Cars have always taken a special place in our Heart. For some it’s aspiration, for others it just a mode of transportation, some regard it as a living companion and the remaining take it as a style statement/personal embodiment. A friend of mine recently said that even car has human like characteristics and that clicked me the reason behind the recent trend behind car advertisements. We know that we factorize a car based primarily on its looks and performance; but more important than that is the marketing communiqué behind it. What are the adjectives that come to your mind when you think about Ferrari..? Maybe it’s Mean, Fast, Luxurious, Sporty and Elegant machine? But, have you ever driven a Ferrari, maybe not.
India as an automobile market has become mature and people are overcoming from the utilitarian funda and have become more conscious in their choices. We couldn’t have thought more than a Splendor in motorcycle or Maruti 800 in car segment. But times have changed; Maruti has decided to stop the production of its 800 model from 2011 and also has started to give maximum focus on its car designs. This could be derived from the edgy design of A star, curvy and imposing look of Ritz and has even done a facelift of its popular Wagon-R (hope it transforms to be the blue-eyed boy of Indian car lovers!!).
This shift ain’t overnight. The auto makers have just responded to the emerging choices of the Indian consumer. I personally would want a car that can signify me and give an impression that it is MY car and its features are similar to that of mine. So the marketers thought why not pitch it on the FASHION route and expand the target market. Take Mahindra for example. While after the “Time of your life” campaign, they decided to do something new and more effective. And they roped in Fashion photographer Atul Kasbekar for their new TVC..! Was this a Bold decision? I say yes, but an intelligent one. The marketing team of Xylo always knew that just by showing the Spacious and Roomy features of Xylo in a normal way wouldn’t do any good. And they also knew that they could however communicate these features in the Atul Ad. The advertisement highlights the Xylo’s proposition of space, ride comfort and its innovative features such as flab bed seats, drop down snack trays, the individual air conditioning vents, and many more. The commercial also augment the term Happy Legs by bringing together two things people feel quite passionate about – auto and fashion. Atul who was famous as the kingfisher calendar photographer turned to a national TV star in an overnight. And so did Xylo J
Something similar could be said about Mitsubishi Outlander. Hindustan Motors signed in the ace Fashion Designer Rohit Bal to position their SUV as a veritable fashion icon which they thought was something unique. And did Outlander catch the necessary eyeballs? Yes, the 360 degree campaign associated with it did more than just catching the eye. It attracted instant attention which further led to impressive word of mouth; and the commercial generated enough interest for it. I think the association between FASHION and CARS is here to stay; so don’t be surprised to see other fashion designers/photographers jump into the trend..!
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