Maruti Suzuki bags 4 awards; Toyota gets 2 in APEAL Study

J.D. Power Asia Pacific revealed in a report today that customer satisfaction with new-vehicle design and performance has increased significantly for the sixth consecutive year in a row. The Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study which released recently further threw light on the ownership and drivability of new vehicles during the first six months based on the evaluations carried out by the owners.

Vehicle 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 are the 10 factors that contribute to APEAL report in evaluating a vehicle's ownership. And on this basis, a scorecard of 1000 is made and higher points scored means higher satisfaction level of a customer.

The overall APEAL score stands at 845 in this year as compared to the 836 which was recorded last year. Country's leading automaker Maruti Suzuki ceased four top spots in the following categories: Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 in entry level compact segment,  Maruti Suzuki Estilo in compact segment; Maruti Suzuki Ritz in upper-level compact segment and Maruti Suzuki Swift in premium compact segment. Toyota models ranked highest in the utility vehicle segments. Innova was rated the best in the MUV/ MPV segment for a seventh consecutive year and Fortuner topped the chart in the SUV segment. Honda too had a accolade to its name as Amaze was rated the best in the entry mid-size segment. Hyundai Verna and Volkswagen Vento, jointly made it to the highest level in the mid-size segment. Chevrolet Cruze was declared the best in the premium mid-size segment.