Maruti and Toyota customers most satisfied says J.D. Power APEAL study
J.D. Power Asia Pacific is a company that conducts customer satisfaction surveys and has done an Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) study for 2013. This study was done by taking feedback from 9069 owners who bought new vehicles between November 2012 and July 2013 while this study was undertaken from May 2013 to September 2013. In this year's study Maruti came out on top with four model level awards and was followed by Toyota which registered two.
A total of ten performance factors were taken in to consideration while evaluating they were fuel economy, heating/ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), storage and space, vehicle exterior, vehicle interior, driving dynamics, audio/entertainment/navigation, seats, engine/transmission and visibility & driving safety.
Toyota Fortuner (SUV) became the car with the most satisfied customers across all segments with the highest score of 877 points and was closely trailed by Honda's own Amaze (entry mid-size) at 876 points. The survey also revealed that customers in India were satisfied with their cars for the sixth consecutive year. Below is the list of the cars which secured the most points in their respective categories:-
Entry Compact Car segment - Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 - 856 points.
Compact Car segment - Maruti Suzuki Estillo â€" 857 points.
Upper Compact Car segment - Maruti Suzuki Ritz â€" 858 points.
Premium Compact Car segment â€" Maruti Suzuki Swift â€" 860 points.
Mid-size Car segment â€" Joint winners: Hyundai Verna and Volkswagen Vento â€" 859 points each.
Premium Mid-size Car segment â€" Chevrolet Cruze â€" 862 points.
MUV/MPV segment â€" Toyota Innova â€" 861 points.