Honda’s Emergence as a Leader in Pakistan’s Auto Industry
[I:http://www.recyclingproducts.ca/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/JoeCarey2.jpg]From the time its well-liked models, the Accord and the Civic, were launched a little over three decades ago, Honda rapidly rose to become the favorite car in its class for both new and used car seekers. As cars at that time offered ordinary features which were common to competing models, Hondas ability to deliver extra features and trims to consumers for approximately the same price helped it gain instant acceptability in the market.
Long before Honda arrived on the car scene in Pakistan, Toyota had introduced several well-established and highly popular models in the automotive industry. Brands like Corona, Corolla, Crown and Mark II were leaders in their own class with other manufacturers like Mazda, Suzuki and Nissan had only a few models serving as poor competition. Toyota had an image of being a highly dependable car that could be resold for high prices in the used car market. Consumers favored Toyota for its practical value and a poor choice of similar cars.
Companies and car buyers saw Honda as an opportunity to possess both luxury and reliability. Hondas models had additional features and trims like a power steering and lamps, which other competing car manufacturers did not offer at the time. Out of the blue Honda had a significant presence on the urban roads and highways in Pakistan and became a widely acknowledged and sought after vehicle. Toyota faced a decline in sales, but managed to retain a substantial portion of the market unlike the other less fortunate manufacturers who were fighting to stay afloat.
Time after time Hondas skillfully crafted interior and exterior gave its cars a significant lead over competing brands. Its interior had more space, enhancing the drivers experience by providing a more comfortable ride for short and long distances alike. To compete successfully in the 1300CC engine capacity market against such names as the Toyota Corolla, Honda introduced the City, once again providing features that no other car at the time was offering. Honda soon started operations in Pakistan in collaboration with a well known local firm and hence, managed to remain competitive on price.
Hondas well-designed engine and good fuel economy helped boost its growing popularity and demand. Used Toyota had been obtaining high resale prices, while cars of other makes faced considerable depreciation in value. The widely publicized dependability and efficiencies of Honda cars, however, soon drove both the demand and price for its cars upwards in the Pakistani used car market.
Honda has quickly developed a remarkable reputation for fuel efficiency, dependability and a dramatic look and feel. With an impressive track record, it seems like Honda will be leading the new and used automotive industry for a considerable period of time, in spite of efforts by competitors to launch a range of new models. Well done.