The Mobile Mechanics

A large part of our hectic lives is spent driving and negotiating tough traffic blocks. But what happens when your car breaks down in the middle of nowhere? “We step in to the rescue,” says Hitesh Chawla of the newly-opened Carnation in Industrial Area Phase 2,Chandigarh. Chawla is in-charge,Business Development of this multi-brand auto solution that provides roadside assistance programme with their workshop on wheels. “Given the diversity of cars people drive,it is difficult to have dealers or service stations that cater to all. Many women drivers also feel the lack of adequate repair stops along the route,” he adds. Chawla’s team addresses that need,providing roadside assistance in case of a breakdown at Rs 100 for six months. “Flat tyre,choked pipes,dead battery,keys locked in or empty tank,we are equipped to deal with every situation,” he says. The services cover the area within a radius of 100 km in and around the city. For more info,one can log on to http://www.carnation.in.

Like Carnation,there are similar services though often specific to brands like Mercedes-Benz. “Apart from free roadside assistance,we also book air tickets for our customers,check them into five star hotels and make other arrangements if they are stranded,” says Deepak Joshi,director,Joshi Autozone Pvt Ltd in the city’s Industrial Area Phase 2. Joshi’s Mercedes franchise also provides roadside assistance to all Merc owners across Punjab irrespective of the place they bought their Merc from. The same goes for Audi and BMW. In fact,BMW has recovery vehicles,like Merc has flat back trucks for pick-ups. “We have launched a 24-hour road-side assistance programme in the country,” says Audi India managing director Benoit Tiers. The Audi Top Assist programme provides emergency roadside assistance across 95 per cent of the main routes in India round the clock. While usually services come free with the purchase of luxury cars,the owner has to bear a cost of Rs 25 per km in case of an accident. From dispatching motorcycle riders,a taxi and a towing truck,travel and accommodation facilities in case of immobilisation for more than 24 hours,on site repairs,delivery of fuel,delivery of spare keys to custody,transportation,storage,safekeeping and transportation of vehicle,luggage,urgent messages to family and friends to destination,there is a range of services available. One can call on toll free numbers 1-800-103-6800 and 1-800-209-6800.

A slew of big brands have opened their doors to after sales service too. Toyota has started its roadside assistance and vehicles invoiced with effect from April 1,2010 onwards will be provided three years free roadside assistance within 100 km of the dealership. “Services include jumpstarting a vehicle when the battery dies down,replacing a flat tyre with a spare one,providing fuel in case the vehicle runs out of it,retrieving spare key from home and towing immobilized vehicles to the nearest dealership,” says Sandeep Singh,deputy managing director,Toyota Kirloskar Motor. The services will be centrally managed by an assistance centre that can be reached at 1800 102 5001.

Saluja Ford,in fact,has been offering such services in the TriCity area for a while. “We get at least two calls a day. It is a success because one can avoid being cheated by roadside mechanics when it comes to spare parts and cost,” says the spokesperson from the Mohali branch. Saluja road assistance can be reached at 09815081695 or +91 9316490109.