Fabia | The Alien World

Aug 10

Skoda recalls Fabia Petrol

Posted in: Reviews

In my earlier posts I mentioned about the problem with Skoda Fabia. Today, morning a Friend of mine who knew about the problem with my car, called and told me to go thru the news on Times-of-India. This proves that were some serious problems with the car.

Anyway, I m not emphasizing on the problem. What I do want to emphasize is that Skoda is professional & bold enough to accept the problem. In fact, when I first raised the concern, which was few month back, with the dealer they actually went ahead and replaced the car with the Fabia Diesel. The best part of this was that they only gave the option of changing the car.

Replacing a car may be a new phenomenon in India, but across Europe and US, that has happened in past. The good thing is that the manufacturer is accepting the fault and is ready for fix it.

I have been driving Fabia Diesel since last 1 month without any problem. In fact, it is a really nice car meant for city driving, with an excellent millage. I am getting 16 kmpl in city conditions. So no regrets on buying it… Its the best in this segment!

http://alienworld.wordpress.com/2008/07/25/skodas-promise/
http://alienworld.wordpress.com/2008/05/14/letter-to-skoda/

Jul 25

Skoda's Promise

Posted in: Reviews

In one of my earlier post, I have told you that my new Fabia petrol had a sever flaw – “Breaks don’t apply in slow speed”. Skoda acknowledged the problem and tried to fix it. The car was with them for a long time, but the car still had problem after it came back from the workshop.

This was when I went to meet the owner of Mahavir Autos (Skoda Dealer). He was very polite and professional and straight away gave an option of replacing the car. Not only did they replaced the car, they also upgraded it to a higher diesel version.

My experience with Skoda has been really good, not exactly in term of the car, but with the interaction I had with all the people at the showroom. They have truly lived up to their name. I doubt any other car manufacturer or dealer would have been so professional in dealing with replacing the full car.

Read “Letter to Skoda“

May 14

Letter to Skoda

Posted in: Reviews

To Skoda,

I bought a Fabia Elegance – Petrol on 30-May-08 from Mahavir Auto, Hyderabad.

One of the primary reason to choose Skoda Fabia were its security and safety features. One of the thing also mentioned on your site is “Our customers can be sure always to get adequate value for their money: reliable, technically advance automobiles, original in design, and fully comparable in parameters and user properties with our competitor’s products.” And believe me this was the very reason to buy this car.

It happened with me twice – while driving in heavy traffic the break paddle jammed and I was not able to apply the brakes. Instead I had to use the hand brakes to avoid hitting another car. I do not want to exaggerate this but this could have been lethal and the safety of me and my family was compromised.

The car is in workshop since yesterday and they have identified the problem as some leakage in the vacuum pipe.

This has seriously dented my confidence in Skoda and I am not sure how you can regain this.

Thanks,

Now, after this mail, here is the response to the mails and the complete history till now. The car is still not picked for modifications and I am not very happy about it. It is not worth paying 8+ lacs for a small care if it defeates the very porpouse for what it was bought – reliable, technically advance automobiles, original in design, and fully comparable in parameters and user properties with our competitor’s products. It is not tested properly and there are still some modification/fixing that needs to be carried out.

From: MM @ skoda

Sent: Tuesday, May 20, 2008 1:15 AM
To: NM
Subject: fabia -1.4

Dear Mr. NM,

We have taken up your concern on top priority with the manufacturer. As mentioned a modification is expected with the next 1 week. As soon as we have the same, we will ensure that the vehicle is picked up and corrected.

I thank you for your kind understanding.

Warm regards,

MM.

From: NM

Sent: Tuesday, May 20, 2008 12:41 AM
To: MM

Subject: RE: fabia -1.4

Hello MM,

Thanks for keeping me informed on this. This is really a relief. I am currently out of country and will be back in June end. In the mean time, please let me know when you have to carry out the modifications, so that I can arrange someone to be at home so that the car can be picked.

Thanks,

From: MM @ skoda

Sent: Friday, May 16, 2008 12:15 PM
To: NM
Subject: fabia -1.4

Dear Mr. NM,

We have understood your concern on the Fabia 1.4 petrol and thank you for the feed back given. We have inspected and interrogated the vehicle extensively. The diagnostic logs have also been forwarded to Skoda-Auto. As per the discussions had with them a modification is expected in 8-10 days and the same will be carried out on your vehicle also.

We will inform you regarding the same and have the vehicle picked up to carry out the modification.

I regret the inconvenience caused and assure you of our best services at all times.

Warm regards,