Deepesh Rathore
Research Editor
deepesh.rathore@supplierbusiness.com
For more details on Survey visit at www.theautodiary.com
We have been inundated with press releases from NFO (TNS) and JD Power, their PR agencies and some automakers during the last couple of days. Yes its survey time in the automotive industry. Every year both TNS and JD Power release their surveys with much fanfare - I am sure a press do is just arond the corner. The surveys rate the carmakers on various parameters of customer satisfaction amongst other things. The stuff used to be interesting till a couple of years back when Maruti came around and monopolised it. MUL in the Indian market is perhaps the only case in the world of a market leader, that too with an unabashed 55-percent of the marketshare, sweeping the customer satisfaction surveys.
But, I am always perplexed by the contribution of these surveys in bosting the sales of any manufacturer. For instance, will MUL sales spurt next month since it has topped (for the umpteenth agonising time) the surveys once again. Actually no. I remember, for sure, that in the year 1999 when JD Power put Ford India (then only peddling the Escort) at the bottom of the heap and Ford India had explained to journalists specifically that it was problems with the Escort diesel that had resulted in a fall in ratings, yet, the next month, Escort sales actually improved.
While I have nothing against these surveys - they might have made us quality conscious, the fact that MUL pays JD Power an exhorbitant amount of money - for using the JD Power logo in their advertisements - whenever it advertises the fact that the research company has rated the carmaker highest in their survey bothers me. What bothers me even more is that JD Power gets to do a lot of internal supplier studies at Maruti.
- Related Articles
- Related Q&A
Hardest Places to Deliver a Load
By: Lyall Cresswell | 06/01/2010Each time you travel along the motorway, you are bound to see lorries lining the inside lane. However, what we often tend to forget, is that these lorries do in fact have a final destination. This could be down a narrow country road, up a very steep hill, or even...
Kevin Ouellette Named Manager of King Collision Center in Raynham
By: Steve Dubin | 06/01/2010King Collision Center (http://www.kingcollision.com) providers of collision repair services to thousands of customers south of Boston, has recently named Kevin Ouellette as Manager of their Raynham location.
Done with Training…What’s Next?
By: Tavi Price | 05/01/2010So now that you have just completed your Training. That is awesome! You have just completed the most difficult part of starting a Paintless Dent Removal Business or Reconditioning Business. So good for you- the hardest part is now behind you.
Am I too Drunk to Drive?
By: Kasan Groupe | 05/01/2010Avoid becoming a statistic by becoming more aware of your drinking habits. It can sometimes be hard to tell if you’ve simply had too much alcohol to drive. If you’re uncertain, check out the classic signs of alcohol impairment listed below.
How to Tell if Your Car is Safe: Brembo Brakes, Safety Ratings and Airbags
By: Kasan Groupe | 05/01/2010If you’re ready to purchase a new vehicle for you or for your teenager, safety is of grave importance. Whichever vehicle you settle on, you want it to be fully equipped with state-of-the-art safety equipment. Educate yourself before throwing down the cash on an ill-equipped vehicle. You next vehicle should provide you with only the best, but if you aren’t exactly sure how to deem it safe the follow my tips below.
Auto Parts Damage: 5 Most Common Causes
By: Kasan Groupe | 05/01/2010If you consider yourself to be a safe driver then you’ve got to take extra precautions while out on the road in order to prevent accidents from occurring. In order to avoid accidents, it’s important for you to be aware of the common causes of auto accidents. Below are the 5 most common reasons why people get into accidents each and every day.
Go Green with Gas Mileage Savings Tips from DealMax
By: Linda Davis | 05/01/2010It is up to every last one of us to do what we can to save the planet. If you drive, saving on gas mileage is a crucial way to go greener.
It’s Time to Replace those Mustang Wheels When…
By: Kasan Groupe | 05/01/2010This freezing cold weather we’ve been experiencing does more than prevent us from enjoying the great outdoors; it can cause severe driving safety risks if you aren’t prepared.
Maruti is 21
By: Deepesh | 05/11/2007 | VansTo its credit, Maruti today is as good, if not better, than the other players in the country in any competitive area, from capacity utilization to efficiency.
Hyundai Getz
By: Deepesh | 26/10/2007 | AutomotiveThe Getz, as premium as it may be, is a hatchback and for the Indian market, a hatch still is a notch lower than a notchback.
Divided We Standin, United We Fall!
By: Deepesh | 22/10/2007 | AutomotiveTata Motors resorted to making Taco, a unique group of companies with tie-ups acros the globe. Mahindra has its own component division.
Indian Two Wheeler Industry - Survival of the Fattest
By: Deepesh | 20/10/2007 | AutomotiveThe only way out seems to be technical innovation which can give a low volumes company advantage over a high volume one.
Car Customisers
By: Deepesh | 19/10/2007 | AutomotiveMedia also has a hand to play in making these glorified body tailors as some designer whiz kids.
Icoty is Here and the TV Jocks Hate it
By: Deepesh | 16/10/2007 | AutomotiveSo while we have each mag giving a COTY, their are other silly awards like manufacturer of the year.
The Proverbial Crap I Feared it Would be
By: Deepesh | 12/10/2007 | AutomotiveThe perennial Internet shopper that I am, I now rue my decision to order Chetan Bhagat's 'One Night at the Call Center'.