JD Power Asia Pacific conducted a study on consumer preferences among auto shoppers in the country, revealing that once again it was Maruti Suzuki India Limited as most considered nameplate among new vehicle buyers in the country.
The study revealed that car buyers in India are shifting from buying small cars to bigger hatchbacks. More and more number of car buyers have stopped considering small car as their first car. As per the study, the percentage of people who are now considering buying new small car as their first car is 45%, as against 65% last year.
Maruti Alto 800 is amongst the smallest car in India. It is also the best selling car of India.The J.D. Power Escaped Shopper Study 2015 also revealed that among first time car buyers, newly launched cars were more in focus, as compared to old models. The internet was a prime source for car buying related information, with more buyers seeking information on the internet in 2015 as compared to those who researched for a vehicle preference in 2014.
Another factor that vehicle shoppers base their purchases on was the price factor. Among shoppers who researched for a new model, 30% rejected the model on the price factor while 21% rejected the new model where exterior design was concerned as against 18% who rejected the model on the basis of fuel efficiency.
For the 11th consecutive year, it was Maruti Suzuki that was the most considered nameplate among new vehicle shoppers in the country, while 40% of new vehicle shoppers opted for a Maruti Suzuki model.
J.D. Power Escaped Shopper Study 2015 spanned 8,116 shoppers of new vehicles and 2,983 persons who rejected new cars or utility vehicles purchased during the period September 2014 and April 2015. Buyers of new vehicles who considered but rejected certain models over others was fielded during March and July 2015.