Car brands that you are inexplicably loyal to!

Finject · 26th May 2010, 15:16

IMHO, an important factor in most buying decisions is the brand or company manufacturing the product. For example, the Beat may be a better car than the Wagon R on paper, but the typical Indian household will still prefer the Maruti to a Chevy, owing to the age old relationship he has had with the brand.

On this thread, I hope to get people to indicate their most preferred brands on the Indian car scene. Mine are:

1> Mahindra: I don't know if it's the masculine and rugged positioning, or the fact that the first motor vehicle I aspired to own was a MM540, I just find myself scavenging every piece of Mahindra news that comes my way. I bought a Xylo over the Innova, so there!

2> Amby: The neta gaadi has always been aspirational to me, and I hope someone reinvents the brand whilst maintaining their classic look, and also upgrades its specs to compete with the newer generation. Hoping to pick one up in the future!

3> Honda: Always dependable. Always innovative. Always a great car!

manjith_pm · 26th May 2010, 19:02

finject,have to agree to your statement.
I personally am a japanese car freak.I've had toyota's,honda's and suzuki's by the dozen.its more a mind over the heart decision.not to deny that other manufacturers make bad cars but the japanese and asian makers have an idea about indian conditions although the americans are catching up with the likes of figo and fiesta.So at times it's more about the segment and price range you're looking at.today many people are taking to beat because of its pricing and three year maintenance pack.so the state of choices remains primarily at the user's end.

prince_pervez · 26th May 2010, 19:04

If I have to mention one. It will be Maruti Suzuki. They are the best in terms of pricing and after sales. Plus I own 2 from their stable.

.anshuman · 26th May 2010, 19:06

After owning several cars over last decade i am loyal to none of the Manufacturers, not that i was unsatisfied but, I have had very good ownership experience with most of the cars i have owned. I buy a Car because i like that Car not the Brand.

Quote:

Originally Posted by manjith_pm

the japanese and asian makers have an idea about indian conditions although the americans are catching up with the likes of figo and fiesta.

Each and every Honda has major ground clearance issues (Except CRV obviously) and Most Marutis From Zen to SX4 have major rattling issues.

Zero Cool · 26th May 2010, 19:21

It would be Maruti for me. After owning 3 accents ( 2 petrol and 1 crdi) i switched to an SX4 and i sure am happy. Some pathetic looser scratched my 2 months old car with a key all over and day before yesterday one of my wheels punctured,on inspection it came to light that the Tyre had actually burst. so today i went to Apra auto and they assured me not only that they are gonna replace the burst tyre but also buff my car all over and get rid of the scratches...all for free. This kind of treatment cannot be expected out of even toyota and honda, and certainly not from ford and skoda. I remember once folks from Maruti came home to have a look at the wheel alignment problem in out 800.

Maruti knows how to keep a customer happy. Hyundai does not even come close. I have already booked a Polo but now owing to long waiting periods and Maruti's customer service im thinking of switching to a Swift. Even if that doesnt happen I am definitely gonna buy Kizashi when its out.

A350XWB · 26th May 2010, 19:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by .anshuman

After owning several cars over last decade i am loyal to none of the Manufacturers, not that i was unsatisfied but, I have had very good ownership experience with most of the cars i have owned. I buy a Car because i like that Car not the Brand.

+1 to that. I don't usually look at the brand when I want to buy a car. My first car was to be an Alto, but later changed my decision to buy either a Santro or a Wagon R. Test drove both and picked the Santro because it fit my needs better. My next car will be a diesel as my running justifies it and currently, the two in my mind are i20 CRDi or the Grande Punto (if they come up with the 90PS VGT) or even a Linea MJD (I need decent power on the diesel because I drive a lot on the highway). Give me a decently powered diesel sedan/big hatch, I'll take it. No choice of brands, all are welcome

HammerHead · 26th May 2010, 19:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by .anshuman

I buy a Car because i like that Car not the Brand.

Well said

IMO sticking to a brand has some negatives 'also'.
1. You don't get to enjoy 'strengths' of other brand.
2. You get the same experience throughout life, I mean isn't it boring?

Samurai · 26th May 2010, 19:59

I have previously owned Toyota, Maruti, Mercury (Ford), Chevy, Acura (Honda), and currently own Suzuki, Mahindra and Hyundai brand vehicles.

Sorry, I am not loyal to any brand. I might prefer one brand over other based on past experience or reputation. But I will not buy from or stick to any brand blindly.

lamborghini · 26th May 2010, 20:03

I am very loyal to Ford.
We have been very happy with our past 3 purchases. However, there is no doubt that if there is a significantly better competitor, we will go for that option.
However, ford typically excels in FTD cars, and that is a main criteria for me.
Another company is Fiat. We had a siena and then a Palio GTX.
Who knows, our next car could be one of these brands again.

KiloAlpha · 26th May 2010, 20:12

I am not too sure about brand loyalty - I don't think being loyal to a brand is a good idea. There is just so much you potentially miss out on! Plus, I think brand loyalty is misplaced. Just buy a car that suits your needs.

Having said that, there are brands I am partial to and brands I will tend to discount from my shortlist.
I am partial to Ford, Fiat and Nissan. I tend to discount cars from GM and Toyota.

PAVAN KADAM · 26th May 2010, 20:15

Myself to the VW.

Both my rides are over 40 years, and yet ride like new, almost 0% maintainence and above all no niggles.

Any German made VW i am game for it.

TATA for my Safari Dicor, 4th year and troublefree ride. I will buy some more TATA's for sure in the future.

Maruti only for my 1997 M-800, for a good run for over 2 and odd lac kms and still my daily drive, I dont like any cars Maruti makes now.

Deawoo for our best BIG small car Matiz, 10 years and almost troublefree. Now they dont exist anymore.

vkochar · 26th May 2010, 20:17

My brand would be HYUNDAI.

Having first bought the Santro in 1998 - 1999 when it launched first and then buying 3 more. Then the Accent and now the Verna - both which I still have.

Never really had a problem with Hyundai's - it's never stalled, never gone to the mechanic, just get it serviced routinely and fill up all the necessary liquids it needs - and that's it. BUT then I suppose that is with all the vehicles nowadays.

I still prefer Hyundai as I have always had a pleasant experience with them. Never an unpleasing one.

Shan2nu · 26th May 2010, 22:14

We have a Honda, Toyota and a Suzuki at home. So we've never been that loyal to any of the brands in particular.

And i took a liking to Honda mainly bcoz of the OHC VTEC. The present models aren't as exciting to drive.

Shan2nu

Minardi · 27th May 2010, 00:28

Our first four cars are by different manufacturers - Maruti, Daewoo, Hyundai and Fiat in that order. But I am a big Fiat and Mitsubishi fan

khoj · 27th May 2010, 01:32

Loyal to Maserati but only to the extent of my belief that if there is a manufacturer who knows how to produce cars that have the best looks and proportions it is Maserati.

As a buying customer my loyalty is only to myself.

26th May 2010, 15:16	#1
Finject BHPian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Mumbai Posts: 99 Thanked: Once	Car brands that you are inexplicably loyal to! IMHO, an important factor in most buying decisions is the brand or company manufacturing the product. For example, the Beat may be a better car than the Wagon R on paper, but the typical Indian household will still prefer the Maruti to a Chevy, owing to the age old relationship he has had with the brand. On this thread, I hope to get people to indicate their most preferred brands on the Indian car scene. Mine are: 1> Mahindra: I don't know if it's the masculine and rugged positioning, or the fact that the first motor vehicle I aspired to own was a MM540, I just find myself scavenging every piece of Mahindra news that comes my way. I bought a Xylo over the Innova, so there! 2> Amby: The neta gaadi has always been aspirational to me, and I hope someone reinvents the brand whilst maintaining their classic look, and also upgrades its specs to compete with the newer generation. Hoping to pick one up in the future! 3> Honda: Always dependable. Always innovative. Always a great car!
	() Thanks

26th May 2010, 19:02	#2
manjith_pm BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Chennai Posts: 155 Thanked: 29 Times	finject,have to agree to your statement. I personally am a japanese car freak.I've had toyota's,honda's and suzuki's by the dozen.its more a mind over the heart decision.not to deny that other manufacturers make bad cars but the japanese and asian makers have an idea about indian conditions although the americans are catching up with the likes of figo and fiesta.So at times it's more about the segment and price range you're looking at.today many people are taking to beat because of its pricing and three year maintenance pack.so the state of choices remains primarily at the user's end.
	() Thanks

26th May 2010, 19:04	#3
prince_pervez Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Redwood shores, CA, USA Posts: 4,210 Thanked: 51 Times View My Garage	If I have to mention one. It will be Maruti Suzuki. They are the best in terms of pricing and after sales. Plus I own 2 from their stable.
	() Thanks

26th May 2010, 19:21	#5
Zero Cool BHPian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 202 Thanked: 6 Times	It would be Maruti for me. After owning 3 accents ( 2 petrol and 1 crdi) i switched to an SX4 and i sure am happy. Some pathetic looser scratched my 2 months old car with a key all over and day before yesterday one of my wheels punctured,on inspection it came to light that the Tyre had actually burst. so today i went to Apra auto and they assured me not only that they are gonna replace the burst tyre but also buff my car all over and get rid of the scratches...all for free. This kind of treatment cannot be expected out of even toyota and honda, and certainly not from ford and skoda. I remember once folks from Maruti came home to have a look at the wheel alignment problem in out 800. Maruti knows how to keep a customer happy. Hyundai does not even come close. I have already booked a Polo but now owing to long waiting periods and Maruti's customer service im thinking of switching to a Swift. Even if that doesnt happen I am definitely gonna buy Kizashi when its out.
	() Thanks

26th May 2010, 19:59	#8
Samurai Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bangalore/Udupi Posts: 25,828 Thanked: 45,521 Times View My Garage	I have previously owned Toyota, Maruti, Mercury (Ford), Chevy, Acura (Honda), and currently own Suzuki, Mahindra and Hyundai brand vehicles. Sorry, I am not loyal to any brand. I might prefer one brand over other based on past experience or reputation. But I will not buy from or stick to any brand blindly.
	() Thanks

26th May 2010, 20:03	#9
lamborghini Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 6,113 Thanked: 5,760 Times View My Garage	I am very loyal to Ford. We have been very happy with our past 3 purchases. However, there is no doubt that if there is a significantly better competitor, we will go for that option. However, ford typically excels in FTD cars, and that is a main criteria for me. Another company is Fiat. We had a siena and then a Palio GTX. Who knows, our next car could be one of these brands again. Last edited by lamborghini : 26th May 2010 at 20:10.
	() Thanks

26th May 2010, 20:12	#10
KiloAlpha Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Cubicle Posts: 1,605 Thanked: 3,002 Times	I am not too sure about brand loyalty - I don't think being loyal to a brand is a good idea. There is just so much you potentially miss out on! Plus, I think brand loyalty is misplaced. Just buy a car that suits your needs. Having said that, there are brands I am partial to and brands I will tend to discount from my shortlist. I am partial to Ford, Fiat and Nissan. I tend to discount cars from GM and Toyota.
	() Thanks

26th May 2010, 20:15	#11
PAVAN KADAM BANNED Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: NAMMA BENGALURU Posts: 5,602 Thanked: 2,549 Times	Myself to the VW. Both my rides are over 40 years, and yet ride like new, almost 0% maintainence and above all no niggles. Any German made VW i am game for it. TATA for my Safari Dicor, 4th year and troublefree ride. I will buy some more TATA's for sure in the future. Maruti only for my 1997 M-800, for a good run for over 2 and odd lac kms and still my daily drive, I dont like any cars Maruti makes now. Deawoo for our best BIG small car Matiz, 10 years and almost troublefree. Now they dont exist anymore.
	() Thanks

26th May 2010, 20:17	#12
vkochar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Delhi / Agra / London Posts: 2,146 Thanked: 819 Times View My Garage	My brand would be HYUNDAI. Having first bought the Santro in 1998 - 1999 when it launched first and then buying 3 more. Then the Accent and now the Verna - both which I still have. Never really had a problem with Hyundai's - it's never stalled, never gone to the mechanic, just get it serviced routinely and fill up all the necessary liquids it needs - and that's it. BUT then I suppose that is with all the vehicles nowadays. I still prefer Hyundai as I have always had a pleasant experience with them. Never an unpleasing one.
	() Thanks

26th May 2010, 22:14	#13
Shan2nu Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Hubli - Karnata Posts: 5,533 Thanked: 125 Times View My Garage	We have a Honda, Toyota and a Suzuki at home. So we've never been that loyal to any of the brands in particular. And i took a liking to Honda mainly bcoz of the OHC VTEC. The present models aren't as exciting to drive. Shan2nu
	() Thanks

27th May 2010, 00:28	#14
Minardi BHPian Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 413 Thanked: 15 Times	Our first four cars are by different manufacturers - Maruti, Daewoo, Hyundai and Fiat in that order. But I am a big Fiat and Mitsubishi fan
	() Thanks

27th May 2010, 01:32	#15
khoj Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Dilli Posts: 2,718 Thanked: 1,287 Times View My Garage	Loyal to Maserati but only to the extent of my belief that if there is a manufacturer who knows how to produce cars that have the best looks and proportions it is Maserati. As a buying customer my loyalty is only to myself.
	() Thanks