Nokia voted India's most trusted brand

The Finnish mobile telecommunications supplier has vaulted 70 ranks to secure the coveted No.1 spot, the survey of over 8000 people across different socio-economic class, age and income groups in India has revealed.

In the process, oral care brand, Colgate has been pushed down to the second spot.

At No.3 is Tata Salt (gaining 10 places over last year).

Rounding up the top 5 are Hindustan Unilever's (HUL) Pepsodent and Pond's brands.

Following the release of the results of the survey, Nokia said India is a very important market for them. "Becoming the No.1 trusted brand in India is a very prestigious achievement for us. Our team in India has worked very hard to achieve this," said Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo, president & CEO, Nokia Corp.

Nokia's success lies in the fact that it has managed to successfully cater to both ends of the market and its comprehensive portfolio for the Indian market "together with investments in marketing and distribution...have helped differentiate the brand from the competition," Kallasvuo said.

India is a very "critical" market, Kallasvuo said, adding, it is Nokia's second biggest market after China.

"Our presence in India demonstrates this very well: the factory in Chennai, the design studio in Bangalore and the strong presence in Nokia Siemens network," Kallasvuo said. "We want to be as Indian as possible to do business in India."

According to D. Shivakumar, managing director, Nokia India, "India is moving from a penetration-driven economy to a consumption-driven one" and as consumers "become more aware of the larger issues facing society, they are likely to choose brands that reflect their concerns."