Battle of the Entry Level UVs: Sumo Gold vs Bolero

[vyasvivek]

Just an year ago Tata launched GOLD the refreshed version of their original superstar Tata Sumo,and no one gave it a chance.We all thought that its another flash in the pan,but whoa what an amazing success story its has turned out to be.Before the launch of Gold,per annum sales of Sumo were around 12,000 units but after GOLD's arrival TML has manged to sell more than 36K Sumos.Still no where close to Bolero,but the manner in which it is becoming popular in rural India,that day is not that far.

I agree, till a few months ago in I didn't see many sumo golds around but nowadays I spot quite a few on a daily basis, that too in Gangtok in which mahindra is the leader in MUV'S. If only TML were a bit more aggressive in their marketing..I myself didn't know that sumo gold existed. Till the local dealership told me about it.

and can we please have A TD/OWNERSHIP REPORT soon please

 

[Raja]

I agree, till a few months ago in I didn't see many sumo golds around but nowadays I spot quite a few on a daily basis, that too in Gangtok in which mahindra is the leader in MUV'S. If only TML were a bit more aggressive in their marketing..I myself didn't know that sumo gold existed. Till the local dealership told me about it.

and can we please have A TD/OWNERSHIP REPORT soon please

@Vyasvivek

I think the user base of sumo gold , iam not saying all but majority of them may or may not have access or inclination to write a ownership report of the sumo gold , since its used mostly as people mover .
Though even iam seeing many of them in Mumbai used by familes also these days , this shows why they are been seen a lot these days .
Beside that I have driven the sumo gold as 1 of my friend owns one and I found it to be a fun to drive , comfertable SUV/muv in its segment . It has tremendous pulling power and class leading ride quality .( again in its segment )

@ xover -

The reason why sumo can't break boleros record ever are well posted by dharmesh in some post above on the same page . No matter what boleros sales will be allways documented high because of the many versions of it being sold .

 

[THE XOVER]

@v...... K, Asap,I will post the TD report, I have tded them B2B.

Hey tornado,still waiting for your comparo buddy,please post it soon.

Sumo Gold is doing good inspite of the old and bland body shell.

That 3000cc 407 derived cr4 engine,its that thing auto,its a gem trust me.It produces such melodious sound that you'll not get in any other car.

It seems the the Sumo team at TATA Motors is there to outsmart Storme guys by launching an SUV style TV commercial for Sumo Gold.

I am actually not worried about Storme,as TATA don't want to advertise on TV that a new Safari is out in the market at the moment and lose sales of current Safari in the process.

But its the Aria which I am really worried about;even though now they have launched an entry level variant at 9.95 lakhs,still they are not showing any ads or trying to create awareness in amongst the masses about this wonderful product.

BTW,you are also watching India/England test match

Though even iam seeing many of them in Mumbai used by familes also these days , this shows why they are been seen a lot these days .

+ 1

I have also seen quite a few privately owned Sumo GOLDs.So slowly but surely GOLD is expanding its customer base,good to see IMO.

@ xover -
The reason why sumo can't break boleros record ever are well posted by dharmesh in some post above on the same page . No matter what boleros sales will be allways documented high because of the many versions of it being sold .

Yes I know,but 10,000 units of Bolero will always look daunting and give it a psychological edge over Sumo fans.Bragging rights so to speak

and can we please have A TD/OWNERSHIP REPORT soon please

Raja has done a very good td of GOLD in this very same thread a few pages back,also dr.desai's friend owns one.

 

[rajvardhanraje]

I have also seen quite a few Boleros as government vehicles. That would also contribute to the sales a little bit. Also it still remains the preferred rural runabout. Early this year when I visited a remote village in Rajasthan called Jalore, I was talking to the locals about cars. They consider a white Bolero SLX as a status symbol there and even told a few incidences of theft of Boleros.

 

[Superbad]

Just a clarification
the so called milk van version of boleros are sold as commercial vehicles and they are mentioned as CV sales in their sales chart.

 

[Vinu]

Gold in it's present version will never surpass the sales of Bolero. Bolero beats Sumo hands down in the looks department. And I am really surprised at the reports of people buying Sumo as a personal car. Why would anybody do that? And there is no use cribbing about the Bolero sales. Gold is a very practical people mover, nonetheless. Now with a more fuel efficient and BS4 conforming engine it may settle for 5,000 unit / per month. Very respectable figure for a 2 decade old model.

 

[Raja]

People have different budgets and choices many buy boleros as their personal vehicle too and I don't find anything surprising that some living in cities also prefer buying a sumo gold as a family car it's a question of subjective choice .

Sumo gold is very dated looking car no doubt since its the same desgin for so long , but in my subjective opinion its better car to drive and very spacious too .

Since I have driven the new bolero and sumo gold both , other then looks for me the sumo gold is a clear choice when it comes to comfort , space and driving pleasure .

 

[Vishwas]

Just a clarification
the so called milk van version of boleros are sold as commercial vehicles and they are mentioned as CV sales in their sales chart.

Gold in it's present version will never surpass the sales of Bolero. Bolero beats Sumo hands down in the looks department. And I am really surprised at the reports of people buying Sumo as a personal car. Why would anybody do that? And there is no use cribbing about the Bolero sales. Gold is a very practical people mover, nonetheless. Now with a more fuel efficient and BS4 conforming engine it may settle for 5,000 unit / per month. Very respectable figure for a 2 decade old model.

Even if you leave off the commercial segment vehicles, the passenger version could show you at-least 7-8k mark, where people would never get a chance to say Sumo will overtake bolero and everybody knows it.
Sumo is really spacious and comfortable to travel.But its never recommended for personal use.

 

[THE XOVER]

Even I accept that GOLD won't be able to touch 10K per month sales ala BOLERO,but the way GOLD is becoming popular in rural India of Bihar/Jharkhand(the biggest market of Bolero),it's only a matter of time before GOLD closes the gap big time.

 

[Superbad]

Even if you leave off the commercial segment vehicles, the passenger version could show you at-least 7-8k mark, where people would never get a chance to say Sumo will overtake bolero and everybody knows it.
Sumo is really spacious and comfortable to travel.But its never recommended for personal use.

what i meant to say is that bolero sales clocking about 10k per month is the passenger car sales.

though there is no denying that the government/police buys boleros for official use , the bolero is preferred as a low maintenance vehicle in the passenger car segment inspite of its limitations.

 

[Raja]

Even if you leave off the commercial segment vehicles, the passenger version could show you at-least 7-8k mark, where people would never get a chance to say Sumo will overtake bolero and everybody knows it.
Sumo is really spacious and comfortable to travel.But its never recommended for personal use.

Can you explain why sumo is never recommended for personal use please ?

If the different versions of bolero are not counted in its overall sales , then indeed its great work from mahindra to sell a cramped and ergonomicaly uncomfortable car ( subjective ) in such great numbers kudos to them . And yes sumo gold in its current look can't surpass the sales inspite of being a better car then bolero IMHO .

 

[Vishwas]

Can you explain why sumo is never recommended for personal use please ?

A short story goes like this with my father:
(when he was interested on Venture)
Me: Dad, why don't you give a try with the Sumo Gold.It has CRDe one.
He: Its too big to drive in the city.
Me: It is spacious, it can carry upto ten people at times.
He: I know, but its difficult to maneuver in a city like Bangalore, it creates more tension
Me: Please understand, i drive the car and want a big one.
He: You go to work and use car only on weekends, i take it in highways and drive it often, so i want a car which suits me best.(he is 50 now)

Bolero is out of his list too.

 

[Raja]

A short story goes like this with my father:
(when he was interested on Venture)
Me: Dad, why don't you give a try with the Sumo Gold.It has CRDe one.
He: Its too big to drive in the city.
Me: It is spacious, it can carry upto ten people at times.
He: I know, but its difficult to maneuver in a city like Bangalore, it creates more tension
Me: Please understand, i drive the car and want a big one.
He: You go to work and use car only on weekends, i take it in highways and drive it often, so i want a car which suits me best.(he is 50 now)

Bolero is out of his list too.

nice story

But its your subjective experience.
Other father and son can have some other discussion.
What happens with us doesn't allways happen with every one.

There are familes with many members who like traveling toghther and don't have budget for a ertiga or don't like the bolero because of its cramped nature and go and buy a sumo gold ,I still don't understand what surprising is in this and why can't some 1 buy it and never recommend it ?

 

[vyasvivek]

Guys i booked the tata sumo gold GX BSIV in dew white today and will be getting delivery by next weekend...any specific checks and would love tips on accessorising it..

 

[Raja]

Guys i booked the tata sumo gold GX BSIV in dew white today and will be getting delivery by next weekend...any specific checks and would love tips on accessorising it..

great congrats vyasvivek

can you tell us have you bought the sumo gold for your personal use ? or comerical use ?

experts like dr desai . iron rock , and others will give you tips for sure .

and please start a ownership review with many many pictures .