A KOREAN REVOLUTION?

ARE KOREANS GOING TO TAKE OVER INDIAN 4-WHEEL MARKET??

Image Source: internet

Lockdown was a hard time for me. With the Covid-19 out, I was supposed to stay indoors. My efforts to test-drive more vehicles and put up contents were all secondary to the emergency the nation goes through.
Even tough I drove less than a thousand km for last 4 months, Cars and bikes were the most searched thing on the internet.
What are the major events in automobile scenario??? of course the implementation of BS6 emission norms.

Cars and bikes were forced to adapt to new cleaner and more aggressive emission norms. Manufactures had to bring in new innovations and is the first time in over a decade where manufacturers are feeling the heat here in India.

This actually reminded me of regulations in Formula 1. Each time the FIA brings in new regulations for the sport, the pressure builds in. Teams and engineers works hard to develop an entirely new car as per the regulations and working their asses out to bring in new innovation to win. Most of the time the dominant forces of the sports gets thrashed by lower teams. Like Michael Schumacher and Ferrari dominance was de throned by Alonso and Renault in 2005, Brawn GP bringing in double diffuser to win 2009 season. Redbull dominance with Vettel and finally the Mercedes dominance in Hybrid Era were all examples of how new regulations can change the whole sport.

Is it the same that is gonna happen with BS-6 regulations?? I think........ YES!

A car for India is always regarded as Maruti Suzuki. Though its "Suzuki" the nationalist in me is forcing me to remark the brand as Maruti. So Maruti dominates the 4 wheeler market in India. From the 800 to the lates XL6 they sold millions of cars. From times where large bore engines where the biggest technology and cars were used to be big and heavy, They tried to put India on 4 wheels with 800. It revolutionised the market and Hindustan motors slowly started to die like a smoker (while some other brands jumped of a cliff).

Then when almost all companies like Hyundai, Mitsubishi, Toyota Chevrolet, Tata etc starts to catch up with Diesel engines Maruti joined Hands with FCA and dropped in the Turbo Diesel which was an instant favourite.
and then it was a revolution by the Japanese brands. 

VW, Skoda, Renault, Nissan and many international brands tried to impress the Indians but couldn't match the ones from LAND OF THE RISING SUN.
Japanese cars where the go to cars for Indian back then, You need a small car ??? go for Maruti, a small premium sedan?? get the Honda, A larger car for family? Innova and fortunes from Toyota were here.
Though Hyundai was fighting, They end up getting knocked down my the leaders.

Until 2018....

It was in 2018 when the Bs6 emission norms were taken into consideration and the manufacturers and petroleum companies were asked to update as per the requirements after a long time.
This was a big blow for some while an opportunity to catchup for others.
Emissions and efficiency criteria would make most cars slower so downsizing and turbocharging seems to be the most efficient option for manufacturers
So Naturally Aspirated petrol engines slowly have to give way for Turbocharged ones 
With the way regulations were, It became impossible to develop a smaller capacity diesel profitably, This lead Maruti and VW group to kill its Diesel engines completely. Let me remind you that's where they had most of its sales.

This is the time where you need to adapt to the situation and that's what all brands are expected to follow. But here the Japanese seems to make the same mistake Kodak and Blackberry made, not to move along with the trend.
Maruti with only a sluggish Naturally aspirated petrol engine and Honda with their ae old Vtec engine remained to go conventional way while everyone else are focussing towards the Forced induction technology.

Then there is Ford.... The brand who forgot they exist. I hope they dont shut down their business.

SO IS MARUTI SUZUKI FINALLY GETTING DETHRONED???

Now let me bring you back to the title, Why do I think Koreans are going to take over Indian automotive world??
The answer is simple, They are "READY".

Shortly after the BS6 norms were declined. Hyundai brought in their premium brand KIA, Kia actually had EURO 5 complied engine and they set fire to the compact SUV market with SELTOS.
What made them successful??

KIA ENTERED INDIA WITH A HUGE ACCEPTANCE

You got one model for everyone. 3 engine options, 4 gearbox options and tons of features and good pricing saw KIA killing the competition.

They gave everything a customer wanted.
Then Hyundai did the same with the new Verna and Creta. 

Learning from the trend they now try to bring smaller capacity turbo engines along with the NA option in smaller hatch backs too.

Yeah you would ask, But everyone makes turbo petrol right?? 

Koreans also gives you a diesel, NA petrol too.

While Japanese were obsessed with CVT automatic
Koreans give you a CVT, Torque Converter, DCT and 6 speed manual.
and with great after sales network( second to only maruti) peace of mind is guaranteed.

Korean cars were reliable too and running cost ain't expensive like a German. 

They got the formula correct, I could also see a bump in used car market for the Koreans in future. 
Resale value, What sold most of us a Maruti Car.

The only place I am not convinced is their approach to EV evolution which is ready to strike in the near future. Until then I assume Koreans are gonna be leading Indian 4 wheel market

So while Kim Jong Un seeks for World domination, South Koreans actually Started one. First in electronic world with Samsung and now with Automobiles.

The Koreans aren't the only manufacturer Going in the right direction. TATA Motors are taking a foot in the right step too. With offering high quality vehicles and collecting feedback not just for a name sake but to actually bring in improvements and trying to move with the trend they are upping the game. They along with Mahindra who also developed smaller capacity turbo engines are focussed on EV revolution too. So future for Indian brands looks promising.

FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT FOR TATA

MAHINDRA SEEMS TO SET FOOT ON RIGHT DIRECTION

All these assumptions were based on my research, It could be proven wrong if Brands took a better approach or if Indian Buyers are stubborn like they used to be......

But the market isn't gonna be the same as before and that I can assure without much doubts.

Please do note that All the analysis were based on how the brand portrays themselves in Indian market only, World market is not considered here

So if you are shopping a car, a Korean one is an intelligent choice today.

By Ambady Anil

Assisted by : Aaron Joseph

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