10 Ad Campaigns: Yaari Ki Gaadi & O Suzuki Slingshot

2010 Splendor NXG Campaign, "Yaari Ki Gaadi": "Good TV Commercial, Irrelevant Positioning"

The Splendor NXG according to me has always had an identity crisis right from its very inception. Let’s try to analyze how Hero Honda has tried to position it in the mind of the customer in the last couple of years.

1. 2007: When it was launched the launch campaign was something called "The Splendorful Bike". Confused as to what it means? Don’t ask me.

2. 2009: This campaign this time it revolved around "Bharosa bhi, Style bhi". After all the Spendor NXG borrows its name from Splendor+, its 100 cc cousin which has the reputation of reliability. So therefore the "Bharosa"(i.e reliability) part comes in. Hero Honda has tried to give the Splendor NXG stylish looks compared to the Splendor+. [Watch the TVC here]

I have heard of Friendship Bands, but a Friendship Bike?

But there was/is one small problem for the Splendor NXG. The NXG comes across as just a copy of the Passion Pro, its other 100 cc cousin. Actually the current Passion Pro is any day a better looker than the NXG. So anyone who wants a Stylish looking Splendor will obviously go straight for the Passion Pro, why should he look at the Splendor NXG?

3. 2010: "Yaari Ki Gaadi"

7 Profits that Indian 2 Wheeler Makers made in 2010-11, Q2

Want to know how much profit our "desi" two wheeler makers make..??

Foreword: I am waiting to see how many blogs come up with similar stories after this post..

The sole existence of any business is to earn profits. There have been examples in the past of two wheeler makers which had to shut shop because they were not operating profitably. Memory of LML (Lohia Motors Limited) which had to shut down in 2006 due to financial bankruptcy is still fresh in my mind.

the big picture emerges only when one gives a glance at the "Profit" that these three companies make..

Currently the top 3 two wheeler makers of India by sales volume are Hero Honda, Bajaj Auto Ltd., and TVS Motor. One can analyze their monthly sales numbers as posted regularly on this blog. But what about the profits that these companies make?

Posted below is a graph indicating the Sales and Profits (in Crore Rupees) of the top 3 two wheeler makers, for the 2nd quarter (July-September) for the financial year 2010-11.

10 Bare/Naked Yamaha FZ

Photos of the Yamaha FZ minus its body panels..

Wanted to see how the Beefy Yamaha FZ looks like without its clothes? Taufik from Indonesia has posted photos of a stripped the FZ (branded as Byson there) on his blog.

Don’t miss the mid ship silencer and the actual metal tank of the FZ/Byson.

1 October 2010, 2 Wheeler Sales India

Oct 2010 sales numbers of our Indian 2 wheeler manufacturers..

Companies pile on their best ever numbers in the 2010 festive season. Big daddy Hero Honda clock half million sales in a single month..!!

Note:

1. The monthly sales figures include domestic sales as well as exports. Also it includes sales of all types of 2 wheelers (Motorcycles, Scooters, Mopeds etc.)

26 Hero Honda Splendor Pro APDV Review

Review of the world's largest selling single model in its new avatar.. the Hero Honda Splendor Pro

The humble Hero Honda Splendor has been the world’s single largest selling model since the year 2000. Without any doubt Hero Honda calls it as one of "the world's greatest achievements" (on its current Splendor+ minisite).

It was therefore surprising that Hero Honda was not putting a self start even as option on its best selling model (even lower priced model like the CD Deluxe has been available with self start) for so long.

Finally Hero Honda decides to put an electric starter as an option on the Splendor and also gets a new name, the Splendor Pro. [News Source: Splendor Pro launched]


What else is new in the Hero Honda Splendor Pro?

New graphics (obviously), new clear lens turn indicators, matt black exhaust silencer instead of the earlier one in chrome, new design speedometer console, new adjustable rear shock absorbers, a pass light and a ignition system which Hero Honda calls APDV (Advanced Pro series Digital Variable ignition system).

I decide to pay homage to this two wheeled sales wonder from India by taking it out for a test ride.