Tesla is on the way to becoming a Kodak

I mena that in the sense that Kodak is a brand that has become so ubiquitous in the public psyche that it is often used as a placeholder for all photographic films.

This phenomenon, known as “brand transcendence,” occurs when a brand becomes so well-known that it becomes synonymous with a particular product or service. According to a quick search on Google Trends, Kodak is a prime example of brand transcendence, as it consistently ranks highly in search volume for keywords related to photographic films.

The electric automotive industry is another field where brand transcendence is evident. According to Google Trends, Chinese firm BYD is the biggest seller of electric cars, but it is far behind in search ranking compared to other brands. In fact, Tesla, a company that is known for its electric cars, ranks highly in search volume and has even surpassed keywords such as “battery” and “lithium.” While Tesla is still less searched than Toyota, the trend shows that the gap is closing, and the California-based company is quickly gaining in popularity.

It is not surprising that Toyota ranks highly in search volume, as several of its models have become popular memes or social reference points, including the Camry, Corolla, and Hilux. The Hilux, in particular, has gained a reputation as a placeholder for not just pickup trucks, but also anything that is unbreakable.

When it comes to car brands, Honda ranks higher than Toyota in search volume, even though it is a smaller company. This may be due to Honda’s motorcycle division or its involvement in Formula One racing.

Among German car brands, Mercedes-Benz is more searched than Volkswagen, possibly due to its Formula One connection. When comparing the main German brands, the premium names such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi rank highest in search volume, while Volkswagen and Porsche are relatively far behind.

In the Japanese car market, Honda leads Toyota and Nissan, followed by Mazda, with Mitsubishi ranking the lowest in search volume among the five brands.

Overall, it is clear that brand recognition and awareness play a significant role in the success of a company, particularly in the highly competitive automotive industry. Brands that are able to transcend their product or service offerings and become household names are well-positioned to attract and retain customers, as they are able to leverage their strong brand recognition to drive sales and build loyalty.

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