Maruti retains top position in Indian auto market

Maruti Suzuki has maintained its grip over the Indian auto market by topping once again in the annual India Performance Execution and Layout Study (APEAL) which conducted by customer research body JD Power Asia-Pacific.

Four Maruti Suzuki car models including small hatchback cars Wagan R and Swift besides sedans Swift Dzire and SX4 are topped in their respective segments as over 6,000 customers who purchased a new car between November 2007 and July 2008 voted for the company. The newly launched sedan, Maruti Swift Dzire, was pitted against Hyundai Accent, Mahindra Logan, Tata Indigo, scored 802 points on a 1,000-point scale. This was rated best on the 10 factors on which all cars were rated, covering aspects such as vehicle exterior, interior, fuel economy, driving dynamics, engine power and transmission smoothness, driving safety, driving comfort, music system and air-conditioning.

The other cars of Maruti, Swift and SX4 are topped in premium compact and mid-size segments for the second consecutive year in a row. Customers are particularly satisfied with the improved fuel economy of Swift Diesel. Mohit Arora, Senior Director, JD Power and Associates Asia-Pacific said that the newest generation of Maruti Suzuki products has clearly helped to improve the brand name.

All the top positions within different categories were captured by Japanese auto maker, Honda Motors. Honda Civic and CR-V topped in the the premium sedan and SUV segment respectively.

Toyota Innova was ranked highest in the multi-utility vehicle segment. South Korean auto maker, Hyundai Motor India failed to bag any top slot, but it improved the overall appeal on the back of its new small car i10, which is among the top selling models in the country.