WHAT IS BENCHMARKING?

Benchmarking involves a structured comparison between similar products, services or processes on some range of performance. For illustration it can be used to compare the vacuity and delivery of features in a product and in this form frequently provides the base of consumer tests and reviews. These look at products and services and give recommendations rested on which is stylish or some form of ranking amongst competitors.

To comprehend and develop or increase the potential of their cars, automobile manufacturers must first benchmark their vehicles in the competitive industry. The objective evaluation provides a summary of findings for key characteristics in a competitive scatter-bands.

The automobile benchmarking considers 10 main attributes:

• Target future Performance
• Driveability
• Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)
• Sound / NVH
• RDE: CO2 / Real life fuel consumption
• Pollutant emissions
• Friction
• Thermal, energy management
• Vehicle dynamics, handling
• Ride Comfort

Benchmarking Initiative

Because any process, product, or function in a business is eligible for benchmarking and methodologies vary. Typically, the benchmarking process involves:

• Defining the subject of the benchmarking study

• Defining the process or attribute to be studied in detail

• Selecting and defining the measures

• Selecting the comparison set

• Assessing the data and identifying differences and gaps

• Reporting on the results, identifying improvements and repeating the process

Classifications of Benchmarking:

1.Internal benchmarking

This benchmarking is used when a company already has established and proven best practices and they simply need to share them. Internal benchmarking also may be necessary if comparable industries are not readily available.

2.Competitive benchmarking

When a business wishes to assess where it stands within its industry, competitive benchmarking is utilised. Additionally, when a business has to determine industry leadership performance objectives, competitive benchmarking is employed.

3.Strategic benchmarking

When locating and analysing performance of the highest calibre, strategic benchmarking is applied. This kind of benchmarking is most frequently employed when a business has to venture outside of its sector.

REQUIREMENTS:

Benchmark with presently available cars in the market for the following case.

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

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

Cars to be preffered:

1. Tata Nexon
2. Hyundai Venue
3. Renault Kiger.
4. Maruti Brezza.

1.Tata Nexon

Safety Specification:

• 4 airbags which includes dual front airbags.
• Rear parking sensors.
• ABS with EBD and ESP (Electronic Stability Program).
• ISOFIX child fit anchorages.
• Rear camera.

Dimensions:

• Length – 3993mm.
• Width – 1811mm.
• Wheelbase – 2498mm.

Varients:

The Tata Nexon is available in multiple variant options that include XE, XM, XM(S), XZ, XZ plus, XZ plus dual tone, XZ plus (O), XZ plus (O) dual tone, XZ plus Dark Edition, and XZ plus (O) Dark Edition.

The AMT variant options include XMA, XMA (S), XZA Plus, XZA Plus dual tone, XZA Plus Dark Edition, XZA Plus (S), XZA Plus dual-tone (S), XZA Plus (O), XZA Plus (O) dual tone, and XZA Plus (O) Dark Edition.

Price

On road price in Bangalore starts from 9.22 lakh onwards and changes with based on the different variants available in the market.

Pros:

• Upmarket looks, Five-star G-NCAP safety
• Spacious cabin with comfortable rear seats
• Well-sorted ride and handling

Cons:

• The interior quality doesn’t feel premium and could be better
• Uninspiring bottom-end engine performance

2.Hyundai venue

Safety Specification:

• 6 Airbag
• Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW)
• Rear Collision Cross-Traffic Warning (RCCW)
• Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)
• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA)
• Safety power window(driver's door)
  

Dimensions:

• Length – 3995mm.
• Width – 1770mm.
• Wheelbase – 2500mm.

Varients:

The Venue is available in multiple variant namely E, S, S Opt, S Opt Turbo iMT, S Plus Diesel, SX, SX DT, S Opt Turbo DCT, SX Diesel, SX DT Diesel, SX Opt Turbo iMT, SX Opt Turbo iMT DT, SX Opt Diesel, SX Opt DT Diesel, SX Opt Turbo DCT, SX Opt Turbo DCT DT.

Price

On road price in Bangalore starts from 9.12 lakh onwards and changes with based on the different variants available in the market.

Pros:

• Interior Quality is good.
• Factory fitted CNG option space.
• Practical infotainment system with 8-inch touch screen.

Cons:

• Inadequate rear seat space.
• Top-sec is expensive.

3.Renault Kiger

Safety Specification:

• 4 Airbag
• ABS & EBD.
• Rear view camera.
• Front parking sensor
  

Dimensions:

• Length – 3991mm.
• Width – 1750mm.
• Wheelbase – 2500mm.

Varients:

The Renault kiger is available in multiple variant such as RXE, RXL, RXT, RXT(O) and RXZ.

Price

On road price in Bangalore starts from 7.3 lakh onwards and changes with based on the different variants available in the market.

Pros:

• Well-tuned suspension feels at home tackling bad road conditions.
• Super spacious cabin makes it a genuine family car.
• 405-litre boot is the largest in its class.

Cons:

• Interior design looks plain and the cabin could do with livelier colours.
• Feel good features are reserved just for the top RxZ trim.
• Limited shoulder room in second row.

4.Maruti Brezza

Safety Specification:

• ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
• Central Locking
• EBD (Electronic Brake-force Distribution)
• ISOFIX (Child-Seat Mount)
• 2 air bags

Dimensions:

• Length – 3995mm.
• Width – 1790mm.
• Wheelbase – 2500mm.

Varients:

The Maruti brezza is offered in 11 variants namely Lxi, Vxi AT, Zxi, Zxi AT, Zxi AT DT, Vxi, Zxi DT, Zxi Plus, Zxi Plus AT, Zxi Plus AT DT, Zxi Plus DT.

Price

On road price in Bangalore starts from 9.58 lakh onwards and changes with based on the different variants available in the market.

Pros:

• Spacious interior with a wide backseat. A good 5-seater
• Comfortable ride quality
• Compact dimensions and light controls make it a great city car

Cons:

• Interior quality should have been better for the price
• No diesel engine option available unlike many alternatives
• Engine offers good useability but isn’t exciting
• 328-litre boot is among the smallest in the segmen

Conclusion:

By comparing the above 4 models of cars from different brands, I would suggest Tata Nexon for Mr.D.S. Pughazhyendhi’s Family.Because tata Nexon offering best and more important features in tech and safety than the other 3 models.The Tata Nexon is the 5-star rated car in GNCAP which is safest car in the compact SUV segment.