"7 Classic car names we want back: A look at beloved models of the past"
Delhi : A car's name is almost as significant as all of its technical and technological components combined. It is what establishes a link with the populace and gives it a sense of identity. So choosing a name for a new car is both difficult and a chance for something unique. Given that some businesses have been operating for a while, they may be able to utilise a model name that relates to their history or even revive an iconic name from their earlier years. The revival of nameplates like the Safari and Grand Vitara by companies like Tata and Maruti is part of a growing trend in the Indian car industry.
This makes it possible for even more iconic nameplates to reappear on the market in brand-new guises. Here are our top 7 selections for automobile names that we wish the manufacturers will revive:
Mahindra Armada
The most time has passed since this name was last used on the market in 2001, yet it is also the one that is most likely to come back soon. We anticipate Mahindra will give the next 5-door Thar the moniker Armada in order to set it apart from the three-door off-roading SUV. Funny enough, the Thar is a resurrected name that made its appearance in its current form in 2020.
Early in the 1990s, the Mahindra Armada SUV was primarily marketed as a large people mover. It was a hardtop utility vehicle based on the original Jeep.
Tata Sumo
Tata SUVs with locally sourced designs are nothing new today, but in the 1990s, the Sumo was a revelation in that regard. It was the first passenger car to be created in India and was named after Sumant Moolgaokar, the previous managing director of Tata Motors. The Sumo was a 4-wheel drive vehicle (4WD), the first multi-utility vehicle (MUV) produced by Tata, and it was even given to the Indian Army. Within just three years of its debut, it quickly rose to such a level of popularity that its total sales surpassed the one million mark.
In Tata's SUV portfolio, a modernised Sumo might serve as a formidable opponent to the Mahindra Scorpio N and could be placed underneath the Safari as a true offroader. It can profit from the automaker's decision to keep using diesel engines for the time being, but an electric model would be more advantageous for the longevity of the market.
Toyota Qualis
Even while Toyota now rules the MPV market in India thanks to the dependable Innova, its hegemony dates back further. The Japanese automaker debuted the "Qualis" nameplate in India in 2000; it was marketed as the "Kijang" elsewhere. It was a fantastic people mover and immediately competed with MUVs like the Tata Sumo. In its five years on the Indian market, the Qualis sold a total of 1.5 lakh units before making way for the Innova.
While the Innova is a well-known product on the market, the Toyota Qualis might be brought back as a more compact and reasonably priced MPV. Toyota now has a tremendous opportunity to target the category that is currently dominated by vehicles like the Maruti Ertiga and Kia Carens because the Innova has moved up the "affordability" ladder and is firmly above the Rs 20 lakh threshold.
Maruti Kizashi
The majority of Maruti Suzuki's best-selling models, including the Waggon R and Swift, are based on or are exact replicas of models marketed by Suzuki in Japan, something the average Indian vehicle buyer tends to forget. With the Suzuki Kizashi in 2011, the nation's largest automaker attempted to compete with models like the Honda Accord, Skoda Laura, and Volkswagen Jetta in the premium sedan market.
The sedan, which was already available in international markets like the US, was shipped over here as a completely built-up unit (CBU), with both manual and automatic gearbox choices available for its powerful 2.4-liter petrol engine. Its poor fuel economy and lack of a diesel powertrain, combined with the fact that it was a straight import and had a starting price of more than Rs 15 lakh (ex-showroom), contributed to its poor performance in our market. Although the Kizashi looked stunning, it was also likely an issue of brand image, with buyers of premium sedans preferring to stick with names like the Accord and Skoda's sedans that were already associated with a high lifestyle.
To reverse the situation, Maruti might reintroduce the name as a cross-badged alternative to the Toyota Corolla. It appears that the automaker is once more aiming to join the premium markets with the new Maruti MPV built on a Toyota platform. The Kizashi may be the ideal vehicle to build a name for itself at a time when the sedan body design is experiencing a mini-revival with premium options for individuals who want the executive style.
Tata Indica
Since Tata unveiled the Indica in 1998, the little hatchback has attracted attention, in large part because of Ratan Tata's involvement in the styling and design. The Indigo (sedan), Indigo Marina (estate), and Indigo CS (compact sedan) are just a few of the new models and body types that were born from the Indica.
In 2023, we think Tata might resurrect the name "Indica" for a new hatchback that would fill the void between the Tiago and the Altroz in its lineup. The Maruti Swift and Hyundai Grand i10 Nios currently dominate the mid-size hatchback segment. Tata may be able to compete in this market with the rebranding of the moniker.
Nissan Terrano
Nissan chose to create its own version of the compact SUV in 2013 under the name Terrano after seeing the popularity of the Renault Duster in India. Like its Renault twin, it came in both petrol and diesel forms. However, after a few modifications, it was eventually discontinued in 2020 as a result of the more stringent BS6 emission standards because it was unable to compete with the likes of the Hyundai Creta and Maruti S-Cross.
Nissan would undoubtedly be considering its re-entry into the compact SUV market, with the Kicks now also being out of production, after announcing its plans to bring more SUVs in our market. This might be the ideal time for the automaker to rename the Hyundai Creta and Maruti Grand Vitara competitor the "Terrano."
Tata Nano
In order to upgrade from utilising a scooter for daily commuting, the automaker unveiled in 2009 a product of Ratan Tata's aim of providing a 4-wheeler accessible to all Indian families. While the Nano succeeded in establishing itself as "India's least expensive car," it fell short of rivals like the Maruti Alto and 800 that were constructed at higher costs. Being referred to as "India's least expensive car" was a double-edged sword for the Nano because customers held off on purchasing it to forget about its dirt-cheap price.
Regardless of the Nano's background, we still think it has a chance to succeed, especially as an electric vehicle. It might come after the Tiago EV in the greener portfolio of the automaker. Tata would be able to introduce a significantly more affordable electric vehicle thanks to the Nano EV, which would be a more direct competitor to the recently released MG Comet EV.
Tata Sierra
With a bonus name to round out the list, Tata appears to have the most recognisable names that we would want to see back. This nameplate, in contrast to all the others before it, will definitely return. By 2025, the Sierra will be back on the market with both ICE and EV versions, according to Tata.
The 3-door Sierra was India's first locally produced SUV in the 1990s. Power windows, a tilt-adjustable steering column, and large Alpine windows were among of its notable features. Tata had displayed concept versions of the Sierra at the 2020 and 2023 Auto Expos, but it is still unclear what the SUV will look like when it is ready for production.
