I have just been through a newspaper report that says that the Hyundai Getz sales have been disappointing. At around 1,500 units a month, I can only agree with the report. The Getz may be a premium hatchback but anything without a boot selling less than 3,000 units is bad news for the manufacturer. Heck, even the Esteem, with a nearly fifteen year old bodyshell (nuggets from the Getz launch) is doing 2,000 plus units every month.

So what is it that is holding back the Getz? Is it the styling - well, it does look cheap and bland, but it doesn't look bad. Is it the engine - the piowerplant is unspirited and dull but not that bad either. Or is it just the fact that Hyundai India was charging too much for a car which was essentially a hatchback. The Getz, as premium as it may be, is a hatchback and for the Indian market, a hatch still is a notch lower than a notchback.

On a side note, the Getz TV promo is simply ludicrous. Loud and proud, the television commercial has all the sophistication of a Mallika Sherawat and a jingle that is reminiscent of Bappi Lahiri.