Benchmarking

BENCHMARKING :--

Benchmarking involves a structured comparison between similar products, services or processes on some dimensions of performance. For example, it can be used to compare the availability and delivery of features in a product and in this form often provides the basis of consumer tests and reviews. These look at products and services and provide recommendations based on which is best or some form of ranking amongst competitors. It help to analysis the company design and deliver better product to customer at competitive price and quality.

Flow Chart of ASI Benchmarking institute in India is as follow:

This process narrowed down consumer expectations to the following parameters:

Out of these parameters, cost of ownership and after sales service are widely benchmarked across the world and in India to rank car manufacturers. Testing Safety of the car is in the scope of regulatory agencies in India and abroad. Hence our study has excluded these two parameters. Comfort and Performance affect the consumer in day to day life but are never benchmarked at large scale across the segments. We’ve broken these vital attributes into sub groups for measurement and comparison.

The Scoring on the various parameter is given ASI Benchmarking institution are shown below with sample example.

Following graph shows the comparison for various parameters for driver. As these are Rankings, the lower the better. The scores are on a scale of 1 to 6, 1 being best

Noise refers to noise levels as heard by driver and passengers, articulation index and similar parameters.

Vibration score includes seat pad vibrations, tactile vibration on steering and gear lever, floor vibrations etc. More on this here.

Bump isolation measures the acceleration and displacement experienced by the driver and passenger when the car is driven on a standard bump at a fixed speed.

Seat comfort is an extensive in-depth measurement and analysis of seat pressure profile and high pressure zones to ascertain cushion performance, thigh and lumbar support and more parameters under different driving conditions. More in-depth reading of this can be done here.

Steering score refers to effort required by the driver in doing several steering intensive maneuvers like parallel parking and U-Turn.

ABC pedal score is a result of effort required by the driver in pressing these pedals under typical running conditions.

Acceleration refers 0-60 kmph and 0-100 kmph times and g values under normal usage conditions (tyre pressure, fuel carried and occupancy).

Braking refers to time and de-acceleration from these speeds.

From the above trends, we can see the focus of different cars and their performance on those attributes. This bird’s eye view in explored in detail in the following sections to understand their effect on the overall scores.

Body In White (BIW) Benchmarking

generating 3D CAD Data for a BiW through automotive 3d scanning and reverse engineering which is extremely useful in crashworthiness analysis of a car BiW, and how 2D CAD outputs are useful to automotive design engineers in analysing section modulus for strength requirements.

Case Study:

Mr. D.S. Pughazhyendhii is a married man who lives in Bangalore which is a highly crowded city. His Family comprises five members including his wife, five-year-old boy, his father, and his mother. He visits his native place Madurai which is 500kms away from Bangalore once in a month. Also, he will be using his car to commute to his office. His budget falls between 8 to 10 lakhs on road. Please suggest to him with options so that he will buy a good car for his family.

Note: Pughazhyendhii is fond of big cars

Given Data:

• of person for commute:- 5 persons
• Budget: 8 to 10 lakhs
• Monthly total driving: 2200 to 2300km

1000 km to native trip

40kmx 26 days =1040km to office

160km misc. travelling

• Age type of people commuting: 5 to 60+ year old
• Living place : Bangalore crowdy and heavily traffic place.

Points to consider for selection:

• Safety
• Mileage
• Bootspace
• Gear transmission type
• comfort
• Cost
• Design and style

• Suitable cars :

  • Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza
  • Skoda rapid TSI
  • Tata Nexon
  • Mahindra XUV 300

  Basic characteristics of cars:

  1. Good seating arrangement.
  2. Safety.
  3. BS6 Engine used.
  4. Good Mileage.
  5. Good Interiors.
  6. Lightweight Car body.
  7. Specifications of cars

  Model and Specifications

  Model (All are base models)	Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza	Hyundai Venue	Tata Nexon	Mahindra XUV 300
  Engine	1462 cc, 4 Cylinders Inline, 4 Valves/Cylinder, DOHC	1197 cc, 4 Cylinders Inline, 4 Valves/Cylinder, DOHC	1199 cc, 3 Cylinders Inline, 2 Valves/Cylinder, SOHC	1197 cc, 3 Cylinders Inline, 4 Valves/Cylinder, DOHC
  Engine Type	K15B	1.2 l Kappa	1.2L	1.2
  Fuel Type	Petrol	Petrol	Petrol	Petrol
  Max Power (bhp@rpm)	103 bhp @ 6000 rpm	82 bhp @ 6000 rpm	118 bhp @ 5500 rpm	109 bhp @ 5000 rpm
  Max Torque (Nm@rpm)	138 Nm @ 4400 rpm	114 Nm @ 4000 rpm	170 Nm @ 1750 rpm	200 Nm @ 2000 rpm
  Mileage (ARAI) (kmpl)	17.03	17.52	17.4	17
  Driving Range (Km)	817.44	788	765.6	714
  Drivetrain	FWD	FWD	FWD	FWD
  Transmission	Manual - 5 Gears	Manual - 5 Gears	Manual - 6 Gears	Manual - 6 Gears
  Emission Standard	BS 6	BS 6	BS 6	BS 6
  Seating Capacity	5	5	5	5
  Safety	4 Star	4 Star	5 Star	5 Star
  Pros	High seating, easy to drive Peace of mind ownership Popular compact SUV	Quality interiors Lots of powertrain options Features list	Upmarket looks, Five-star G-NCAP safety Spacious cabin compared to rivals Easy to drive and live with	Powerful motors AMT is among the best in its class Comfortable ride quality
  Cons	Unexciting engine response and exterior design Firm slow-speed ride Ordinary fit and finish	Cabin space isn’t generous 1.2-litre petrol only available in entry-level trims Top-spec variants are costly	Interior quality Motor's low-end grunt Infotainment screen not as good as rivals	Top-end variants are pricey Interior fit and finish is not the best Looks disproportionate
  Images

  Conclusion :-

  • I would suggest Tata Nexon for Mr.D.S.Pughazhyendhii because of the Five star G-NCAP Safety and it has more power (BHP),BS6 Complaint and spacious cabin compared to rivals.
  • Over all it has good performance