I felt lucky when I grabbed the first delivery of Fiat Grande Punto(Emotion Pack) in Lucknow on July 3rd, 2009. My trust in Fiat had long died way in early 1980s; but with the latest reviews appearing in various internet sites and car magazines, Ionce again gave Fiat a break and convinced myself in purchasing this newer model. The car which I received is a red color fully loaded model and it lives up to the reviews made by the various agencies.
But the major shock which I received today(i.e July 23, 2009) was that this car is not approved with the Lucknow RTO(Regional Transport Officer). For this the company(FIAT) has to send the necessary documents of their models to the registration authorities. Hence the RTO office today denied registering this car as the said approval has not been sought by the company. So I got back to the dealer, who said write to TATA Motors as we have nothing to do with this. So now I am stuck with this car with no number plate. So now I contemplate to take FIAT motors to the consumer court.
The car which I had received from the dealer did not had any manuals or service booklet(which the dealer brushed it off saying it is yet to arrive from FIAT since is it is brand new launch). SO I am still waiting for it to arrive along with the Extended Warranty package which I had taken for this car.
The new car rides well so far, but when I opened the bonnet of the car this morning, I was shocked to see lousy finish in the engine compartment(the sticker on top was peeling off, there was rubber bosch on top of battery which was completely worn out - as if this is a 5 years old car - see the photo attached).
While the matting near the handle of bonnet(near the brake gas pedal) is very poorly done.in fact it is coming out as you can see in the photo.even the plastic cover which hold the matting near the door step is coming out(see the photo).which will probably be out in few weeks.
So I warn everyone to be careful in buying this piece of metal at this moment.til FIAT works on their quality and the dealer network(which is worst).
Update(May 13, 2010):
As I said earlier in my review.my worst nightmare happened(please read the email I had sent to Fiat, and their usual reply):
From: Ajaz Farooqui [mailto:ajaz.farooqui@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, May 11, 2010 3:31 PM
To: Ricky Walter; Mangesh Kodalkar; Kaushik.Prasad@fiapl.com
Subject: Complaint of a brand new Fiat Grand Punto
I bought a brand new FIAT Grande Punto loaded car last year in July
2009(the first car of Lucknow city, India).
Few months back, the car was recalled by the local dealer’Goldrush"
for making some replacements as advised by the Fiat; and they changed
the clutch, and other 2 parts. Just yesterday, my wife had picked me
from the airport and driving home - the clutch failed. We were 12 kms
away from home, I called up your Helpline number in Lucknow
9415020101, and the person told me that the Service workshop is closed
(at 7:50 PM), and bring the vehicle tomorrow morning to the workshop.
I told him that my car is stuck on the highway, and cant drive at all.
So he advised me to drive the car somehow on 1st gear or 2nd, and
bring it to the workshop(which was again 12-13 kms) and leave it with
the security guard.
Somehow I managed to put the gear 2nd and drove the car with lots of
trouble and took me 1 hour to reach the workshop. I dropped the car
there and took a taxi and came back home. This morning I called up the
service workshop, and they told me that clutch cylinder is gone. so I
told them that they just replaced it few months back, and my car has
only done 11, 400 kms. They told me that they have to replace it and
the car will be ready only tomorrow(may 12, 2010).
Now I my main question is that if the company had replaced the same
parts few months back then why did it break down. I will appreciate
it, if someone can answer this question from the company - as now I
doubt the manufacturing of this car.
Fiat Reply:
fromService to"ajaz.farooqui@gmail.com"
date
