Benchmarking

WHAT IS BENCH-MARKING?

Benchmarking in the automotive industry refers to the process of comparing a company's products, processes, or performance metrics with those of its competitors or industry leaders. It involves gathering data, analysing it, and identifying areas where a company can improve or learn from others to enhance its own performance.

In the automotive industry, benchmarking can be applied to various aspects, including:

1. Product Development: Companies may benchmark their vehicles against competitors' models to understand their strengths and weaknesses. This could involve evaluating factors such as design, performance, safety features, fuel efficiency, technology integration, and customer satisfaction.
2. Manufacturing Processes: Benchmarking manufacturing processes helps companies identify opportunities for improvement in terms of efficiency, quality, cost-effectiveness, and resource utilization. It involves studying best practices, production techniques, equipment, and supply chain management systems of industry leaders.
3. Supply Chain Management: Benchmarking supply chain operations allows companies to evaluate their logistics, inventory management, procurement practices, and supplier relationships. By comparing themselves with top performers, automotive companies can identify areas for optimization and develop strategies to enhance efficiency and reduce costs.
4. Performance Metrics: Benchmarking performance metrics involves comparing key performance indicators (KPIs) such as sales volumes, market share, revenue, profitability, customer satisfaction, and brand perception with those of competitors. This helps identify areas of competitive advantage or areas where improvements are required.
5. Continuous Improvement: Benchmarking also plays a vital role in fostering a culture of continuous improvement within automotive companies. By regularly evaluating their own performance against industry benchmarks, companies can set goals, track progress, and implement necessary changes to stay competitive.

Benchmarking can be conducted through various methods, including data collection, industry reports, market research, site visits, interviews, surveys, and collaboration with industry associations. The insights gained through benchmarking can help automotive companies set strategic goals, make informed decisions, and drive innovation to stay ahead in the market.

DEEP COMPARING WITH 4 VECHILES

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Good Aspects:

• Peppy Engine
• Brilliant Ride Quality
• Good Presence

Bad Aspects:

• Not the most spacious
• Seats need to be firmer.

Mileage:

• ARAI: 20.01 - 22.89 kmpl
• City: 18-20 kmpl
• Highway: 21 – 23 kmpl

Maruti Suzuki Fronx price in India starts from ₹ 7.47 Lakh. Fronx is available in 9 colours - Nexa Blue (Celestial), Arctic White, Splendid Silver, Grandeur Grey, Earthen Brown, Opulent Red, Earthen Brown with Black roof, Splendid Silver with Black roof, and Opulent Red with Black roof. Fronx seating capacity is 5 People. Fronx mileage is 20.01 - 22.89 km/l. Fronx has received Not Tested safety rating.

Fronx car is available in 12 versions and 1 fuel options - petrol. Fronx petrol models comes with 1197cc engine which generates a peak power of 89 bhp @ 6000 rpm. Fronx is also offered in 998cc petrol engine which generates a peak power of 99 bhp @ 5500 rpm.

The new Maruti Suzuki Fronx, a Compact SUV from Maruti Suzuki, was launched in India in Apr 2023. Fronx has received a 8/10 rating from our experts and a 84% rating score from our users. Fronx is preferred for its styling and comfort.

Tata Nexon

Good Aspects:

• Powerful And Torquey Petrol And Diesel Engine Options
• Good Road Presence and Ground Clearance
• Petrol And Diesel Automatic Options
• Feature Loaded for The Price

Bad Aspects:

• Poor Feature Distribution
• Missing Features
• Expensive AMT And Diesel Variants
• 6-Month Service Interval

Mileage:

• ARAI: 16 - 17.33 kmpl
• City: 15-17 kmpl
• Highway: 16 – 17.33 kmpl

Tata Nexon price in India goes from ₹ 7.80 Lakh in India. Tata Nexon being a Compact SUV comes in 66 variants. The base model of Tata Nexon - XE starts at ₹ 7.80 Lakh in Delhi and the top model of Tata Nexon - XZA Plus LUXS Diesel Red Dark Edition is priced at ₹ 14.50 Lakh in Delhi. If you are looking for a 5-seater car, then you should consider Nexon.

Nexon car comes in 35 petrol versions, 30 diesel versions and 1 cng versions. The Nexon petrol version comes with a 1199cc engine capacity and Manual or Automatic (AMT) transmission modes. It generates 118 bhp @ 5500 rpm. The Nexon diesel version comes with a 1497cc engine capacity and Manual or Automatic (AMT) transmission modes. It generates 113 bhp @ 3750 rpm.

Tata Nexon comes in 9 colours which include Foliage Green, Flame Red, Daytona Grey, Calgary White, Atlas Black, Grassland Beige with Piano Black Roof, Royale Blue, Starlight, and Oberon Black.

Kia Sonet

Good Aspects:

• Frugal and Diversified Powertrains
• Good Boot Space and Ground Clearance
• Loads of Features
• Affordable Diesel AT

Bad Aspects:

• Lack of Seating Space
• Not so Supple ride
• Some Glaring Omission of Features

Mileage:

• ARAI: 18.3 Kmpl to 24.1 Kmpl
• City: 16-17 kmpl
• Highway: 19 – 24.1 kmpl

Kia Sonet price in India starts from ₹ 7.79 Lakh. Sonet is available in 10 colours - Intense Red/ Aurora Black Pearl, Glacier White Pearl/ Aurora Black Pearl, Glacier White Pearl, Gravity Grey, Intense Red, Aurora Black Pearl, Imperial Blue, Sparkling Silver, Clear White, and Matte Graphite. Sonet seating capacity is 5 People. Sonet has received Not Tested safety rating.

Sonet car is available in 29 versions and 2 fuel options - petrol and diesel. Sonet petrol models comes with 1197cc engine which generates a peak power of 82 bhp @ 6000 rpm. Sonet is also offered in 998cc petrol engine which generates a peak power of 118 bhp @ 6000 rpm.

The new Kia Sonet, a Compact SUV from Kia, was launched in India in Mar 2023. Sonet has received a 87% rating score from our users. Sonet is preferred for its styling and comfort.

Hyundai Venue

Good Aspects:

• Choice Of 3 Powertrain Options
• 1.2L Normal Petrol Now Available With SX
• Loaded With Features
• Good Performance and Fuel Efficiency with the 1.0L Turbo Petrol

Bad Aspects:

• Rear Armrest Not Available in Any Sub-Rs. 10 Lakh Variants
• DCT Automatic Is Yet to Prove Its Reliability
• S (O) Variants Offer Poor Value-For-Money
• No Diesel-Automatic Transmission Option

Mileage:

• ARAI: 23.40 kmpl
• City: 16 - 17 kmpl
• Highway: 18 – 22 kmpl

The Hyundai Venue has 1 Diesel Engine and 2 Petrol Engine on offer. The Diesel engine is 1493 cc while the Petrol engine is 1197 cc and 998 cc. It is available with Manual & Automatic transmission. Depending upon the variant and fuel type the Venue has a mileage of. The Venue is a 5-seater 3-cylinder car and has length of 3995mm, width of 1770mm and a wheelbase of 2500mm. The price of Hyundai Venue starts at Rs. 7.72 Lakh. Hyundai Venue is offered in 17 variants - the base model of Venue is E opt and the top variant Hyundai Venue SX opt Turbo DCT DT which comes at a price tag of Rs. 13.18 Lakh.

Suggesting a Single Suitable Vehicle among the Comparison Made

TATA NEXON

The one SUV that manages to stick many boxes and maybe a suitable option for you. We are referring to Tata Nexon that has been racking up substantial sales for the brand. The Neon’s price in India ranges between ₹7.29 lakh and ₹13.24 lakh (ex-showroom, India). But there are some other factors because of which you can consider the Nexon.

1. SAFETY: This is one of the main reasons why you should consider Tata Nexon. It was the first car from an Indian brand to score five stars in Global NCAP's crash test. This makes it one of the safest sub-compact SUVs in the country. The SUV gets dual airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability program, and reverse parking sensors as standard while higher trims get electronic traction control, roll-over mitigation, hydraulic brake assist, hill-hold control, and reversing camera.
2. PRACTICALITY: The Nexon offers one of the best ground clearances in its segment. With a clearance of 209 mm, the Nexon can take over challenging terrains with ease. So, if your regular route includes nasty speed-breakers or flooded roads then the Nexon will have you covered. And the 350-litres of boot space will be sufficient in most cases.
3. Features: Tata Nexon isn't the most feature-rich SUV in the segment but does get a variety of novel features such as a fully digital instrument cluster, a seven-inch touchscreen with smartphone connectivity, sunroof, iRA connectivity suite, automatic AC, cruise control, what3words navigation, Harman music system, and two driving modes. In addition to these, the Nexon also has automatic headlamps and rain-sensing wipers that make driving more convenient.
4. Turbo petrol engine: If you want a spirited engine that doesn't leave you wanting for power (in most cases) then you should consider Tata Nexon. Its 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine churns out 118 bhp with 170 Nm. You can pair this powerplant with a six-speed manual gearbox or AMT unit for added convenience.
5. Diesel engine with AMT: Many sub-compact SUVs in India miss out on diesel engine option because of the stringent BS6 emission norms. And those SUVs that do offer diesel engine usually do not offer the option of an automatic gearbox. However Tata Nexon's 1.5-litre diesel engine can be had with the cost-effective six-speed AMT option for a hassle-free drive. This engine, by the way, makes 108 bhp with 260 Nm.