My observation - American Cars getting good foot hold in Bangalore! - Team-BHP

nispatel · 7th October 2007, 13:32

Hi Bhpeans,

I was having my lazy breakfast of idili vada today morning on inner ring road at Kamakya Theater, BSK III stg traffic signal and unconsciously observed pattern of car for about 30 - 40 mins.

I was really surprised not to see a single Honda City. Most number of sedans I saw was Ford Fiesta and most of them relatively new ones. Second most number of sedans I saw .. Hang on... it was Chevrolet Aveo. In hatchback categories I saw plenty of Hyudnai Santro and Maruti Swift. It gave me impression that Ford is really doing well with their Fiesta in sedan category. It seems to have caught attention of those seeking value (diesel) and good handling characteristics based on high rating it received in auto magazine in recent months.

Is common perception that American cars are fun to drive (as opposed to Japanese ones) catching in India??? Or was this just a coincidence?

typeOnegative · 7th October 2007, 13:38

I agree with your observation as well. But as to whether this is a paradigm shift in the way an Indian buyer evaluates cars, I am not too sure. I think it all boils down to:

1. More disposable income
2. More choice
3. The snooty Japanese (read Honda).

What would have happened if Honda and Toyota had targeted the Indian middle class (the real middle class) like they did in the US in 60s and 70s, is anyone's guess.

diabloo · 7th October 2007, 13:40

Good observation nispatel. Some people see only NHC on roads

Any sight of SX4? It was supposed to selling in large numbers

Quote:

Originally Posted by nispatel

Is common perception that American cars are fun to drive (as opposed to Japanese ones) catching in India??? Or was this just a coincidence?

Fun to drive an Aveo, SRV? Got to be kidding.

nispatel · 7th October 2007, 13:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by diabloo

Good observation nispatel. Some people see only NHC on roads

Any sight of SX4? It was supposed to selling in large numbers

Didn't see any SX4 this monring...

typeOnegative · 7th October 2007, 13:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by nispatel

Didn't see any SX4 this monring...

I see two or three everyday. They are selling I think, at least in Mumbai as an alternative to the NHC. Both look ugly. I guess that is why. Heh heh.

vnabhi · 7th October 2007, 13:47

For me, every day the scenario varies---on some days, I see a lot of Vernas, on another day many Fiestas, then Cities on yet another day.
Whenever I need a break from my computer job, I go to the corner cabin and stare at all the swanky cars in Jubilee Hills on the road below.
Wonder why, but I see more on one make on any day.
One day, I saw 5 Mercs and 2 BMWs too.

BUSA · 7th October 2007, 13:59

Well i see lots of Fiesta's, Aveo, SX4 & obvisouly the NHC. However a real way to see which car sells more is to check the monthly sales. For who knows it must be a Fiesta rally going around you

eflanker · 7th October 2007, 14:03

Well, Indian customers, are not matured consumers in one way or another, and they are new to brands like Chevy, so they got to try it out. The concept of protectionism is not existant. (Imagine selling Indian brands to American public - they would never buy it for the benefit of their own country)

I have never bought an American car, and never will. Japanese cars rules anyday comparatively..

v1p3r · 7th October 2007, 14:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by nispatel

Most number of sedans I saw was Ford Fiesta and most of them relatively new ones. Second most number of sedans I saw .. Hang on... it was Chevrolet Aveo.
...
Is common perception that American cars are fun to drive (as opposed to Japanese ones) catching in India??? Or was this just a coincidence?

Neither is truly American. The Fiesta is sold mostly in developing countries, and not in North America. The Aveo/Kalos was developed in South Korea by GM Daewoo and is also sold in Canada as, hold your breath, the Suzuki Swift+!

And fun to drive? Unless you mean a Dodge Viper, you're kidding, right?

appuchan · 7th October 2007, 14:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by nispatel

.... today morning on inner ring road at Kamakya Theater, .....
I was really surprised not to see a single Honda City. Most number of sedans I saw was Ford Fiesta and most of them relatively new ones. ....

Good observation. Try sitting in the same place on a weekday and see the difference. It will be another story. The IT folks would turn it around. You would see more of NHC and Swift than anything else. Ofcourse, the regular share of Santros/WRs will be there. But the 'Americans' would fade out in comparison.

rjstyles69 · 7th October 2007, 16:51

Damn have my eyes gone bling bling. I have developed this phobia for the Log-off's (Logans) , I have seen atleast a dozen or even more today.

All said , a true enthusiast will still be lurking around hunting for a OHC or a Baleno.

LLL · 7th October 2007, 18:05

well, in delhi/noida, i see quite a few city's, sx4's, aveos, fiestas. So cant generalise based on few days observations.

However, i agree with type0-ve...situation could have been very different had toyota and honda targeted real indian middle class which buys a small hatchback.

Steeroid · 7th October 2007, 18:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by typeOnegative

as an alternative to the NHC. Both look ugly. I guess that is why. Heh heh.

Right on that count. Seems like looks dont matter in India - as long as you have a Jap badge on the bonnet. OT: Are Honda really snooty in India? I thought Honda owners were a happy lot!

esteem_lover · 7th October 2007, 22:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by diabloo

Any sight of SX4? It was supposed to selling in large numbers

Absolutely. Where are the SX4s ? Maruti was putting on a show as if the demand was more than supply, but just cannot make them out on the roads. On the other hand Logans seem to be there in plenty.

Back to topic, I have always seen more NHCs, Swifts than Fords in Bangalore. Yes, there are many Ikons & Fiestas but not more than the Hondas & Marutis.

carboy · 7th October 2007, 22:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by eflanker

Well, Indian customers, are not matured consumers in one way or another, and they are new to brands like Chevy, so they got to try it out. The concept of protectionism is not existant. (Imagine selling Indian brands to American public - they would never buy it for the benefit of their own country)

I have never bought an American car, and never will. Japanese cars rules anyday comparatively..

Don't understand your post all. Can you elaborate? Both about the
protectionism angle & also about why you wouldn't buy an American car?

7th October 2007, 13:32	#1 (permalink)
nispatel BHPian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 94	My observation - American Cars getting good foot hold in Bangalore! Hi Bhpeans, I was having my lazy breakfast of idili vada today morning on inner ring road at Kamakya Theater, BSK III stg traffic signal and unconsciously observed pattern of car for about 30 - 40 mins. I was really surprised not to see a single Honda City. Most number of sedans I saw was Ford Fiesta and most of them relatively new ones. Second most number of sedans I saw .. Hang on... it was Chevrolet Aveo. In hatchback categories I saw plenty of Hyudnai Santro and Maruti Swift. It gave me impression that Ford is really doing well with their Fiesta in sedan category. It seems to have caught attention of those seeking value (diesel) and good handling characteristics based on high rating it received in auto magazine in recent months. Is common perception that American cars are fun to drive (as opposed to Japanese ones) catching in India??? Or was this just a coincidence? Last edited by nispatel : 7th October 2007 at 13:33.

7th October 2007, 13:47	#6 (permalink)
vnabhi Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 1,027 View My Garage	For me, every day the scenario varies---on some days, I see a lot of Vernas, on another day many Fiestas, then Cities on yet another day. Whenever I need a break from my computer job, I go to the corner cabin and stare at all the swanky cars in Jubilee Hills on the road below. Wonder why, but I see more on one make on any day. One day, I saw 5 Mercs and 2 BMWs too. __________________ ------------------------------------- Ford Fiesta 1.6 sxi 2007 WagonR LXi 2001

7th October 2007, 13:59	#7 (permalink)
BUSA Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bombay Posts: 5,066 View My Garage	Well i see lots of Fiesta's, Aveo, SX4 & obvisouly the NHC. However a real way to see which car sells more is to check the monthly sales. For who knows it must be a Fiesta rally going around you __________________ thecarsandmore.blogspot. com

7th October 2007, 16:51	#11 (permalink)
rjstyles69 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bengalooru.. Posts: 1,700 View My Garage	Damn have my eyes gone bling bling. I have developed this phobia for the Log-off's (Logans) , I have seen atleast a dozen or even more today. All said , a true enthusiast will still be lurking around hunting for a OHC or a Baleno. __________________ Cheers rjstyles You never really learn to SWEAR until you learn to DRIVE.

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7th October 2007, 13:38	#2 (permalink)
typeOnegative Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Vikhroli, Mumbai, India Posts: 1,328	I agree with your observation as well. But as to whether this is a paradigm shift in the way an Indian buyer evaluates cars, I am not too sure. I think it all boils down to: 1. More disposable income 2. More choice 3. The snooty Japanese (read Honda). What would have happened if Honda and Toyota had targeted the Indian middle class (the real middle class) like they did in the US in 60s and 70s, is anyone's guess.

7th October 2007, 14:03	#8 (permalink)
eflanker BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: BLR Posts: 86	Well, Indian customers, are not matured consumers in one way or another, and they are new to brands like Chevy, so they got to try it out. The concept of protectionism is not existant. (Imagine selling Indian brands to American public - they would never buy it for the benefit of their own country) I have never bought an American car, and never will. Japanese cars rules anyday comparatively..

7th October 2007, 18:05	#12 (permalink)
LLL BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Delhi Posts: 594	well, in delhi/noida, i see quite a few city's, sx4's, aveos, fiestas. So cant generalise based on few days observations. However, i agree with type0-ve...situation could have been very different had toyota and honda targeted real indian middle class which buys a small hatchback.