches. Following this approach, the company recently launched its exciting sedan, Jetta. Jetta is available in three versions priced between Rs 12.97 to Rs 16.67 lakhs (ex-showroom Delhi).

Volkswagen Jetta is a tough competitor for the Skoda Laura, Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. All these cars belong to the same segment and will definitely race with each other to get the maximum share of the pie. The upcoming small car will compete with the likes and performance of the Swift and Getz.

It is expected that some officials from Volkswagen will drive to India to study the Indian small car market and judge the requirements and demands of Indian consumers. The company is putting in assiduous efforts with a keen desire to make the car India specific.

The company envisions itself creating a benchmark in the Indian car industry with its upcoming models.

Electric Vehicles by Bajaj-Renault-Nissan

2008-07-17T00:30:00.000+05:30

The Indian car industry is caught in the middle of high inflation and interest rates, soaring fuel prices, and a steep decline in car demand and sales. The steep deviation has caught the industry by surprise. The Bajaj-Renault-Nissan alliance now plans to roll out a portfolio of electric cars with a keen desire to boost the sluggish car demand.

The alliance desires to go beyond the ‘ultra low-cost car’ to introduce a range of electric vehicles in India. The company accepts this as a new marketing strategy and has a confirmed belief that car sales will boost as a result of this new marketing strategy.

The Bajaj, Nissan, and Renault alliance is not restricted to the production of one single vehicle. The alliance is negotiating to extend their ULC partnership and produce a portfolio of electric vehicles in different segments with varying price tags. The alliance lays its focus on India because it is one of the most cost-effective production centres in the world even after inflation.

Today’s R–Age of Driving!

2008-07-16T19:25:00.003+05:30

Road rage is a common problem these days. It is common to feel frustration at the sight of empty space in front of a car with a learner’s board. This frustration heightens if this situation occurs in a busy and crowded road at peak traffic with various other vehicles blowing their horns like there is no tomorrow. Another situation is the sight of a person driving at 20 km/h in the middle of a wide road, which makes overtaking absolutely impossible even though the road in front of this driver is empty of other vehicles. Speed is essential as the power of each vehicle increases and when a person is unable to rev at a desired speed for at least a few minutes, then the frustration takes over and what comes next is nothing but rash driving.

Then come the two-wheelers and three-wheelers trying to squeeze into the tiniest gaps or revving at high speeds from the left to the right of the road leaving the four-wheelers completely responsible for any sort of misfortune that might befall them. The buses hold their own with no regard for others on the road, stopping at the centre of a highway to pick up passengers and racing each other to get to the next set of passengers. Small cars trouble drivers in big cars by showing no respect for lane principles and bigger cars show brawn and valiantly pass smaller cars who know that their damage will be greater in a brawl.

If a driver tries to obey traffic rules and red lights after 11 at night, then he/she must be ready to have their ears blown off with the symphony of various horns. Soon, even for a good driver, the tension and pressure of driving on congested roads increases and the driver molds his/her attitude and driving style to that of everyone else. After being on the receiving end, it feels good to give some back, even if it is not to the same people.

However, most times playful banter can go out of control of the driver and that is when complete chaos and carnage reigns. Backing off or refusing to race in the middle of a crowded street does not make one inferior to another – however, this does not seem to be the Indian way!

Article Submitted by Pramod