Honda City simply rocks!!

Yesterday the Auto Media went Gaga ... On the launch of the New City in Thailand ...

while the entire world is going Woo Hoo!! over it ... I frankly struggle to locate, find "what New in the New City" 

Probably I'm not a Petro head who knows the car part by part , part no wise... well so are the normal 90% customers if not more... who had been waiting for the new city for a long long time..

Auto journos says ... Most changes are on the exterior ... and thats where I struggle the most to spot them ... They says its the new grille ... bla bla bla ... But no idea...

They say there would be leather seats, stereo with car Play, ABS ... Well Good Morning even the Ignis and Baleno come with these features now...

They say powertrain is very smooth and refined.... Hello! Honda has mastered making the finest petrol powertrains for donkey years now...

Did I head DRL's ? Daytime running Lamps ? YOu call that new in today's age... If they come ... they shall be restroing basic hygiene... 

So my questions remains ...  #WhatsNew?

Honda, A Brand which has been aspirational for the Indian consumers...Back in 1998 when the Honda Siel Cars debuted with the first Honda City at India's First Honda Dealership at Chandigarh, People went from Delhi to buy the City. That was the aspiration for owning a car with the power of 100 Horses... Something new and alien for the Indian Consumers back then... Many returning to Delhi with dented bumpers and fender... Unable to handle the power of the High rev Honda engines back then!

Honda, somehow lost the plot since 2010, it seems ... The Products like CR-V, Mobilio, BR-V have just seen average or below Average Performance.  Amaze though has a great start but was unable to displace DZire from it's throne. 

Now comes the WR-V . Pricing seems to be right. Shape is surely futuristic. Performance of Honda Petrol Powertrains is surely incomparable ... Petrol is the In thing these days 

The WR-V Ratings on Motor Uncle seems just Average ... They are the Experts  rating  only as of now... as the Actual Customers are yet to build to a significant no 

WR-V Sales performance would surely be a cornerstone for Honda Cars and We wish them all the very best!

Whats up Maruti Suzuki ? Broken the decade long jinx, if not longer??

Lets discuss the list of Products bombed in Premium segment last decade : Baleno , Kizashi, Grand Vitara ... Yup! A long list it is! 

Now comes in NExa, New Marketing, New Branding, Fading Consumer Memory ( always helps) , forgiving customer for past debacles

and you have a brilliant new Product and Buying Experience! 

Despite Honda launching a refreshed City, the Ciaz has overtaken the former in monthly sales. Tables have surely turned

Honda as a brand has stood for prestige, premiumness, luxury and comfort and has enjoyed a superlative Aspirational value since its launch in India in 1997-98. though it was very distinct from its global image which has been of entry level workhorse. Several Mass Auto Brands come to India and become Luxurious and Premium , other examples being VW,  Skoda, 

So what worked for Ciaz ? Shift to Nexa , Consistent Product Performance, Change in Mindset and Brand Perception of Maruti Brand or a combination of all these factors ... All said and done ...a big Hats off to Maruti Suzuki India for Pulling this off ... Lets see how long the lead can be sustained... as its just the beginning!