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 is particularly useful when comparing not only performance but also practice in other words what do the different organizations do to enable that performance to be delivered. And applied in this way it is a powerful tool in process innovation since studying how the best achieve their performance can provide powerful clues for changing the way processes operate. Process benchmarking of this kind can operate at several levels:
• Between similar processes in the same factory or service branch
• Between different factories or service branches
• Between different competing organizations
• Between different sectors using the same process
Whilst if offers a significant learning opportunity benchmarking between competing organizations is harder than the other three because competitors do not want to disclose their process information since it is a source of competitive advantage to them. So benchmarking of this kind often involves a third party who can collect the data, make the comparison and provide feedback but all on a confidential basis.

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.

REPORT

Based on the case given we selected four cars for camparisson. The cars were selected based on the conditions that the buyer have a 5 member family , will be doing long distance travel,and based on the price range.

The cars that we have selected for the comparison are:

1. Honda Amaze

The Honda Amaze has both Diesel and Petrol Engine variant. The Diesel engine is 1498 cc while the Petrol engine is 1199 cc. It is available with the Manual & Automatic transmission. Depending upon the variant and fuel type the Amaze has a mileage of 18.3 to 24.7 kmpl. The Amaze is a 5-seater.The variant selected here for comparison is Honda Amaze E Diesel .The model is priced at Rs 9,19,708(on road Bangalore).

Pros :

• Comfortable ride over all surfaces, noiseless suspension even over broken roads
• Improved overall interior space with increased storage spaces, including 1-litre bottle holders on all doors
• Diesel-CVT is smooth, efficient and well suited for the city
• Largest-in-segment luggage compartment, well shaped too
• Comfortable seats front and rear, no issues seating tall passengers behind each other
• Long standard safety equipment list - ABS+EBD, dual airbags, ELR seatbelts, ISOFIX anchor point

Cons :

• Missing feature list - automatic headlamps, automatic wipers, projector headlamps
• Fit and finish issues, cost cutting is evident
• Rear headroom is at a premium, fixed headrests not comfortable
• Diesel engine is still noisy

2.Maruti Dzire

The Suzuki Dzire is built on the lightweight HEARTECT platform sourced from the India-spec Baleno hatchback. It has a completely revised external body design with a special focus on the front section. It has a newly designed large hexagonal grille in the front section flanked by an all-new projector headlamp and a strip of LED DRLs running on the cluster. The body loses its overly bulgy nature and looks cleaner than before.

The model selected here for comparison is Maruthi Dezire ZXI which is priced Rs.9,33,174(on road Bangalore).

Pros:

• Refined petrol engine
• High claimed efficiency
• Comfortable ride quality
• Loaded with features

Cons :

• Interior quality could have been better
• No diesel engine option

3.Hyundai Aura

The Hyundai Aura is a subcompact car produced by the South Korean manufacturer Hyundai. It is a sedan based on the third generation Hyundai i10, and was designed primarily for the Indian market. The Aura was launched on 21 January 2020 in India.The Aura features an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment with Android Auto system and Apple CarPlay compatibility, a Arkamys music system and a half-digital instrument cluster. Additionally, it is also well equipped with comfort features such as wireless charging, rear AC vent, rear centre armrest.

The model selected here for comparisson is Hyundai Aura S diesel which is priced at Rs.9,55,816(on road Bangalore).

Pros:

• Segment best feature list - wireless charging, projector foglamps, cruise control - gets everything!
• Interior quality feels on par with cars from a segment above.

Cons:

• Strict four-seater, seating five will be a stretch.
• Diesel engine not as refined as earlier.
• Silly misses: adjustable front headrests, backlit switches, front armrest.

4.Ford Aspire

Ford Aspire is powered by a 1499 cc engine which is available with a Manual transmission. The 1499 cc engine puts out 98.96bhp@3750rpm of power and 215Nm@1750-2500rpm of torque.

Ford Figo Aspire Titanium Diesel is the model selected and it is priced at Rs.9,63,742(on road Madurai).

Pros:

• Comfortable ride quality gobbles up potholes and broken surfaces
• Well-loaded lower variants. You don't need to spend big bucks to get a well-loaded car
• Clutch, steering and gear action is light. Makes it super easy to drive inside the city
• Punchy diesel engine is sure to put a smile on your face. Among the most fun to drive small sedans

Cons:

• Headroom continues to be an issue, especially for those around 6ft tall
• Missing features such as projector headlamps, daytime running lamps, leather-wrapped steering wheel.

From the above descriptions we can see that all models selected lies under same price category and each have its own pros and cons.

Specifications

• While comparing the specification of each selected models we can see that they have mostly similar specification
• Among them Honda amaze and Ford aspire was leading in engine segment.
• Dzire was having high power engine leading to more fuel consumtion and dezire also lacks deisel engine. It cannot be seen as a problem as their petrol engines were more refined and good.
• While hyundai Aura's specifications were little disapointing compared to the others.
• The other noticable thing is the weight difference it will not be much a defference if the weight defference provide extra features.

Safety

This comparison is to be made on the basis of NCAP score (NCAP – New Car Assessment Program which highlights the Safety Feature in car including how well the car performs in various Crash Test (Frontal, Side).The objective is to diagnose in Occupant Safety in case of collision and how well the safety equipment and features provides overall protection to car occupants including Adults and Children).

• Based on NCAP's assesment Ford aspire and honda amaze tend to achive a 4 star while Maruthi Dzire is only having a 2 star.
• Thus we can see that less weight of dzire has lead to less safety features
• Hyundai Aura is not present in the list as it has not been tested any were so its safety features so questionable.

Conclusion

After studying the features specifications and safety of all four vechicle we can see that

• Maruthi Dzire and Hyundai Aura lack at safety.
• Hyundai Aura has a less powerfull engine compared to its competitors and Maruthi dzire has a powerfull one but not efficient.
• Honda Amaze and Ford aspire leads in mostly all segments while Honda Amaze tend to have certain draw backs.
• Ford Aspire has better features and interior combared to honda Amaze.

From the All Four selected vechicles we clearly see Ford Aspire as a dominating one and I would be recomending to go on with it.