On a recent trip to India, Canadian auto dealer’s Jim Bell visited a number of auto dealers to see how they compared with and differed from those here in North America. What he found were many similarities and just as many differences.
New, modern facilities are the order of the day, but much of the work done within them is of the major overhaul type – including engine and transmission rebuilds, which we typically haven’t done for decades.

It was also a bit disconcerting, Jim noted, to find armed guards, not only outside a dealership but within its showroom. And the stores themselves were typically surrounded by sturdy walls with secure gates. No after-hours browsing of inventory allowed!

Driving in India also proved to be a unique experience, with the broad array of different vehicle types on the roads. "It appears that the Indians have developed a caste system on wheels," Jim reports. "Trucks drive vans off the road, vans drive cars off the road, cars drive tuk tuks off the road, tuk tuks drive motor bikes off the road and motor bikes drive cyclists off the road. As a pedestrian walking you had better be fast if you want to stay alive!

"Any road markings you might see are for decoration only," he adds. "The most frightening thing is realizing that even on their new six-lane highways, driving the wrong way in the fast lane is a normal practice. There is nothing to wake you up more than seeing a large Tata truck coming towards you in the fast lane with no intention of moving over! Throw in some cows, camels, goats and sheep sitting in the middle of the highway and you have the picture."

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