Re: October 2014 : Indian Car Sales Figures & Analysis When you have a sound base, a sound strategy, widespread sales and service network and regular upgrade of existing models as well as launch of new products it is not difficult to see why Maruti and Hyundai are so dominant. Hyundai in my opinion is one manufacturer which does not bring second rung products from else where. Look at what Ciaz has done to Maruti and Elite i20 to Hyundai. These two manufacturers do not stand still. They are always looking to refurbish their existing models and bring in new products as soon as possible after their global launches.
Alto with a new k10 is set to stretch its legs even further. Elite i20 is probably the first model to have made a significant dent in to Swift sales . Hyundai do not launch cheap cars, value for money is their mantra. Indian customer is willing to spend more as long as he sees a proportional value for money component. With Ciaz Maruti is trying to get out of the mass market manufacturer tag and the initial signs are good. Pretty much anything that Maruti has in its repertoire is doing good numbers.
Mahinda's Scorpio was doing 4k/month before the new model and it would be interesting to see if it manages to keep up the curent numbers around 5k on a consistent basis. Bolero is continuing to do its maverick mode. Despite the archaic engine, age old mechanicals it is doing outstanding numbers because it is bulletproof, rugged, cheap to buy and maintain which are the most important criteria in the segment it is the undisputed champion of. XUV is probably the most impressive model in Mahindra line up after Scorpio because of the numbers it is doing on a consistent basis in its segment. Quanto, Verito Vibe are duds and the changes made to Xylo haven't exactly boosted its numbers.
Toyota Corolla is an example where people are more inclined towards a brand than the product itself. The turbolag laced underpowered engine and relatively expensive price tage hasn't deterred people from owning it although the real verdict will be out after six months. Fortuner and Innova are like thoroughbreds for Toyota and they are continuing to chug along doing healthy numbers.
Tata is paying a heavy price for sleeping when it was on top. The Indica and Indigo were money churners and Tata woke up too late by which time the other manufacturers had taken a firm hold of the segments they were competing in. Though the Vista and Manza were decent their fit, finish and quality was not up to the mark add to it the below average after sales and service. Zest despite all the hype has failed to make the splash it was expected to. The reason is simple. you need a ground breaking design like an Elite i20 to take the challenge to the segment leaders. Zest despite all the propaganda is not all new. Tata need to come up with a ground up design and concentrate on few but quality products.
Chevrolet is done. I can't see a ray of light for them. Fiat despite a slight surge in Punto numbers is in a similar state. Ford totally mismanaged the pricing of new Fiesta and is paying a massive price for it. Skoda is struggling with its brand image due to the sales and service fiasco it is plagues with since its inception and has failed to get rid of.
Last edited by needforspeed88 : 7th November 2014 at 14:53.
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