The Tata Nano has a strong tendency to attract heated debates and arguments from environmentalists and politicians. It is by far the hottest car launched in 2009, a global phenomenon, and the heat isn't willing to escape from the Nano's vicinity.
A newly purchased Nano, parked in the comfort of housing society parking area in Ahmedabad, burst into flames yesterday morning. Thankfully no one was hurt in the incident. Sources place responsibility on a faulty battery for the culprit behind the fire.
But the flames or the company representatives who arrived at the scene immediately to put it out don't make this story interesting. The Nano's owner, who did not want to go down without a fight, is this story's real hero.
After the incident, he went to the Tata dealership that sold him the car and demanded a compensation of 5 lakh (500,000) rupees!
Wait, the story isn't over yet -
When the dealership officials refused, he demanded the Fiat Linea or a Tata Safari as a replacement to his charred vehicle. And you thought shiny new cars on display only attract customers.
The cherry on this stale pudding -
After the officials refused to compensate with the Linea or the Safari he initially wanted, he demanded a Mercedes Benz (not quite sure about the model, possibly he himself would not have)
Tata Motors took stock of the situation and slipped in a promise - they say if the cause of the fire is due to a manufacturing defect, the car will eventually be replaced.
Will this promise also be a genuine promise?
Only time will tell.
Source - DNA India