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.

Product Benchmarking, also referred to as “best practice benchmarking” is an evaluation process of a manufacturer that is measured against the process of its competitors or peers within a given industry. The goal is to create and implement improvement plans and best practices to increase performance in the production lifecycle, and/or other manufacturing and business processes and practices. By discovering the best achievable performance, process gaps can be eliminated.

While product benchmarking in the automotive industry traditionally involves other manufacturers, its primary purpose is to positively impact internal processes. Consequently, benchmarking can be based on internal measurement where cooperative manufacturing process benchmarks of other manufactures is a secondary measure. This goes to the heart to understanding the purpose and use of benchmarking. Often benchmarking is focused on the manufacturing process itself to:

• Improve quality
• Decrease manufacturing times
• Reduce Scrap and rework
• Increase production

Clearly in any benchmarking study, the choice of which attributes to measure is of paramount importance. This centers on a set of performance measures and often how closely a plant is adhered to the “lean production model”. This would involve three primary areas including productivity, quality and time.

Mr. D.S. Pughazhyendhii has a certain criteria before buying a vehicle for himself and his family which includes-

1. To cummute daily to his office in the crowded city of Banglaore.
2. His family comprises of five members including him, his wife, both of his parents and his 5 year old kid.
3. He visits his native place every month which is 500 kms away.
4. Mr. D.S.P's budget is 8-10L.
5. He happens to being fond of big cars.

Since Mr. D.S.P. is fond of big cars the car segment that he mostly will incline towards would be compact SUVs. However, with the budget of 8 to 10L, only the base variant can be affordable without any additional loading of features.

The recommendations-

1. Hyundai Venue- 9.18L

Hyundai Venue E 1.2 Petrol is the petrol variant in the Hyundai Venue lineup and is priced at ₹ 9.18 Lakh.It returns a certified mileage of 17.5 kmpl. This E 1.2 Petrol variant comes with an engine putting out 82 bhp @ 6000 rpm and 113.8 Nm @ 4000 rpm of max power and max torque respectively. Hyundai Venue E 1.2 Petrol is available in Manual transmission and offered in 6 colours.

Specs-

1. Mileage (ARAI)- 17.5 kmpl
2. Driving Range- 789 Km
3. Bootspace- 328 litres
4. Steering Type Power assisted (Electric)
5. Airbags- 2 Airbags (Driver, Front Passenger)

User reviews-

1. Very comfortable driving. Look is very attractive Service center is very helpful. Buying experience is very simple. Pros : Feature-loaded to the brim Cons: Lack of rear space
2. Driving Experience is very great and fuel is more effective when going on villages and city on Highway. It can claim up to 19.8Km.

Need improvements-

1. Cramped rear seat - Does not feel airy, uncomfortable for three occupants.
2. Unsorted ride - Broken surfaces are felt within the cabin, bounces at higher speeds.

2. Kia Sonet- 9.06L

Kia Sonet HTE 1.2 is the petrol variant in the Kia Sonet lineup and is priced at ₹ 9.06 Lakh.It returns a certified mileage of 18.4 kmpl. This HTE 1.2 variant comes with an engine putting out 82 bhp @ 6000 rpm and 115 Nm @ 4200 rpm of max power and max torque respectively. Kia Sonet HTE 1.2 is available in Manual transmission and offered in 4 colours.

1. Mileage (ARAI)- 18.4 kmpl
2. Driving Range- 828 Km
3. Bootspace- 392 litres
4. Airbags- 4 Airbags (Driver, Front Passenger, Driver Side, Front Passenger Side)

User reviews-

1. Have taken test ride for Nexon AMT, Brezza TC, Venue DCT and Sonet DCT. Nexon's built quality is superb but AMT gearbox is not so responsive. Brezza is an overrated car. Look is boxy and old non turbo engine. Venue is more compact and rear is congested. Sonet in the other hand is good looking smart car. It's tiger nose grill makes it distinct from others. It's rear is also very attractive with full wrap around tail lamps. It's DCT gearbox with paddle shifters are very smart and responsive. You don't feel any lag at any speed. It's MID unit also unique and futuristic. It has electric sunroof which is icing on cake. Music system is fantastic. It's a complete family car within budget.
2. Buying experience, driving , seats interior amazing comfortable than others in this segment. Performance is so high that can't be explained. Service center improving day by days.

Need improvements-

1. Firm ride quality - Never feels settled, bounces at high speeds under full load
2. Rear seat space - The rear bench is a squeeze for anything more than two adults.
3. Rear visibility - Is hampered by the chunky C-pillars and compact rear windscreen

3. Maruti Suzuki Brezza- 9.62L

1. Mileage (ARAI)- 20.1 kmpl
2. Driving Range- 965 Km
3. Bootspace- 328 litres
4. Anti-glare Mirrors- Manual - Internal Only
5. Airbags- 2 Airbags (Driver, Front Passenger)

User reviews-

1. Good car for city as well as highway drives. Engine gives good performance on normal speed. 5 persons can go for a medium distance drive comfortably.
2. Buying experience is good. Value for money. Car is far better than other contemporaries. Engine and exterior is good looking. It's a family SUV. Cost effective car in market. So you can buy and enjoy.

Need improvements-

1. Ride quality at slow speeds- Conspicuous vertical movement over broken roads.

4. Tata Nexon- 9.32L

The Tata Nexon is available in both petrol and diesel engine options. The 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine generates 118bhp at 5,500rpm and 170Nm of torque at 1,750rpm. On the other hand, the 1.5-litre diesel engine produces 108bhp at 4,000rpm and 260Nm of torque at 1,500rpm. Transmission options include a six-speed manual gearbox and an optional AMT unit.

Specs(1.2l petrol)-

1. Mileage (ARAI)- 17.5 kmpl
2. Driving Range- 773 Km
3. Bootspace- 350 litres
4. Puncture Repair Kit
5. Airbags- 2 Airbags (Driver, Passenger)
6. Child Safety Lock
7. Anti-glare Mirrors- Manual - Internal Only

User reviews-

1. The gear shift is smooth and seating is comfortable. I have seen around 19 KMPL mileage in my whole drive within the traffic. Who ever looks for mileage can go for this car.
2. Spacious cabin - Despite the compact footprint, it is roomier than segment rivals.

Need improvements-

1. Infotainment screen - Slow responses, low-resolution screen, interface not intuitive.

From the above recommendations, Tata Nexon would be the best choice to go with. It has a decent mileage and driving range on offer. For Mr.D.S.P. the child lock featue for the rear passenger seat will serve well. As for the adults the co-passenger seat is never a problem while the rear space would also not be an issue in this car as compared to the other cars in the same segment. Daily commuting and long distance travel as well would not impose any problem on the performance of the car. All in all Tata Nexon is a car suitable to families of 4 to 5 members with benefits performance-wise under 10L Rupees.