Executive Sedan (D-Segment) go slow

Since the advent of value for money SUVs, sedans have lost control over car buyers. Especially the executive segment (D-class) which include everyone's favourite Toyota Corolla Altis, almost fully loaded Hyundai Fluidic Elantra, driver's favourite Skoda Octavia, top dog in diesel Chevrolet Cruze, roomy mademoiselle Renault Fluence and to some extent the Volkswagen Jetta which reported no sales last month. Leave Jetta, none of the above mentioned vehicles crossed the above 200 mark in sales last month with Elantra itself selling 184 units being the highest selling.

It's not that SUVs of the same price tag are overtaking. Mahindra's XUV 500 sold only 2,144 units which outnumbers the d-segment sedans but isn't upto par with its expectations The Hyundai Creta however stands as an exception selling more than 7,500 units though there are 10 SUVs in this class to choose from. Another exception stands as the all time favourite Toyota Innova whose sales increase day by day due to its comfort and practicality according to its owners.

As for our D-segment sedans only time will tell when their sales will improve.

Things never to do while driving.

Most common mistakes people make are when they drive. Some may be confident that they are amateurs, but believe me mistakes are made only by human beings.

1) Trying to drive your car bare feet

2) Keeping your one hand on the gear lever.

3) Holding the steering the wrong way.

3) Changing lanes randomly

4) Putting headlights on high-beam especially when driving in narrow road.

5) Using the water outlet on the bonnet

6) Driving with pin drop silence when you have a co-passenger

7) Driving too close from nearby cars

Tips you can apply when buying a car

Buying a car may seem a fancy thing. But in the end its a car, not a matchbox.

Today's episode is about what to do and what not to do while buying a car.

1) Whats your budget ?

How much are you willing to spend on your car ? 6 lakhs or 15 lakhs? In a country where money matters much, intricate planning of the amount you need to spend is the most important thing to do. It is unlikely not to mention that even running costs (i.e. maintenance, fuel consumption etc.) and loan offers  also are a part of the post buying budget.

2) What do you need in your car ?

Wife says it should have an entertainment system. Kids say that it should have an armrest at the rear. List all the utility features you need in your wheel. 

Alert- Brain will always stick to budget and heart will always stick to features. So plan and balance wisely.

3) Listen but don't be influenced

Car salesmen will always try to convince you to go for the high end variant and thus burning a larger hole in your pocket no matter they guide you about the car. Always think wisely according to what you feel right.

4) Take a test drive

Never hesitate to feel what its like to be in that car. Dealers will never hesitate always welcome you to the test drive feeling. Test it like you own it.

5) Take your time

What's the USP? Should I buy this or that ?In the end, choose wisely.

6) Try avoiding what's after-market?

An after sales advice. Always try to go for spares, accessories and services given by the company due to duplicate products increasing in the market. However if too expensive, after market option is to be taken if the dealer is a reputed one.

Toys for the Motorhead Jr.

Sometimes Lego, Mattel, Hasbro etc. have failed with those small mould of steel smaller than our palms. Then cam a company called Centy which changed my life with their products that reminded me that Indian toys are worthy of being in a shelf of Hamley's.

I will now list some models which made our childhood better.

1) Mahindra Scorpio

2) HM Ambassador

3) Toyota Innova

4) Maruti Dzire

5) Tata Nano

6) Maruti Swift

7) Toyota Fortuner

8) Hyundai Santro

9) Volkswagen Polo

Cars used by Mumbai Police

The lal batti (originally blue) stands as a mark of respect for the good and the same of fear of the bad. The Gypsy and Qualis have become an history for the new brand of our city police.

I analyse what keeps our Mumbai Police strong when it's on the move

1) Mahindra Bolero

The primary vehicle of not only Mumbai but the whole of Maharashtra police force it's rugged features and off road ability keeps it handy for the khaki wearers.

2) Tata Sumo

Tata's iconic SUV bears that dominant look and silhouette required by a police car along with a go anywhere ability

3) Maruti Ertiga

In 2015, Mumbai Police recieved a dispatch of 94 Ertigas ( 1 for each police station) especially meant for carrying female constables and in women grievances issue.Also DCPS own the same vehicle with a saffron beacon.

4) Mahindra Marksman

Introduced after the 26/11 attack, India's first armoured bulletproof vehicle is meant for the special Task Forces to counter terrorist or arms fire attack.

5) Mahindra XUV 500

It is owned by the Commissioner of our Mumbai Police , Shri Datta Padsalgikar with a saffron beacon and three stars below the number plate.

India's ugliest cars

When physics triumphs over style what you get is the most awkwardly design. I am now going to present some cars that have a foul shape in their look.

1) Maruti Dzire

The most famous design fail in our auto industry, the first generation Dzire probably gave you memories of your friend bending and showing a glimpse of his butt.

2) Maruti Zen Classic

Retro + Peppy was the formula Maruti used for this. Result - Even Suzuki's senior executives in Japan were silently mocking it.

3) Mahindra Nuvosport

Mahindra made Quanto as the shorter Xylo. Understood. But what was the need of producing the Nuvosport in 2015 after producing the TUV 300 the same year and that also with more than 30% of it in black cladding.

4) Maini Reva

The exorbitant price wasn't enough for this electric car when the makers made a car whose first half seemed to have been crushed by a roller.

5) Toyota Etios

To all TABCab drivers, what you are driving is nothing but Logan with a Toyota batch. And sadly I owned one.

What's the most useless feature in a car?

What do Zayed Khan and a car compass have in common?

Its there uselessness. Its not that they are of no existence anywhere but misplacements of a subject may led to nothing but purposeless living.

We discuss those purposeless features in our cars.


1) Coin holder

In a country where you don't get a change even for 50 bucks, whats its use in it? Also such holders work in countries using the concept of parking meters.

2) Cruise Control

Trust me it doesn't work even in the longest of highways especially for Indian ones. I once tried it and my car was shivering. Its better to let the accelerator and your right leg do the job.

3) Rear Spoiler

Just a style statement. It also causes your car to lose balance in sharp turns due to the centrifugal force acting due to the extra weight.

4) Roof Rails

Just a style statement but little do auto makers no they remind me of girl hair-bands.

5)  Sunroof/ Moonroof

Just imagine you are enjoying the breeze standing through your sunroof in your moving car and suddenly your head gets bumped up by a post. Thats a personal reason I hate this feature and also it was said to be banned in Indian cars.

6) Push button start/stop

Man has become so lazy that he needs one remote to operate another. This has led to invention of this button which has led to the days of the key becoming extinct.

No SPEED on BUDGET

What? What?

There was no mention of cars in the recent budget and I knew it. probably because the outdated Excise and Service Tax is soon to be replaced by the goods and Service Tax (GST) which is to come by July this year.

However announcements could have been made to boost the sale of Hybrid and electric Vehicles under the FAME ( Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles) scheme which is still to be reviewed.

The demonetisation has led to decrease in the sales of automobiles and I could expect the government to take some steps to increase vehicle sales. Also it can continue to allot cheaper tax rates to companies on R&D activities so that they can work on better outcomes.

IS TAMO the next big thing by TATA?

TAMO a.k.a TATA MOBILITY  has just been Tata's another tactic for its brand positioning where it will reduce its number of platforms to 2 from 6 but will have more models across segments by the year 2018.

It also plans to develop its first sports car under TAMO whose concept will be debuting at the Geneva Motor Show next month which is to be named 'Futuro' and will be a 2 seater mid-engine car. By this strategy, Tata aims to be among the top 3 automobile brands within the next 2 years both in the passenger and commercial segment.

So my my first question - When did TATA have more than four platforms in their cars?

For as far I remember Tata lives on four platforms when it comes to its cars-Indica, Sumo, Safari and Aria.

Secondly how will it make a diverse expansion of its products if its cars are built on lesser number of platforms. The will be become very similar to European cars where they all look same.

Thirdly is it planning to take down the Safari?

Do not go

Because if they do so there ain't any bigger DEVIL than me.