A study by JD Power Asia Pacific termed Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) has found that over the past four years, the impact of vehicle interiors on overall satisfaction has increased consistently. It has named the small car and utility vehicles segment as the two places where this is most prominent.
The study has also found that visibility, driving safety and fuel economy continue to be the leading factors in satisfaction among new vehicle owners in India. “To improve the quality and aesthetics of their models, automakers have made significant efforts and investments to enhance the overall design and quality of the vehicle interior, even in the small car segment,” said Mohit Arora, executive director, JD Power Asia Pacific.
The study measures satisfaction across 10 categories: exterior; vehicle interior; storage and space; audio/ entertainment/ navigation; seats; heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC); driving dynamics; engine/ transmission; visibility and driving safety; and fuel economy.
Satisfaction is also higher among owners of diesel cars than among owners of petrol-powered vehicles. Moreover, the gap in satisfaction scores between owners of diesel and petrol vehicles has changed significantly during the past four years. In 2012, the APEAL score for diesel vehicles is 22 points higher than for petrol vehicles, while in 2009 the score for petrol vehicles was 3 points higher than that for diesel vehicles.
Now in its 14th year, the India APEAL Study is an owner-reported measure of what gratifies vehicle owners in India with the design, features, layout and performance of their new vehicle during the first two months of ownership. The 2012 India APEAL Study is based on responses from more than 8,000 owners who purchased a new vehicle between November 2011 and July 2012. The study was fielded between May and September 2012 in 25 cities across India.
