Maruti stir ends but wait for dream car continues

The 14-day strike at Maruti’s Manesar plant, which ended on Friday, has left many customers in queue as the auto major is struggling to deliver vehicles booked in advance. Deevakar Anand reports.

The 14-day strike at Maruti’s Manesar plant, which ended on Friday, has left many customers in queue as the auto major is struggling to deliver vehicles booked in advance.

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Production was disrupted for about two weeks after a 33-day stir in September and also due to a fresh agitation this month. The two strikes affected manufacturing of Maruti’s flagship models, Swift and Swift Dzire, for which the waiting period has gone up to 7-8 months at some dealers.

Sanjay Kumar, a Gurgaon resident who had booked a Swift to get it delivered on the auspicious day of Dhanteras, looked dejected as he shared his anxieties with a customer care executive of a Maruti showroom.

“Can you still do something about it? I was keen on taking the car home on Dhanteras,” he said. Another resident Kavita Sangwan has chosen not to wait and buy some other car.

“I came here to book an SX4 diesel, but since they can’t help me get it before Diwali, I will buy another car,” she said.

Dealers are also getting less inquiries from prospective buyers. Ashwini Mittal, general manager (sales) at Apra Auto, said they are trying to pacify the buyers by sending them letters to inform them about the delay.

Some dealers have stretched delivery deadlines. “We foresaw the problem and got customers to sign an undertaking that the delivery would take at least six months,” said Amar Bansal, sales manager at Competent Auto.