Benchmarking

The task is to create a benchmarking report on different variants of cars ranging in between 8 to 10 lakhs rupees as on road price in the city Bangalore and select one suitable car for the family of Mr. D.S. Pughazhyendhii. He requires car for his daily commute to office and once in a month a long drive journey with his five-member family including a child. As he also loves big cars the report contains the comparisons of compact sized SUVs between the mentioned requirements.

What is Benchmarking? 

When creating a product, engineers must think about the similar products that are already available in the market. By studying those products and making comparisons, engineers can improvise on the product they have envisioned. This process of studying and comparing the existing as well as new products is known as benchmarking. Benchmarking is the process of comparing a firm's performance to that of another company that is thought to be the best in the industry for its products, services, or procedures. To reach that better quality, benchmarking aims to develop new procedures or enhance existing ones.

In this report, the customer has given the requirements that should be considered while buying a car. The needed targeted specification for choosing a car will be milage, interior space, safety, and ease of driving and parking.  Out of many cars, the report compares following four suitable vehicles and points out the best suited car for the customer.

1. TATA NEXON 

SPECIFICATIONS
Engine Displacement (cc)	1199
Petrol Milage (ARAI)	17
Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres)	44
Length X Width X Height (mm)	3993 X 1811 X 1606
Wheelbase (mm)	2498
Boot-space (Litres)	350
No. of Airbags	2
Steering Type	Electric
Front and Rear Brake	Disc & Drum

Pros: Multi drive modes including ECO, CITY and SPORT, projector Headlamps, Driving experience control eco system, Central console arm rest with storage, height adjustable driver seat, greater quality plastic interior trims.

Cons: No rear power windows, manually adjustable exterior rear view mirror, No rear camera.

2. SUZUKI FRONX

SPECIFICATIONS
Engine Displacement (cc)	1197
Petrol Milage (ARAI)	21
Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres)	37
Length X Width X Height (mm)	3995 X 1765 X 1550
Wheelbase (mm)	2520
Boot-space (Litres)	308
No. of Airbags	2
Steering Type	Electric
Front and Rear Brake	Disc & Disc

Pros: All power windows, premium fabric seat, keyless entry

Cons: no height adjustable driver seat, manually adjustable exterior rear view mirrors, no rear camera.

3. HYUNDAI VENUE

SPECIFICATIONS
Engine Displacement (cc)	1197
Petrol Milage (ARAI)	18
Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres)	45
Length X Width X Height (mm)	3995 X 1770 X 1617
Wheelbase (mm)	2500
Boot-space (Litres)	350
No. of Airbags	2
Steering Type	Power
Front and Rear Brake	Disc & Drum

Pros: Dual tone interior, high quality plastic interior trim.

Cons: No brake assist, no rear camera, no rear power windows, small tyre size in the segment.

4. KIA SONET

SPECIFICATIONS
Engine Displacement (cc)	1197
Petrol Milage (ARAI)	18
Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres)	45
Length X Width X Height (mm)	3995 X 1790 X 1642
Wheelbase (mm)	2500
Boot-space (Litres)	392
No. of Airbags	4
Steering Type	Electric
Front and Rear Brake	Disc & Drum

Pros: More airbags in the segment, power adjustable exterior rear view mirror

Cons: No ISOFIX Child seat mounts, no brake assist, small tyre size in the segment.

Conclusion:

The above compared cars’ prices (on-road) ranges in between 9 lakh to 10 lakh and have very similar features as their rivals. The Hyundai Venue and Kia Sonet has almost same dimensions and features but as Sonet does not have child mounts it goes out of the consideration as it does not satisfy the requirement. Venue having better boot space than remaining two cars it does lack features in the segment. The Suzuki Fronx is a stylish looking SUV having the longest wheelbase in the segment making the cabin spacious for all passengers. It has features such as keyless entry which is comfortable for daily use and all power windows provide comfort to rear passengers. With petrol milage of 21 kpl the Fronx is a great car to take on long drives and city commute. However, with three drive modes engineered for city driving, the Tata Nexon tops the comparison packing lot of other features. It has sufficient wheelbase and width for 5 passengers to seat comfortably. The comfort features such as front armrest, height adjustable driver seat makes the car the best option for crowded city as well as long drive. Hence, TATA NEXON is the best suitable car for Mr. D.S. Pughazhyendhii and his family.