Does it matter what “we” think?
Let me first clarify that by “we” I am referring to TeamBHP community & all similar communities too also known as Indian Automobile Enthusiast Communities
I have taken all exampled which I feel are appropriate, no offence is ment to anyone in any way
There are lot of members on TeamBHP who think that New Honda City is under powered (I personally love that car) which may be OR may not be true. However if we look around we can clearly see that there is already waiting period for such car.
So my basic question is “in countries like India does it really matter what bunch of automobile enthusiast people think?”
because “we” are a small bunch out of vast market.
Automobile market is consumer driven market, manufacturers have to produce what market wants. Now in our country people spend considerable amount of their income on fuel so it is obvious that in such place cars with better fuel efficiency are preferred. But which means slow, sluggish cars. Being an auto enthusiast “we” might hate such cars. But “we” can not drive the market towards better cars.
Same is the case with Maruti 800. Fairly basic car, low on safety but it is the only car which most people can afford. I personally would like to see M800 being discontinued however then what should the consumers do towards which it is marketed?
So unless and until such consumers are not moving towards better safe, refined cars M800 won't be phased out.
Now such people will go for better cars
1.If consumers are educated & are made aware about benefits of better cars, safety etc
2.Under influence of another person.
I will like to dig into second point as first point has been discussed lots of times till now
Under the influence – I am not aware of any surveys conducted about how much kids (of what age limit) influence on the decision of family buying car.
Lets for example say that 25% of countries teenagers influence their parents to go for performance oriented cars
If that is the case then automobile companies will market their product towards those teenagers than marketing it towards parents
OR
When people will get aware about the different aspects of the cars & seek opinion of knowledgeable person while buying a car e.g. Your neighbor seeking your opinion about safety, reliability and other points while choosing car
If such things starts to happen then automobile companies will start to advertise their products in different ways.
Meaning car ads will not have actors but will show crash tests & its result etc. and car marketing will be done in very different way than it is done currently
Car makers will have to bring out products with better safety systems, better reliability for which consumer will be ready to pay that price.
At the end to answer the question which started it all, what “we” think will matter when “they” will become “one of us”; meaning when Indian consumer will get educated about automobiles & will start to look beyond looks & appeal and will begin respecting security, safety, reliability etc features