[AJ56]

Originally Posted by aniketi

Not sure which car you are understanding as Ciaz. It's a proper, lengthy and spacious sedan. Though it has 1.5 Lit NA engine, it is quite capable car. It does all things a normal family man is looking for. Also it's very fuel efficient and has a very attractive pricing when compared to others. Currently great discounts are on which makes deal more sweet.

There is only one Suzuki Ciaz that was and is currently sold in India. City/Verna/Vento competitor.

For reference, size order would go something like- i10/Alto- microcar, Verna/City- subcompact, Jetta/Civic- compact, Accord/Camry- midsize, Avalon/Taurus - full size (source: US EPA standards, often applied globally)

[ac 427]

The Honda Brio.

The failure of this car baffles me.
As a hatchback, this ticked all the boxes
- was spacious
- was safe
- was powerful (relatively)
- had decent service network
- was cheap to maintain/run
- was good looking.

This car deserved to sell more.

[suryaj1990]

Chevrlet Trailblazer
The vehicle is so rare that not even many service units know this car ever sold in India. Many presume this to be an Import. The car was ahead of its time and can even today be compared to the Likes of the latest Fortuner or Endevoue. A True under dog! Floor it and you will be surprised how quick that American runs!


Skoda Yeti
I maybe wrong and offending quite a few but I feel the yeti looked like a mini LR Discovery! The vehicle was one of the first in its segment and was not welcomed due to the pricing. Although it was a wolf in sheep clothing! that 2.0tdi mated to a nice manual box along with the Haldex 4x4 unit with Golf underpinnings made this car unbeatable in winding roads and on straight stretches! Super silent, rev happy and excellent efficiency. The car was leagues ahead of the duster and offered everything. It was a go anywhere vehicle! It was a leech out on the road with amazing grip levels. I have never been more confident in any car like I was behind the wheels of the yeti and I wait for the day Skoda brings her back.

[maverick.munish]

Maruti Ritz
One such car in the early 2010's was the Maruti Suzuki Ritz.
When the world was fixated on the Swift, the Ritz was a half decent performer.

On an average, the company sold 2500-3000 units of Ritz per month, which was very low when compared to other models of the company at that time.

Hyundai Getz
This was another gem that was lost. It was similar to what an i20 is today. However, the market was not so evolved those days and big hatchbacks were not many.
The advantage of the Getz was its spacious cabin. It had oodles of rear legroom and was also quite comfortable.

Serial Killer for both the above: Maruti Swift

[ashkamath]

Originally Posted by ac 427

The Honda Brio.
The failure of this car baffles me.
This car deserved to sell more.

There's a saying about HONDA that I hear often amongst my friends. Honda is good at a lot of things, but not great/ outstanding in any one thing.

For example when we speak of German cars such as VW or Skoda, it's generally accepted that the build quality is 'Solid' and German engineering, by the thud of the door, as they say. So the USP of VW or Skoda are their build quality & engineering.

When we speak of TATA, their USP is safety. They may be good at many things, but they are great in Safety aspect and that is their USP.

When we speak of MARUTI, their USP is Fuel Efficiency. again they are good at other things such as ease of maintenance / service network, they have their negatives such as being called as 'Tin Cans', however their USP has been the Fuel Efficiency.

When we speak of TOYOTA, their USP is bullet proof engine. Many Toyota Innovas even after a decade or more of running, still runs like 'new' as they say.

When, we come to HONDA, they are good at everything. The engine is good, the brand name is good, their drive comfort, service is good, fuel efficiency is good, but there is not one USP, that strikes your mind when you think of HONDA. And as the Honda Advertisement sums it up: "You meet the nicest people on a Honda", nice people are happy with good or decent cars while discerning people go for the specific USP, the brand offers.

I have friends who say, I wanted fuel efficiency so bought a Maruti, I wanted safety, so bought a TATA or I wanted a solid build car, so went for VW or Skoda. The friends who bought a Honda, say we wanted an overall 'good' car. Not great in any particular thing, but good in all things. So every brand has a separate or unique set of followers or say loyalty based on what the brand brings to the table.

I like Honda a lot, When I buy a car, my personal preference is much inclined towards a 'solid built' car and thus focused on VW or Skoda for their perceived solid build. I perhaps may never buy a Honda inspite of, how nice a package, it offers.

[Joe367]

Originally Posted by suryaj1990

Skoda Yeti
I maybe wrong and offending quite a few but I feel the yeti looked like a mini LR Discovery! The vehicle was one of the first in its segment and was not welcomed due to the pricing.

Can someone explain what went wrong with this car? It was all around the television, newspapers and magazines when it was launched in India. Everyone had only good things to say about this car. I believe it was also marketed as the first 'Crossover' sold in India?

I have only seen 1 in my entire life - it was owned by our MLA back then.

[arnav17]

Originally Posted by maverick.munish

Maruti Ritz
One such car in the early 2010's was the Maruti Suzuki Ritz.

Hyundai Getz
This was another gem that was lost.

Serial Killer for both the above: Maruti Swift

The exact two cars I was about to quote!
We own a Ritz petrol and needless to say its an underrated hatchback. The getz is just one family circle away and is with us sometimes when the Ritz is busy. Both are excellent hatchbacks, especially the ride part of it. Excellent insulation and the sound of the Getz' engine is mesmerizing, atleast for me.

[Fuldagap]

Originally Posted by suryaj1990

Skoda Yeti

Originally Posted by Joe367

I have only seen 1 in my entire life - it was owned by our MLA back then.

India has a propensity to fail many brilliant cars. Yeti is one of those unfotunate ones.
Here is Jeremy Clarkson going all gaga over it. One of the many best road tests out of TG.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7kEJ-pHkWA

Originally Posted by ac 427

The Honda Brio.

This car deserved to sell more.

Brio had a great chassis. 88 PS of power. VTEC. A mileage of ~20 kmpl. Fantastic inisde space. Even tall drivers had no issues. Who knows why it didn't sell.

[Joe367]

Originally Posted by Fuldagap

Brio had a great chassis. 88 PS of power. VTEC. A mileage of ~20 kmpl. Fantastic inisde space. Even tall drivers had no issues. Who knows why it didn't sell.

We had considered buying the base model Brio as our first car back in 2015. The boot space simply wasn't enough for us - it was the only reason why we dropped it.

[suryaj1990]

Originally Posted by Fuldagap

India has a propensity to fail many brilliant cars. Yeti is one of those unfotunate ones.
Here is Jeremy Clarkson going all gaga over it. One of the many best road tests out of TG. https://www.Youtube.com/watch?v=E7kEJ-pHkWA

:

A True Sleeper in the market. they don't make cars like this! Wish we had more options such as the Yeti! A compact and practical SUV, mile muncher and 4x4

[Cresterk]

Originally Posted by ac 427

The Honda Brio.

The failure of this car baffles me.
As a hatchback, this ticked all the boxes
- was spacious
- was safe
- was powerful (relatively)
- had decent service network
- was cheap to maintain/run
- was good looking.

This car deserved to sell more.

It looked ugly as hell, especially in the rear. Funky looking small cars generally don’t sell well here because a car is a major investment for most people.

[Bibendum90949]

Originally Posted by Cresterk

It looked ugly as hell, especially in the rear.

Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder .

[ruskinash]

Originally Posted by Cresterk

Funky looking small cars generally don’t sell well here because a car is a major investment for most people.

Let's not be quick to dismiss the sales figures of the first-generation Santro in India.
I admit that you mentioned "generally".

[Cresterk]

Originally Posted by ruskinash

Let's not be quick to dismiss the sales figures of the first-generation Santro in India.
I admit that you mentioned "generally".

Santro was a 3L car.

Brio was a 5-7L car.

When you are buying cars from the cheapest segment, you are willing to compromise on looks.

When you are buying from a segment up, you can afford to be choosy about looks and most people do not want to look like they bought a toy car.

[Flyingdutchman]

I had very high hopes when Astor was launched.Its 5 star Global NCAP rating and international presence along with long list of features had me rushing to the showroom to see it in flesh. I even booked the car in first slot but had to cancel the booking only for 2 reasons. Engine and Turbo. Yes the turbo was fun to drive but NA engine was quite underwhelming especially with 5 persons onboard. Poor Fuel economy didn't help either. And comes the most important factor, which VW/Skoda also overlooked when they launched Kushaq/Taigun, SPACE.Most Indians often correlate price with quantity/Size. German Twins looks like Jacked up Hatchbacks. And as far as Astor is concerned, although exterior size was somewhat okay, Interior space was shockingly scarce especially the rear seats.Also Tall drivers would experience that their knee was constantly touching the centre console(noticable in Manual Variants) which I believe was a design oversight.
Large,Boxy Design along with spacious interior played a very important part in success of Creta/Seltos which gave them a pseudo SUV stance.