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How did the Standard Herald’s unique design affect or hinder its own popularity in India?

by Ashutoshover 1 year ago0 views7 comments
The design of Standard Herald was a major leap from the cars that were being made in India at that time. The car was certainly visually different – it contrasted well with its sharp angles, pronounced front grille, and sporty look that was unusual for the Indian market. Interestingly, the car's body was separate from its chassis. This design meant that body panels were easy to replace, which was possibly easier to repair. But it also meant the car had more points where rattles and squeaks would develop over time. Its compact dimensions and good turning circle meant that the Herald could have been an ideal car for Indian city driving. But perhaps its unusual looks may have been too radical for conservative Indian car buyers of the time. It's an intriguing question then, whether this unique design was an asset or a liability in the Indian market, given the generally conservative tastes in car design that existed in India back then.
Standard Herald
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Comments (7)

Angadover 1 year ago
I'd say it ultimately hurt. But soon the novelty wore off and people found it not to be as practical as the traditional designs for Indian conditions.
Akshatover 1 year ago
It was a double edged sword design. It made people talk about it but also made them afraid to buy. Sales doesn’t always follow curiosity.
Suchetaover 1 year ago
In metros it helped, in smaller cities it hurt. The modern design was appreciated by urban folks, rural areas found it too alien.
Nimishover 1 year ago
Hurt, for sure. Such a radical design was not yet ready for India. Practical, not flashy was what people wanted.
Raviover 1 year ago
Both. But the design appealed to younger buyers and pushed away older, more traditional customers who were often the decision makers in families.
Kapilover 1 year ago
I think it helped initially. It stood out and was noticed, which any new car needs. Maintenance and reliability were the problems that came later.
Jyotsanaover 1 year ago
Its popularity was definitely hurt by the unique design. During those days most Indians preferred familiar conservative designs. The Herald was just too much.
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