09-18-2006, 10:39 PM
<!--emo&:ind--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/india.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='india.gif' /><!--endemo--> Auto imports in UK hit Indian roadblock
Rashmee Roshan Lall
[ 18 Sep, 2006 1730hrs ISTTIMES NEWS NETWORK ]
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Accordingly, Ponniah has launched a campaign to "save our tuctuc" and he optimistically claims "considerable support" from local politicians, residents and visitors for the greenest embryonic transport system anywhere in Europe.
Brighton's worthies say the taxi drivers were indeed jealous of the tuctuc's public profile and the fact that it is being hailed as the Third World answer to first world problems with cheap, fast, eco-friendly urban transport.
Soon after the Indian auto became a familiar sight on Brighton's streets, ecstatic customers started to debate their virtues as compared to taxis.
Said one satisfied tuctuc passenger in unflattering reference to taxis: "I feel this is good for visitors and locals alike and I can understand why taxi drivers are up in arms about it. I came to Brighton for the first time before the tuctucs were on the road. We dropped our bags off at the hotel, parked the car for free, jumped into a taxi and gave him the name of the hotel expecting to back the route we just travelled â less than five minutes. Instead, we were taken round the houses and it cost us £7.40 for the tour we did not request. So hats off to the tuctucs".
But the tuctuc's ride into British hearts has hardly been uneventful. Just days ago, one of its signature and most popular vehicles, the 'Chav-rolet' was grounded while its Burberry check pattern was painted out because the fashion house threatened to sue for breach of copyright.
Sighs Ponniah, 26 and still youthfully resolute that he will import 100 more autos from India by the end of the year for roll-out across Britain and Europe, "It's been a difficult few weeks. But all of this is a setback, not the end".
But Burberry's move to protect its distinctive and iconic mud-brown tartan pattern is still the least of Ponniah's problems.
Eventually, it must conquer â or succumb to â the problems that come with importing into Europe not just the Indian auto but that crippling sub-continental disease as well â unpunctuality.
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Rashmee Roshan Lall
[ 18 Sep, 2006 1730hrs ISTTIMES NEWS NETWORK ]
RSS Feeds| SMS NEWS to 8888 for latest updates
Accordingly, Ponniah has launched a campaign to "save our tuctuc" and he optimistically claims "considerable support" from local politicians, residents and visitors for the greenest embryonic transport system anywhere in Europe.
Brighton's worthies say the taxi drivers were indeed jealous of the tuctuc's public profile and the fact that it is being hailed as the Third World answer to first world problems with cheap, fast, eco-friendly urban transport.
Soon after the Indian auto became a familiar sight on Brighton's streets, ecstatic customers started to debate their virtues as compared to taxis.
Said one satisfied tuctuc passenger in unflattering reference to taxis: "I feel this is good for visitors and locals alike and I can understand why taxi drivers are up in arms about it. I came to Brighton for the first time before the tuctucs were on the road. We dropped our bags off at the hotel, parked the car for free, jumped into a taxi and gave him the name of the hotel expecting to back the route we just travelled â less than five minutes. Instead, we were taken round the houses and it cost us £7.40 for the tour we did not request. So hats off to the tuctucs".
But the tuctuc's ride into British hearts has hardly been uneventful. Just days ago, one of its signature and most popular vehicles, the 'Chav-rolet' was grounded while its Burberry check pattern was painted out because the fashion house threatened to sue for breach of copyright.
Sighs Ponniah, 26 and still youthfully resolute that he will import 100 more autos from India by the end of the year for roll-out across Britain and Europe, "It's been a difficult few weeks. But all of this is a setback, not the end".
But Burberry's move to protect its distinctive and iconic mud-brown tartan pattern is still the least of Ponniah's problems.
Eventually, it must conquer â or succumb to â the problems that come with importing into Europe not just the Indian auto but that crippling sub-continental disease as well â unpunctuality.
< Previous|1|2|