Wagons have a day out

AUTOMOBILE MAJORS continuously monitor the pulse of the market. And, at times, the relentless effort to boost the image of their products, provides fun and entertainment for their customers. It was fun and frolic with family for Maruti Wagon R owners at a `Maximum Mileage' contest held in the city on Sunday. The much postponed event of Maruti got off to a flying start on a holiday and given the company's customer-oriented approach, the emphasis was on safe and good driving habits. About 80 customers with seat belts firmly fastened were at the wheel at 7-30 a.m.

The task was simple. An 85-kilometre route around the metropolis with one or multiple navigators, who could be family members as well. Speed was of little relevance, only skills to squeeze the maximum mileage from the 16 bit computer-equipped automobiles mattered. Each drop of fuel would differentiate the winner from others.

The cars, flagged off from Kathipara Junction, meandered through the not-so-busy carriageways of the city as the day happened to be a Sunday.

The contestants touched Anna Nagar, Parrys Corner and the East Coast Road before making their way back to a fuel station near Meenambakkam on GST Road. There were of course check points and route marshals to direct them and disqualify those with unfastened seat belts and for road violation, such as jumping signals. There was a `right mix' of participants much to the delight of the company personnel. There were ladies, senior citizens and men behind the wheels to take on the rigours of the road to prove the fuel efficiency of their cars.

The promoters had done their job overnight. The cars were under their custody, fuel filled to the `brim. Both the odometer and bonnets of the cars had been `sealed' to prevent tampering, said Mr. Hardeep S. Brar, Maruti's Deputy Manager (Events). The cars that returned were topped up again to calculate the fuel consumed during the drive.

The drivers were a happy lot as tips for fuel efficiency were detailed to them. If some were left behind at the venue of the programme, it was fun with games such as picking a key chain from a bucket full of ice cubes.

Mr. K. Srikanth distributed the prizes. It is a trip for two to Singapore, for the winner Mr. Kirubagaran, whose car averaged 25.96 km per litre of petrol.

The second and third were close as they were able to achieve 25.26 and 24.87 per litre. Senior citizens like Mr. S. Viswanathan, too had the pleasure of contesting. His car averaged 22.33. The winners among the women drivers were given car alarms. Ms. Mehta's car too performed well, touching 23.09 km a litre, said Mr. K. Sankara Kumar, Deputy Manager (Sales).

By S. Shanker

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