[dhanushs]

Here's a funny gif I came across, which, in a way, stereotypes cars.



Do we have a stereotype for cars in India? Or rather a better question would be, do we stereotype drivers of various car/brands in India? Well, non-enthusiasts definitely did that a decade ago. But these days, with lot of cars from the same segment, offering more or less similar features its vanishing fast.

I have some which did rounds in my village a while back. Not sure if it makes sense..

• The Dzire, Manza lots for the taxi segment, or economy conscious.
• The Scorpio for the wannabe macho.
• The Honda's for doctors.
• Maruti's for the family men.
• Fords & Fiats for the carboys or fanboys.
• Etios/Liva for someone who buys a brand, not a car.

Has stereotyping completely vanished? If so, what were the ones doing rounds in your place? If not what are the ones doing rounds?

[Blow Horn Ok]

Scorpio in white: A contractor, Mushrooming politician, A goon
Scorpio in black: A contractor with shade of grey, A goon/gangster
Fortuner: Well established contractor, Well established politician
A maruti/Hyundai hatchback: Aam aadmi, play safe family men
A fiat: Risk takers
A ford: People perched on fence between safe zone and risk zone.
Bolero: Baraati and sarkari Babu gaadi
Wagon R: A practical transportation appliance.

[Skyline_GT]

1) Premium Sedans
Superb/ Passat- Rich man's chariot. Also cause buying a Merc/BMW is too mainstream!

2) Wannabe SUVs
Scorpio(White)- Politicians, Govt Officers, Pays at Toll Booths
Scorpio (Black/Grey)- Goons, Body Guards, Fight their way through toll booths
Bolero (White)- Body Guards, Govt Officials
Tata Sumo- I have a small budget but a big family kind of men

3) HatchBacks
Wagon R- Hum 2 Humare 2, budget oriented kind
Tata Nano- Want the convenience of a bike on a car kind of men
Figo/Baleno/Swift/Celerio/Ritz - Family man on strict budget, Kitna deti Hai?
Punto/Polo- Enthusiasts
Abarth Punto- None

4) Sub sized Sedans/ Wannabe Sedans
Dzire/Amaze/Indigo- Safe playing budget oriented men, Kitna deti Hai with a dikki/boot?

5) Sedans
Ciaz/Verna/Accent- (My first sedan) kind of men
City/Civic/Optra/Elantra- Financially well off yet safe playing men
Octavia/Laura- Financially well off and risk taking
men



6) SUVs & MUVs
Innova- Aam admi's Big car, Every taxi owners dream, Also cause Fortuner is out of budget.
Lodgy- People mover with a hint of style
Enjoy/Evalia- 5 star hotel's people mover, also cause Toyota Hiace/Mercedes Viano is too expensive
Endeavor- Enthusiasts, something different,
Fortuner- Safe playing, will Never off-road but want an SUV for the social image

7) Off roaders
Gypsy/Thar- Pure Enthusiasts, Men with Beards!
Roads/High speeds? What Roads? What's high speeds?...We go Off Roads.

8) Germans
Mercedes- Traditional, safe playing, mature owners
BMW- Taste for something different, enthusiasts, younger owners
Audi- Fans only
Volvo- Fans only, also cause my petrol head son wanted me to buy one

[agambhandari]

I can remember a few stereotypes, no offence to anybody

Almost every Tata Indica/Indigo/Innova = Taxi
Skoda is the white elephant
Opel Astra=Solid
Black SUV with tints=Gunda
White SUV= Politician
Mercedes is the ultimate car. Period

[ashwin489]

Well, the thread is called "stereotypes", so this is going to be unabashedly that.

Compact Sedans - VFM wallahs

Silver colour cars - Play it safe uncle

Red colour cars - Ruckus boys

WagonR - I don't care about cars, I just need them guy

Scorpio - Rowdy a.k.a aspiring politician

Fortuner - I made it, you better stay away brother

Micro crossovers - I am so vain, I only care about the plastic cladding masking the puny wheels

Bullet-proof BMW 7 series - Hypocrites

Mercedes cheapest variant Diesel - I made it, yet I can't enjoy it man

Volvo - You can all go to hell, I am going my way dude

[vb-saan]

In my opinion, stereotypes can be of two types – (1) formed by a brand/model because of its looks or the way it’s being used, and (2) just generalized opinions/perceptions.

A few examples of #1:

• A Dzire or an Innova is stereotyped as a taxi brand for the right reason. The tag is attached based on what you see on road. Here in Singapore private buyers stay away from white E-Class because its taxi image. No such issues with other colors of E-Class or any other Mercedes models.
• Mercedes models used to be known as an old man’s car, and Volvos were synonymous with boredom. Both these brands have managed to shrug off those stereotypes with their current gen models.

An example of #2:

• The post above – nothing wrong as such, but more of generalization from individual tastes and perceptions.

[SmartCat]

A certain bike has seen a big turnaround in public perception - the Enfield Bullet.

Just 10 years back, the Enfield Bullet was associated 'rough and tough' types on the street. But now, you meet the nicest people on Bullets (yeah, line flicked from Honda ad)

[hemanth.anand]

• 800 for many years, recently Swift- Dahej!
• 800, Alto-Learners, Stay away from them!
• All Toyotas except Fortuner-Taxi!
• Fortuner-Politico, Land sharks!
• Scorpio-Goon, Tailgater, Telugu movie convoy!
• Dzire-Ola, Uber!
• Datsun-Poor guy
• Fiat-Fanboys
• BMW-Bade baap ke bigde aulaad
• Audi-CEO
• Mercedes-Rich guy!
• Ambassador-Old politician, Kolkata taxi.
• Xylo-Bouncing ball

Edit:
Ah! there is one more set of cars Stereotyped by people-Have heard this from many friends/colleagues/family members:
Cars with Live To Drive stickers - Fast, Rash Drivers.
Although I don't have the LTD sticker on my car, many people come to me and tell this to me on seeing TBHP stickers on my car!

[ashwin489]

Originally Posted by smartcat

Just 10 years back, the Enfield Bullet was associated 'rough and tough' types on the street. But now, you meet the nicest people on Bullets (yeah, line flicked from Honda ad)

That also says a lot about the changing perceptions of masculinity, in the public consciousness.

Either that or RE has done some extraordinary marketing to expand its appeal to a wider demographic.

[ashutoshb]

Here in Delhi / Noida, a few I could think of:

White Scorpio / Safari : Political party worker.
White Fortuner : Senior Political Party Worker.
White Bolero following a White Scorpio / Safari: Junior political party workers.
White Land Cruiser: Minister's personal car.

Kwid / Celerio / Wagon R: Aam aadmi.
Hyundai / Maruti Big hatch / Small sedan : A little more affluent aam aadmi.

Volkswagen Polo: Rich guy's second car.

White Innova (any generation): Taxi
Innova in any other colour: Rich businessman.
Skoda Superb / Toyota Camry: Rich Businessman

Hyundai i20: Big boy.
Mahindra Thar: Jatt boy.
Maruti Baleno: Mid level executive.

Maruti Ciaz in white: Govt vehicle.
Maruti Ciaz in any other colour: Rich aam aadmi.

Honda City: Middle aged Doctor
Hyundai Verna: Young businessman.

Vitara Brezza / Ecosport: Mid level executive.

Any Mercedes: Rich businessman.
Any BMW: That rich businessman's kid.

[jetsetgo08]

Originally Posted by ashutoshb

Here in Delhi / Noida, a few I could think of:

I think that pretty much sums up, it is the same in most places in India.

Wonder where the XUV5OO fits?

[gkveda]

Good Ones ! They say, perception is NOT everything. But, looking at this thread, it seems that Perception is everything ! !

I would like to see this from different perspective.

What cars do the following professionals possess(Want to see the stereotypical view?

1. IT Professionals
2. Lawyers
3. Manufacturing Engineers
4. Civil Engineers
5. Cinema Heroes
6. Cinema Heroines
7. Cinema Villains
8. Cinema Comedians
9. Retired Government Engineers

Is there any commonality of thoughts !?

[Porcupine]

Well the few I can think of:

Tata Sumo - People Carriers
Maruti Omni - Yesteryear's Gunda Car
Toyota Fortuner - Politician
BMW - 'Car Enthusiast'
Audi - Fanboys
Mercedes - Rich Businessman

Also in London people generally stay away from Toyota Prius' and black E-Class' as these are the most common Ubers around!

[King_pin09]

Here goes my compilation of the stereotypes,

1. Nano – Me too own a car, count me in.
2. Alto, Kwid, Eon – Easy living.
3. Reva – Brought this different thing going by someone’s advice.
4. Wagon R – Play safe.
5. Indica – Available taxi.
6. Eeco, Omni – Share taxi
7. I10, Swift – An enthusiastic young chap.
8. I20, Jazz – Young buddy, started earning good income.
9. Punto, Linea – Beauty admirer but unaware of the consequences.
10. Ciaz, City, Vento, Rapid – Sober and well to do professional.
11. Ecosport, Duster, BR-V – Adventure loving city chap.
12. Brezza – Maruti loyalist seeking some adventure.
13. Mahindra commander – Police, Forest officer.
14. Mobilio, Ertiga - Taxi, large family.
15. Scorpio, Bolero, XUV 5oo – Goon, Budding politician.
16. Toyota Qualis, Etios, Liva, Innova, Tavera – Outstation Taxi.
17. Xylo, quanto, KUV, TUV – Countryside brute.
18. Corolla, Cruz, Elantra – Senior executive.
19. Fortuner, Safari – Well established politician / land shark.
20. Superb – Rich businessman.
21. BMW – Rich auto enthusiast.
22. Audi – Budding Celebrity, small time businessman, Top brass.
23. Mercedes – Rich businessman, Top brass, mid range celebrity.
24. Bentley, Porsche – Renowned tycoon, full time Celebrity.
25. Rolls Royce - Renowned tycoon, upscale celebrity.

[ashutoshb]

Originally Posted by hemanth.anand

Ah! there is one more set of cars Stereotyped by people-Have heard this from many friends/colleagues/family members:
Cars with Live To Drive stickers - Fast, Rash Drivers.

I agree. Most of the cars with TBHP stickers, I have seen on Noida / Delhi roads, were either being driven either rash or fast.

The common factor among them was, young drivers and modded cars. They do bring a bad name to the forum.

I say, lets have a thread to post videos of such drivers. If the video is found genuine (which is, if there is no personal vendetta behind the video), punishment can be decided by the mods.