Tata Motors will be replacing the defective starter motor of around 1,40,000 Nano cars free of cost. The entire replacement process is estimated to cost the company about Rs. 110 crores. However, the officials have refused to call this procedure a recall, asserting that it is just an activity to equip the car with a newer and a more powerful motor. This recall process is being termed as the largest in the Indian automobile history.
According to company officials, Nano models manufactured since its launch in 2009 and sold till 21st of November, 2011 will be getting a new starter motor. However, the ones sold after 21st are already fitted with an efficient motor so there will be no need of replacing the part in these cars. About 50,000 units of Nano have already received a brand new starter motor. The Society of Indian Automobile Manufactures (SIAM) has stated that 1,40,428 Nano cars have been purchased since 2009 to November, 2011.
Tata Motors’ Nano has been in the limelight since its launch, albeit for the wrong reasons. In 2009, after its introduction in the automobile market, Nano had become very popular due to its price and enjoyed an astounding response from customers. However, one incident that resulted in bad publicity was when a few Nano models caught fire because of a faulty electric system. 70,000 cars were called back in order to improve on the safety features and the flawed electric system. These factors led to the decrease in the sales of Nano. In order to overcome bad sales, Tata Motors decided to come up with a better version of the Nano that was launched in November, 2011. The car is now fitted with an efficient engine that gives improved fuel economy without any rise in price.
As per Press Trust of India (PTI), Deepesh Rathore, Head of IHS Automotive India, said “Tata Motors, like any other car-maker, wants to ensure that its customers are satisfied with their product. So, they are willingly replacing the starters in all available Nanos in the market.” However, industry experts feel otherwise; most of them are of the opinion that Tata Motors has always been facing problems with its Nano and customers are not satisfied with this model. Hence, Tata is doing everything possible to please buyers and to win their confidence back.
Besides Tata Motors, there are other car manufacturers who have started recalling cars in India. Maruti Suzuki called back about 1 lac A-Star models in 2009. The company was compelled to do so because of a defective fuel pump gasket. Honda Siel had announced that it would change the power window switches of around 72,115 models in September. Recently, Toyota Kirloskar Motor also replaced a flawed inlet fuel pipe after calling back 41,000 units of Etios and Liva. Hence, it is high time that auto manufacturers pulled their socks up and delivered excellent models.
