Benchmarking

1. Benchmarking :

Automotive Benchmarking is the process of analyzing the choices of similar products based on the selection factor and deducing it to final conclusion.This involves the stuctured comparison between the similar products, services or process of some dimensions or performance .

Use of Benchmarking :

A specific, distinctive vehicle attribute branding is essential to make cars unique and competitive. As a first step on the way, vehicle manufacturers have to benchmark their vehicles in the competitive environment in order to understand and to strengthen or improve the potential of their vehicles.

Importance of benchmarking :

Benchmarking is an important tool that companies can use to stay up-to-date with trends within their industry related to sales, customer service and more. Using the benchmarking process, organizations can determine the best standard of performance based on other companies' success.

Types of Benchmarking :

Three different types of benchmarking can be defined in this way:

• process
• performance
• strategic

Advantages of Benchmarking :

• Good impact on customer's needs
• Helps in raising company standards
• Betterment in learning methodologies
• Get inspirations from the pioneers
• Strengthening the weakness
• Enhances the learning experience
• Keeps in pace with new technology
• Strives for the organization's force on success

Levels of Benchmarking :

Benchmarking can takes place at the following areas like

• Company to other company
• company to branch companies
• between different sectors using the same process
• between different factories
• between competing organizations

Benchmarking Example :

If there is new vehicle development there are two type of benchmarking at development stage

1. Benchmarking - 1 ( car level / vehicle level benchmarking)

2. Benchmarking - 2 ( part level/ individual component level benchmarking)

To speak about the Benchmarking - 1 - There is requirement for dry leak testing machine for the engine block housing casting part for new upcoming model car . So , the OEM/Tier -1 will prepare a RFQ for this process based on their existing dry leak testing machines in their factory. Incase the engine housing dimensions / air blocking ports are critical & new comparing to their existing machines now this benchmarking tool plays major role . Now the process engineer will collect the data like in which companies they are testing as like this similar part & which supplier providing machines for such type of critical parts or else he will check whether this type of machine is running in their own OEM branches either in domestic regions or globally . Once he collected the data he may visit directly & collects the DFMEA of that machines from various sources & finally based on the feedbacks to improve its performance & accurate output of leak test values he may incorporate some new ideas / modifications in the RFQ in order to competite with other organizations.

To speak about the Benchmarking - 2 - This is similar to benchmarking - 1 but here engineer will compare for individual parts like ORVM ,bumpers , BIW, Arm rest console, glovebox , IP panel , Engine , lighting etc . Here he will compare the factors like Part dimensions , weight , material , coating , cost , manufacturing methods , Functions etc in order to benchmark the part in an effective way also he looks in the way of cost cutting too .

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Comparison chart for 4 models for Mr.Pugazh :

Model	Tata Nexon	Mahindra XUV300	Hyundai Venue	Nissan Magnite
Variant	XM	W4 1.2 Petrol	S 1.2 Petrol	XV
Engine	1199 cc, 3 Cylinders Inline, 2 Valves/Cylinder, SOHC	1197 cc, 3 Cylinders Inline, 4 Valves/Cylinder, DOHC	1197 cc, 4 Cylinders Inline, 4 Valves/Cylinder, DOHC	999 cc, 3 Cylinders Inline, 4 Valves/Cylinder, DOHC
Engine Type	1.2L Turbocharged Revotron	1.2 Turbo Petrol	1.2 Kappa	1.0L HRAO Turbo
Fuel Type	Petrol	Petrol	Petrol	Petrol
Max Power (bhp@rpm)	118 bhp @ 5500 rpm	109 bhp @ 5000 rpm	82 bhp @ 6000 rpm	99 bhp @ 5000 rpm
Max Torque (Nm@rpm)	170 Nm @ 1750 rpm	200 Nm @ 2000 rpm	114 Nm @ 4000 rpm	152 Nm @ 2200 rpm
Mileage (ARAI)	17.5 kmpl	17 kmpl	17.5 kmpl	17.7 kmpl
Transmission	Manual - 6 Gears, Sport Mode	Manual - 6 Gears	Manual - 5 Gears	Automatic (CVT) - CVT Gears, Sport Mode
Dimensions	L 3993 mm x W 1811 mm x H 1606 mm	L 3995 mm x W 1821 mm x H 1627 mm	L 3995 mm x W 1770 mm x H 1617 mm	L 3994 mm x W 1758 mm x H 1572 mm
Wheelbase	2498 mm	2600 mm	2500 mm	2500 mm
Ground Clearance	209 mm	180 mm	195 mm	205 mm
Seating Capacity	5 Person	5 Person	5 Person	5 Person
Bootspace	350 litres	257 litres	350 litres	336 litres
Fuel Tank Capacity	44 litres	42 litres	45 litres	40 litres
NCAP Rating	5 Star (Global NCAP)	5 Star (Global NCAP)	Not Tested	4 Star (ASEAN NCAP)
Kool aspects	1.2 Airbags (Driver, Passenger) 2. Electronic Stability Program (ESP) 3.Traction Control System (TC/TCS) 4. 5 star rating	1.1.2 Airbags (Driver, Passenger) 2.5 Star (Global NCAP)	1.2 Airbags (Driver, Front Passenger) 2.Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) 3. Electronic Stability Program (ESP) 4. Traction Control System (TC/TCS) 5. Rear AC Blower, Vents Behind Front Armrest 6.Touch-screen Display	1.2 Airbags (Driver, Front Passenger) 2.Electronic Stability Program (ESP) 3.Traction Control System (TC/TCS) 4.keyless locking 5.Automatic Climate Control 6.Reverse Camera with Guidance
Bad aspects	1. No rear AC 2. No parking assist 3. No keyless start 4. No rear armrest	1. No repair kit 2. No Traction control 3. No hill assist 4. No rear AC 5. No keyless start	1.No parking assist 2. No repair kit 3.Not Tested NCAP 4. No keyless start	1.No TPMS 2.No cruise control
Price	₹ 8.59 Lakh	₹ 8.41 Lakh	₹ 8.70 Lakh	₹ 8.88 Lakh

Ratings for 4 models :

1. Tata Nexon XM -

2. Mahindra XUV300 -

3. Hyundai Venue -

4. Nissan Magnite -

Conslusion :

As per the comparison & Mr.Pughazh's need I suggest Nissan Magnite for him which fullfills all his needs . Because as per his family members this is a 5 seater vehicle & also he belongs to bangalore which is one of the busy & thick traffic city .So, comparing to manual transmission I would suggest AMT to avoid using clutches continously in the traffic Also there are many good features in Nissan Magnite also as this satisfy by asthetically a big car .

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------