Ford Edsel Like Failed Models From Indian Car Makers

anjan_c2007 · 15th August 2009, 15:02

The Ford Edsel of 1957 is synonymous with failed models in the world of automobiles of this age.Being a car that attracted all the spotlight before its launch, the car bombed very soon and sales were less than expected in the first year since the launch. It was publicised as a very new design but shared its body parts with other Fords. The car incorporated rolling dome speedo, soft touch gears at the centre of the steering, self adjusting brakes and so on. By 1959 the car was discontinued.

Ford Edsel Like Failed Models From Indian Car Makers-1fordedsel.jpg

Ford Edsel Like Failed Models From Indian Car Makers-58edsel42.jpg

pictures: google images
In our industry we have had many Edsel like four wheelers and I would describe a few manufacturer wise. Mahindra and Mahindra and Premier Automobiles have no such model or models so to speak of perhaps. But I hope fellow bhpians will fill in the gaps with their knowledge of any more such failures.
Hindustan Motors- they launched a 1700 plus cc model of the petrol engined Ambassador in the late 1970's which did not take off. The HM Porter a station wagon based on the Ambassador design also did not take off in the early 1980's.
Standard Motors- The Standard Gazel an Indian designed Herald failed to click after its launch in 1970. It was supposed to take care of the body and suspension shortcomings of the Herald but failed miserably leading the company to its doom days. The failure of the Standard 2000 (1985-1989) again gave the company nightmares crashlanding its finances from which it never recovered.
Daewoo Motors- the Cielo and the Matiz were selling well but the company's finance planning went awry and the whole company bombed worldwide. Was the end of the road for the Cielo and Matiz in India.
Opels from GM- The Opel Astra and Corsa were launched with upmarket images in India, but GM, one fine day realised that the Daewoo it has bought, may, if marketed under a popular name "Chevrolet" turn on its fortunes in India. Only time will tell whether their decision has gone well with the market.
Our market has become very competitive and we may find more failures in our list with the passage of time.

agspins · 15th August 2009, 15:11

Not to forget adventures of Sipani's like Badal,Montana,D1 and Montego's.
Mahindra too had one in form of Voyager..

Dillu-TVM · 15th August 2009, 15:28

Another (ad)venture from Sipani Automobiles-DOLPHIN- a fibre glass bodied car also dis'nt had a good take off..May be , our evertine small car success Maruti 800 may have eclipsed the demand for the car.

aaggoswami · 15th August 2009, 22:10

I would like to add Baleno. This car was better than OHC ( G1HC ), Ikon, Accent and Lancer. Baleno was one car that was best appreciated when it was about to be discontinued.

AlokSriva · 15th August 2009, 22:41

According to me, following should be added to the list -
Versa
Baleno Altura (estate model)
Suzuki Grand Vitara XL7 (maybe it should not figure here as it was never manufactured in India)
Contessa
Ford Escort
Ford Fusion in its previous avtaar
Ford Mondeo (again can be given benefit of doubt)
Opel Vectra (this too can be given benefit of doubt)
Siena
Uno
Palio Adventure
Petra
Forester
Sonata
Fabia
Sumo Grande
Indigo Marina (though not too sure about this one - whether it deserves a place on this list)
NE118
Tata Estate and Sierra

anekho · 15th August 2009, 23:14

The chevrolet srv - it failed!

cheers

MileCruncher · 16th August 2009, 07:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by aaggoswami

I would like to add Baleno. This car was better than OHC ( G1HC ), Ikon, Accent and Lancer. Baleno was one car that was best appreciated when it was about to be discontinued.

+1

Quite a few friends of mine have it and I myself once had the Baleno on Self Drive for a week. Awesome car in terms of pick-up, AC and FE. You drive the car whole day at 140 KMPH and it still returns 12KMPL.

The last VXi's even came with Climate control at 6 Lakhs or so.

Others failed but good cars in India as already mentioned by others

Uno Petrol
Palio Adventure ( lookinng for one)
Corsa Swing
Baleno Altura (like it very much)

McLaren Rulez · 16th August 2009, 10:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by anekho

The chevrolet srv - it failed!

cheers

Haha this should be the topper. I've seen only one all my life.

siedo · 16th August 2009, 11:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by McLaren Rulez

Haha this should be the topper. I've seen only one all my life.

well if you put it in the segment of san storm and chinkara . The car may not feature in the list. Correct me if i am wrong

v12 · 16th August 2009, 11:19

Hi guys,

We have a similar topic running into 14 pages here - > Flop cars in our market.

Please continue further dicussions there. Topic locked.

15th August 2009, 15:02	#1
anjan_c2007 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: India Posts: 8,714 Thanked: 22,969 Times View My Garage	Ford Edsel Like Failed Models From Indian Car Makers The Ford Edsel of 1957 is synonymous with failed models in the world of automobiles of this age.Being a car that attracted all the spotlight before its launch, the car bombed very soon and sales were less than expected in the first year since the launch. It was publicised as a very new design but shared its body parts with other Fords. The car incorporated rolling dome speedo, soft touch gears at the centre of the steering, self adjusting brakes and so on. By 1959 the car was discontinued. pictures: google images In our industry we have had many Edsel like four wheelers and I would describe a few manufacturer wise. Mahindra and Mahindra and Premier Automobiles have no such model or models so to speak of perhaps. But I hope fellow bhpians will fill in the gaps with their knowledge of any more such failures. Hindustan Motors- they launched a 1700 plus cc model of the petrol engined Ambassador in the late 1970's which did not take off. The HM Porter a station wagon based on the Ambassador design also did not take off in the early 1980's. Standard Motors- The Standard Gazel an Indian designed Herald failed to click after its launch in 1970. It was supposed to take care of the body and suspension shortcomings of the Herald but failed miserably leading the company to its doom days. The failure of the Standard 2000 (1985-1989) again gave the company nightmares crashlanding its finances from which it never recovered. Daewoo Motors- the Cielo and the Matiz were selling well but the company's finance planning went awry and the whole company bombed worldwide. Was the end of the road for the Cielo and Matiz in India. Opels from GM- The Opel Astra and Corsa were launched with upmarket images in India, but GM, one fine day realised that the Daewoo it has bought, may, if marketed under a popular name "Chevrolet" turn on its fortunes in India. Only time will tell whether their decision has gone well with the market. Our market has become very competitive and we may find more failures in our list with the passage of time.
	() Thanks

15th August 2009, 15:11	#2
agspins Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: MH-31 Posts: 1,660 Thanked: 532 Times View My Garage	Not to forget adventures of Sipani's like Badal,Montana,D1 and Montego's. Mahindra too had one in form of Voyager.. Last edited by agspins : 15th August 2009 at 15:13.
	() Thanks

15th August 2009, 15:28	#3
Dillu-TVM Newbie Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Trivandrum, Kerala Posts: 14 Thanked: 0 Times	Another (ad)venture from Sipani Automobiles-DOLPHIN- a fibre glass bodied car also dis'nt had a good take off..May be , our evertine small car success Maruti 800 may have eclipsed the demand for the car.
	() Thanks

15th August 2009, 22:10	#4
aaggoswami Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Vadodara Posts: 4,997 Thanked: 3,012 Times	I would like to add Baleno. This car was better than OHC ( G1HC ), Ikon, Accent and Lancer. Baleno was one car that was best appreciated when it was about to be discontinued.
	() Thanks

15th August 2009, 22:41	#5
AlokSriva BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Fremont Posts: 486 Thanked: 72 Times	According to me, following should be added to the list - Versa Baleno Altura (estate model) Suzuki Grand Vitara XL7 (maybe it should not figure here as it was never manufactured in India) Contessa Ford Escort Ford Fusion in its previous avtaar Ford Mondeo (again can be given benefit of doubt) Opel Vectra (this too can be given benefit of doubt) Siena Uno Palio Adventure Petra Forester Sonata Fabia Sumo Grande Indigo Marina (though not too sure about this one - whether it deserves a place on this list) NE118 Tata Estate and Sierra Last edited by AlokSriva : 15th August 2009 at 22:48.
	() Thanks

15th August 2009, 23:14	#6
anekho Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: . Posts: 1,997 Thanked: 685 Times	The chevrolet srv - it failed! cheers
	() Thanks

16th August 2009, 11:19	#10
v12 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 6,773 Thanked: 7,569 Times View My Garage	Hi guys, We have a similar topic running into 14 pages here - > Flop cars in our market. Please continue further dicussions there. Topic locked.
	() Thanks