Maruti Udyog Limited (MUL), India's premier car manufacturer, in a recent release said that though its domestic car sales increased 17% during April 2007, sales of its yesteryears' top-selling brand, Maruti 800, fell approximately 10%. The once-ubiquitous model which dotted the Indian roads for several years lost its numero uno position last year to Maruti Alto, during October 2006, as its sales fell by a whopping 30% that prompted many industry analysts to declare `end of the road' for the 800 model. While it would be premature to write-off Maruti 800 that is still the cheapest and most fuel-efficient car, consistently declining sales are disappointing for the company and its fans. The question on many fans' mind is: Will Maruti 800 last for long? Now a similar question is also being asked about the fast-waning Ambassador model from the stable of Hindustan Motors. The once-monolithic Ambassador model ruled the Indian roads for almost three decades till the market was opened to private sector in 1991. Being virtually no match at all to competition from better local and global big rivals and labor issues dogging it for long, the Ambassador is facing near extinction, save some miracles.
Indian roads, in fact, is a witness to many brands losing their way after being in the driver's seat, literally, for long. Remember the Fiat Uno model and much before that the Premier Padmini. In the two-wheeler segment, top brands like Bullet and Yezdi (now extinct), Rajdoot, and now Splendor can now only bask in the glory of the past success, although Splendor is still trying to hold its own, it has already lost the crown to Pulsar, which has been a major inflection point in Bajaj's rebound after being almost marginalized by arch rival Hero Honda for long. However, Bajaj Chetak is no better today, despite repeated attempts by Bajaj Auto to revive the brand after it lost out to LML Vespa about two decades back and now both these brands are nowhere in comparison to the market leader, Honda Activa. |
