Indian Brands That Faded Away and Those Still Riding High
India's brand landscape is littered with names that evoke nostalgia but have long since faded away. Campa Cola, once a struggling brand, has made a surprising comeback as Reliance took over and revamped its product line.
The Luna two-wheeler was another victim of economic change. As incomes rose and cars became more affordable, the value proposition of the low-cost Luna disappeared. Dalda, another brand from India's past, fell prey to changing consumer tastes and nutritional science.
Global supply chains and Korean brands also contributed to the decline of BPL, Videocon, Solidaire, and Onida, once giants in the Indian consumer electronics market. The Ambassador car, a symbol of status and power, struggled to compete with global carmakers like Maruti.
The entry of Coca-Cola and Pepsi into India led to the demise of local brands Gold Spot and Citra. However, Campa Cola was reborn under Reliance's ownership, leveraging its existing brand equity. Thums Up and Limca survived due to their unique offerings that differentiated them from international brands.
The writer suggests that successful brands must continually adapt and find new reasons to be relevant in a changing market. Brands like Kinetic Motors' Luna and Honda evolved over time, but Onida's resurgence remains uncertain.