[gomzi]

Audi : TT, Won LeMans with Diesel, The "transporters" car!, great light designs, superb quality, underdog against the big 2

BMW : M-power, ultimate drivers cars, aggressive designs but bangled look doesn't suit all models, superb quality

Chevrolet : Big US car-maker selling korean stuff, good C Segment car, spark

Fiat : Next best thing to a Ferrari, superb designs, undervalued brand - getting better,

Ford : need new models across range, treat Indian market like dustbin - never brought contemporary international models to India

HM : babu's cars, outdated, got lazy under government protection, did not evolve

Honda : finally made a good car (ANHC) after OHC, too pricey, snobbish brand

Hyundai : well-made VFM cars, keeps copying designs for high-end models

Mahindra: Scorpio started of well, but now suspension is too soft for comfort, needs to expand range beyond SUV's

Maini : great concept, need to make bigger cars with more range. Needs many re-fuelling points to be a success

Maruti : cheap small cars, reliable mechanicals (my experience), skinny underspec tyres, not enough importance to safety features, good A** network but hopelessly overcrowded/ok quality (my experience)

Mercedes : Luxury & comfort, superb quality, most prestigious next to RR, AMG

Mitsubishi : Good cars, missed opportunity in Indian market.

Nissan : the GTR rocks! Nothing else to base a perception on though

Skoda : Overvalued brand, pathetic service quality & attitude (based on t-bhp threads)

Tata : VFM cars - truly more car per car - best interior room in any of their segments, need to improve quality - interior and mechanical (i've not yet seen the Manza)

Toyota : Biggest car maker, good cars, high-end luxury cars and ugly people carriers, no style/flair

VW : The Beetle, German peoples car, superb quality

Disclaimer: I currently own a Maruti Wagon-R and Tata Indigo CS. Previous family cars owned include '02 Hyundai Accent, '99 Maruti Zen, Premier 118NE and a '69 Fiat 1100D

[thamban]

Audi : Luxury for boys less than 35 yrs of age.

BMW : Luxury for men above 35 yrs of age

Chevrolet: Korean products badged as American except Captiva and Cruze. Not VFM contrary to popular perception. Its cheap.

Fiat: Car for the senses and the heart. You fall in love with it.

Ford: VFM. Handling. Reliablity. Poor resale value.

HM: Actually they should sell cars that looks similar to London Taxi on the Amby platform. Vintage is not a head turner now.

Honda: VFM if you are going to keep the car for 10+ years. Reliable. High Resale Value

Hyundai: Reliable but ages soon. Value Pricing. Car gets obsolete before driver wants it to be.

Mahindra: Poor man's Pajero.

Maini: Why should all electric cars look as if it has been dropped by aliens?

Maruti : Real VFM. Funky Stying that never gets obsolete. High Resale Value. Best A.S.S. Low Build Quality (Rattling).

Mercedes : Luxury for the chauffeur driven men/boys of all ages.

Mitsubishi : VFM in the segment. Driver's Car. Reliability, Handling. Cars will last more than the driver. Engineering at its best.

Nissan : They need to bring in small car and not luxury limos.

Skoda : VFM to buy, but expensive to maintain. Poor man's Mercedes.

Tata : Amby of the 80's. India's own but not for private use.

Toyota : Practical but boring. Low maintenance cost. Good A.S.S. Build Quality and Reliability

VW : Need their small cars. Passat seems to be good VFM with maintenance package.

[thermalpaste]

Audi : Tries to imitate the BMW and the Merc in a very German sense; betters the Merc in terms of reliability and equipment and makes the gorgeous Q7 which is way better than the X5 or the ML.

BMW : Pedestrian killer (See EuroNCAP ratings) + Excellent build and interiors + Gorgeous alloys + Best electrics for a German car

Chevrolet : Unsafe cars -- The Optra, Aveo, UV-A are all unsafe.

Fiat : If you can't afford a German tank, this one's for you. Typically European; faulty and fussy electrics included.

Ford : Re-packaged phased out cars for India.

Honda : Pompous Japanese manufacturer; stingy levels of equipment

Hyundai : Styled by people who have spaniels for lunch (Just quoting Jeremy, please don't take me seriously on this) and who have re-invented standards for measuring the power output of their cars... A 90 Hp Hyundai probably produces 70.

Mahindra: Makes reliable vehicles. They probably outsourced designing to a rural firm.

Maini : Maker of electric vehicles on a mission to save the world from global warming only not to realize that a majority of cars sold are recharged by energy from inefficient coal plants.

Maruti :Reliable Japanese tin boxes. Fault-free electrics

Mercedes : W124 is the last true Mercedes. Horrible wiring harness, faulty electrics, excellent ride-quality, aggressive castor angles that make the car pull to the left.

Skoda : Poor customer service, have no idea why this car commands a premium in India.

Tata : Arguably the best Indian manufacturer, but not motivated enough to improve quality.

Toyota : Most reliable, bland boring designs, excellent customer service.

VW : Why buy a Skoda when you can get a similar car (platform-wise) with better customer service?

[agbenny]

Originally Posted by thermalpaste

Audi : Tries to imitate the BMW and the Merc in a very German sense; betters the Merc in terms of reliability and equipment and makes the gorgeous Q7 which is way better than the X5 or the ML.

BMW : Pedestrian killer (See EuroNCAP ratings) + Excellent build and interiors + Gorgeous alloys + Best electrics for a German car

Chevrolet : Unsafe cars -- The Optra, Aveo, UV-A are all unsafe.

Fiat : If you can't afford a German tank, this one's for you. Typically European; faulty and fussy electrics included.

Ford : Re-packaged phased out cars for India.

Honda : Pompous Japanese manufacturer; stingy levels of equipment

Hyundai : Styled by people who have spaniels for lunch (Just quoting Jeremy, please don't take me seriously on this) and who have re-invented standards for measuring the power output of their cars... A 90 Hp Hyundai probably produces 70.

Mahindra: Makes reliable vehicles. They probably outsourced designing to a rural firm.

Maini : Maker of electric vehicles on a mission to save the world from global warming only not to realize that a majority of cars sold are recharged by energy from inefficient coal plants.

Maruti :Reliable Japanese tin boxes. Fault-free electrics

Mercedes : W124 is the last true Mercedes. Horrible wiring harness, faulty electrics, excellent ride-quality, aggressive castor angles that make the car pull to the left.

Skoda : Poor customer service, have no idea why this car commands a premium in India.

Tata : Arguably the best Indian manufacturer, but not motivated enough to improve quality.

Toyota : Most reliable, bland boring designs, excellent customer service.

VW : Why buy a Skoda when you can get a similar car (platform-wise) with better customer service?

You have sorted out and summarized nicely - But I do not agree with your comment on GM cars. Yesterday, an Optra hit a Transformer here. Transformer was seriously damaged. The owner was safe, though Optra too had some injuries.

[McLaren Rulez]

Originally Posted by thermalpaste

Chevrolet : Unsafe cars -- The Optra, Aveo, UV-A are all unsafe.

Originally Posted by agbenny

You have sorted out and summarized nicely - But I do not agree with your comment on GM cars. Yesterday, an Optra hit a Transformer here. Transformer was seriously damaged. The owner was safe, though Optra too had some injuries.

Would someone quote the crash safety rating for the Optra? Perhaps thermalpaste could quote the data that led him to his conclusion.

And seeing one crash and concluding that a car is "safe" is silly. There's an element of luck in every real world crash. The crashes conducted by safety institutes, who recreate the same type of crash for every car they test, are the only sources of data you should be looking at.

[DaiKatana]

These are some of the emotions that these brand names evoke in me and not necessarily what these marquees stand for in reality... so here goes

Audi : Well-engineered, expensive cars

BMW : Passion, exclusivity

Chevrolet : American junk!

Fiat : Style

Ford : More American junk!

HM : Antique!

Honda : Over-priced

Hyundai : VFM

Mahindra: Heavy-weight

Maini : Cute, eco-friendly

Maruti : Total VFM

Mercedes : Over-rated

Mitsubishi : Rally-specialists

Skoda : Wannabe VW

Tata : Cheap, iffy!

Toyota : Precision, VFM

VW : Teutonic tanks!

[GTO]

The replies make for some very interesting reading. I'm seeing a lot of extremes (either positive or negative) for some brands in particular.

[nixie89]

There comes a stage when a brand grows up too matured to be rated on basic ingredients. For example : product quality and technology is so identical for BMW, Audi or a Merc,I am sure each wil score top rating if you have to rate them..So what differentiates these from each other ???

For another category of brands like Honda,Toyota,hyundai, etc...they still have along way to catch up with European brands like Renault, Citroen,VW and Fiat in terms of customer acceptance.They might be the largest automaker in the world but how well they perform in competitive market like Europe !!!!
Not only in Europe, they are yet to grow as big as Suzuki in Asian markets like India.Suzuki might not be counted among the best car in this world, but they are still way ahead from any car maker in the most promising market and they continue to grom bigger and bigger.

[RajaTaurus]

Audi : Utility First
BMW : Engineering First.
Chevrolet : Size and weight First.
Fiat : Style First.
Ford : Recycle (designs) First.
Honda : Brainwash First.
Hyundai : Compromise First.
Mahindra: Utility First.
Maruti : Mass appeal First
Mercedes : Luxury First
Mitsubishi: Performance First
Nissan: Speed first. (Ask Maxima owners).
Skoda : ---- first? Surely service last.
Tata : Cabs first.
Toyota : Reliability First.
VW : People First(!)
Volvo: Safety First.

[Caramelo]

here is how i like to look at brands.

Audi : timeless designs, every car has bigger and stronger road presence(go ahead compare it), understated elegance, class, quality, strength, power.

BMW : sporty, simple, elegant, but lacks something now wow factor, now snobby!!

Fiat : best designs!, best engines, if only they can improve ***! strong contender in future! bring chrysler to india!

Ford : lack of product portfolio, ford is known for suvs across the globe bring in some new suvs. the new mondeo, escape hybrid etc then it will get back its repuation!!

HM : mitsubishi should just break the tie up!

Honda : give us the features. not just the cars, current no 1, future bleek! (europeans, koreans and others will kill the competition)

Hyundai : cheap in terms of brand perception but real value for money! and it has better quality than the most! does not skips on goodies!

Mahindra: strong vehicles, weird designs, bring out a sexy SUV, a sedan, something new, something fresh! updating scorpios since last decades!!

Maruti : the best products at value prices, best ***, kizashi will break a lot of perceptions!

Mercedes : true class!! 100% refinement, elegegant, extravagant. outsanding! word BEST comes to me mind,

Mitsubishi : excelent SUVs, understands the road better than everyone. quality products, but reliablity and *** is questionable!

Nissan : started on the wrong footing, teana is old bring out the maxima! and make it hear and cheaper too! honda is better i, these guys skimp on features and provide them at a price!

Skoda : best and standing out vehicles, the design language is totally different! vehicles are superb! need more responsible dealers. with the advent of VW! hope this brands does not gets lost!

Tata : good vehicles, comfortable, cheap too! but not brand wow factor! would give it a miss when it comes to real car buying!

Toyota : honda's rival, i prefer this one, they are never radical in style, but they have class, quality is evident in all of it vehicles, most reliable and long lasting cars!!

VW: i prefer this brand to all! premium stuff at non premium prices

[joshguy]

Here are my perceptions..

Audi : Solid built,but lacks styling (A8 =A6's brother,A6=A4's Brother)

BMW : Luxury blend with Sporty looks,only young will like it

Chevrolet : Nice car but no brand value due to cars like AVEO,U-VA

Fiat : Good in diesel,pathetic *** and no resale value (now they are trying to change it)

Ford :Excellent cars with fantastic drivebality : Expensive service and spares cost keep most people away from it

HM : Grand mother of india -I guess its time for us to celebrate centenary for AMBY

Honda : Gem of a engine,Latest technology,superb ***. Perceived brand value is high but suspensions are not up to mark for Indian conditions

Hyundai : Once a considered as garbage, now coal (definitely am not accepting it as coal or diamond-Korean is Korean)

Mahindra: Another indian company whose products are far better that TATA (when it comes to SUV,Offroading ,solid built)

*Hate the ride in scorpio,Cramped seats in Bolero
*Excellent torque engines
*Like the Jeeps though !
* FAR FAR BETTER THAT SUMO ,RIHNO


Maini : Not my cup of coffee

Maruti : Considered as better product only due to the facts

* First Auto MNC to entry into india (1980s) hence top of the mind
* Perceived as good brand ,because those days HM,PAL never knew what was customer service/satisfaction
* I feel that product are "all rounders" and to BEST in any parameter (except for the MASS network)

Mercedes : LUXURY,SOLID ,RICH

Mitsubishi : Diamond from Japanfell into sewage tank !(sorry if hurt any one)

Nissan : 3rd Best Japanese Car

Skoda : Was it born for VWs Step mother? Solid as tank ,Expensive to the core

Tata : Mass CAB producers ,Cheap automobiles as far as running cost is considered. Quality consistently "INCONSISTENT" ,Indian Pride hops to becom better and better everyday.

Toyota :No1 BRAND,1NO Quality,NO1 Customer service,No1 in resale value
But The products sold here are not upto date like the HONDAs


And now.........................


STANDARD 2000: First car in India to have power steering,power windows , had tots of space.Lost in the game due to problems in the management

[karanraheja]

Audi : Styling rocks, engine rocks but lack in reliability .

BMW : Luxury , elegant styling and awesome Engineering.

Chevrolet: Korean cars branded as Chevy , Unexciting products, A.S.S. also aint great , Need a small diesel engine badly.

Fiat: Styling , build quality and awesome engines. A.S.S. could be better

Ford: Tailor Made for India cars, fun to drive butttt heavy on pocket.

HM: Dadaji

Honda: Style, awesome engines , stingy on equipment , decent A.S.S,
good resale.

Hyundai: Getting close to Maruti, Styling improving big time with i10,i20 ,
i40, awesome A.S.S , but kinda overpriced. Watch out for this
manufacturer

Mahindra: Tough vehicles, poor handling but VFM.

Maini: Could be marketed better.

Maruti : A.S.S. , VFM , small cars ka baap.

Mercedes : Status , Superb Engineering and build quality but feeling the heat from competitors.

Mitsubishi : Drivers car, Exciting products but lack in the marketing & A.S.S.

Nissan : Weird styling

Skoda : Lack in reliability , A.S.S , superb built and engines but styling is too common

Tata : VFM, space , reliability still needs to set a benchmark

Toyota :Practical , Reliable, Better A.S.S than Honda , but lack a bit in styling . Still has to be pick of the lot.

VW : Engineering at its best .



Awesome feedback.The following comments had me in splits

Originally Posted by RajaTaurus

Honda : Brainwash First.

Originally Posted by DaiKatana

Chevrolet : American junk!

Ford : More American junk!

Originally Posted by thamban

Mahindra: Poor man's Pajero.

[anumod]

BMW : An example of Good design and Implementation (Overall engineering).

Chevrolet: Far better than Hyundai, but the old GM image bad *** and heavy to maintain follows it still.

Fiat: Didn't make use of the opportunity initially, now struggling to come out of the muddy road which they created (Bad *** and poor management). People are affraid to go for Fiat.

Ford: Don't know how to market their products. Good machines are with them but failed to impress the Indian community as a whole. Still industry is wrapped with them "difficult to maintain" badge. Management needs to act differently.
HM: Never react to market conditions. They are still living in the late 80's
Honda: They know how to loot Indian Consumers. But good reliable products.
Hyundai: A good example of how marketing can create wonders.
Mahindra: Starting from Willys, they know the mind sets of Indian customers.
Maruti : Conquerred Indian hearts since beginning. They will some how make each product to be a success one. Played nicely with the discounting schemes game.
Mercedes : Still lot many Indians say mercedez is their dream brand.
Mitsubishi : Made a big mistake to have the tie-up with HM.
Skoda : Very good relaible International brand bombed in the indian market in terms of reliability.
Tata : Made for india, In India and By Indians. So it lacks professionalism in all aspects. But slowly picking up. but way to go.
Toyota :Another Japanese winner. But doesn't give a "Gango" feeling to anybody. Not value for money at all.
VW : Needs to learn about Indian market more then launch new products.

[ac 427]

Audi : Technological Leaders

BMW : Chiseled jawed models, but models that know how to perform.

Chevrolet : Rock Balboa: old hero, was great when he was young but no one wants to see him in his steriod avatar. Please go away.

Fiat (india) : Performance based vehicles.

Ford : The American Performer.

HM : Cockroach (looks like it will outlast everyone.)

Honda : Reliable performer, like our old Manoj Jubilee Kumar, nothing extremely flamboyant like SRK or Hrithik Roshan, but goes about doing its business and has a silver jubilee for every of his film.

Hyundai : A compromise.

Mahindra: Indian Pride.

Maini : wht is this ?

Maruti : The love of India.

Mercedes : Snob Value. Pinnacle of automobiles.

Mitsubishi : Great Debut, but no follow up, something like the hero of the hit hindi movie 'love story'. great debut, but nothing afterthat.

Nissan : Non existent in India.

Skoda : the blue collared brother of volkswagen, the one who does all the hard work.

Tata : Fighters, against critics.

Toyota : Reliable, but extremely boring.

VW : the white collared guys, extremely regimented, extremely calculative.

cheers,
ac

[thewhiteknight]

I havent been updating the sheet here because there havent been too many replies, but here is the update as of now.