Could the Eeco be a cult classic, like the VW Bus?
Although the Volkswagen Bus began as an ordinary utility vehicle, it quickly became a cultural icon, and now is a much prized collector's piece. While the VW Bus also shares a boxy design and utilitarian nature of the Maruti Eeco, you would of course never notice due to a V6 engine, two sliding doors and a large price difference. They're both versatile, simple, easy to customize vehicles. With these similarities, could the Eeco also become a cult car down the road? Could its very basicness and its adaptability prove to be selling points for enthusiasts in the future? What might contribute to or prevent the Eeco from becoming such a status? What could perceptions of the Eeco become as India's automotive scene changes?
The Eeco is too common to be a cult classic, no way. The VW Bus was a counterculture vehicle. You see the Eeco just... everywhere.
I can totally see it happening, actually. Fast forward 20 years and people will miss the Eeco for its simplicity. It could be the very symbol of a bygone era in Indian motoring.
But only if Maruti discontinues it at some point maybe. Scarcity is part of what makes something a cult classic. But as long as you can buy a new Eeco, it won't have that special appeal.
I do think there’s potential here, especially in the modding community. It’s a simple design, and therefore a great canvas for customization. In the future, we may see some really cool Eeco builds.
The VW Bus doesn’t have the same cultural significance as the Eeco, Nah. There is no particular lifestyle or movement with which it's associated. It's just a cheap van.
It could happen, but not for the same reasons as the VW Bus. The Eeco could become a symbol of jugaad culture – Indian ingenuity in making do with what it has.
I doubt it. Part of what made the VW Bus iconic, was its unique design. On the outside, the Eeco looks like every other boxy van out there. It's not quite a cult classic.
Never say never! Sometimes the cars we take for granted now become classics later. In fact, the Eeco's ubiquity might be to its advantage – it might become the quintessential Indian vehicle of its era.
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