How Automobile Companies Fool Us

You might have heard the word “Caveat Emptor”.

Yes, here we are discussing the thing you should be beware of while buying a new car or bike.

There are few things wrong in our automobile industry especially in middle class or non-premium car segments.

For example, we have seen companies launch cars with the name of sports, GT or road sports.

Just by giving these additional tag people start to believe that the car they have bought is sports versions or of an enhanced standard. One such car is Hyundai Grand i10 Sportz, it has the highest sales compared to other i10 variants just because of the sports tag given. But there is no substantial difference between the two as both are of same weight, engine same power output, and same suspension setting.

Even the Toyota Innova is no different when it comes to fooling people. Innova touring sports variant follows the same path when it comes to innovation as i10. The standard Innova is given some artwork and changed the design and is given a sports car tag.

Now let's talk about Baleno RS, there is some difference between normal Baleno and RS (road sports) variant. A little change in exterior looks and a smaller turbocharged engine is the only change that can be seen. Though it gives 100bhp and 150nm of torque which is higher than the standard. But, does give more power makes a car sportier? Because even after giving it a smaller engine both editions weight the same, the suspension is still soft and the steering wheel has no feedback.

Sports variant segments have seen some muscle cars, but muscle cars have power but are not good on curvy roads and they only focus on power. Even the tyres are not good for the improved power.

In Volkswagen Polo, the suspension is already on the stiffer side and has good steering with feedback so when GT comes with more power it can handle it, but the tyres can’t. The Polo and Polo GT show absolutely no difference in the look.

Tyres are also part of the car which should be given attention because it is the only part which is in contact with the road.

Currently, there is only one company which gives justice to sports tag; Figo S, enhanced with more power, torque, bigger and better tyres and the suspension has been re-tuned to make it sporty.

But this issues is only pertaining in the medium or low budget car segment, in premium car segments it’s not seen because of the ongoing competition and the attention people give when spending more notes on cars.

Now let’s talk about bikes. There is no such problem of tags as we see in the car industry, but there are issues in cruiser bike segment like in Royal Enfield. There is no doubt that these bikes are good, but they are outdated as there are no interesting updates introduced on this bike.

The current competition is huge, but we still see that public want this bike as it gives a classic look and vintage feel. The company is having a good sale, hence, it is understood the reason for the lack of improvement we see on these bikes. A 350 cc bike giving just 20 bhp with that heavy body and that suspension setup. Yes, the bike is really comfy but only good for straight roads.

Bikes do provide goods upgrade and enhancement in sports versions, but for the price, the built quality and gear ratios are not up to the mark.

They deliver good performance and comfort, but still lack the quality and can’t be distinguished from the standard version.

A little hard work and innovation can reap wonders in the bike industry.

Finally, it’s we, the customers who should demand a better-enhanced version of the automobile if we are ready to pay few more bucks for the sports variant or limited version.