Benchmarking

BENCHMARKING:

• Benchmarking is the process of continuously comparing and measuring an organization against its past performance or comparing its performance to another comparable organization.
• A benchmarking practice provides information that will help an organization take action to improve its performance.
• Benchmarking can also be defined as a structured comparison between similar products, services, or processes on some dimensions of performance.
• Based on the case study we will be benchmarking few cars and provide a suitable conclusion

CASE STUDY:

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, a five-year-old boy, his father, and his mother. He visits his native place Madurai which is 500kms away from Bangalore once 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 options so that he will buy a good car for his family.

Note: Pughazhyendhii is fond of big cars

APPROACH TO THIS CASE:

• As per the case study, we have to perform benchmarking for at least 4 cars which will be most probably SUV because there are 5 family members including himself, he has to regularly commute to his office, long-distance traveling to visit his native place once a month with his family, and most importantly the budget is between 8 to 10 lakhs. Pughazhyendhii is also fond of big cars.
• Let's consider one more condition which is the traffic condition in Bangalore. Based on all these requirements compact SUV is the best option. We will recommend the best out of all these SUV.
• Selected Cars: TATA Nexon, KIA Seltos, Maruti Suzuki S-Cross, Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza.
• Comparision is done based on safety, engine & transmission, capacity, braking & traction, comfort & convenience, & price.

TATA NEXON:

• The Tata Nexon(XE) is a compact SUV from the Indian automaker. Launched, in 2017, it received a facelift in 2019 and is offered across eight trim levels with a BS6 compliant powertrain and added equipment. Five Star G-NCAP safety rating
• In terms of exterior design, you get headlamps with a sharp design combined with a much sleeker grille as compared to the pre-facelift model. Even the bumper design is revised which has now a larger intake and a contrasting skid plate. In profile and at the back, things remain more or less unchanged. Also part of the update is a new alloy wheel design.
• On the inside, the Nexon continues to be spacious with its well-laid-out cabin. You’ve got a revised instrument cluster with an all-digital readout. The floating infotainment screen gets mobile connectivity features as well. Apart from the new upholstery, Nexon’s updated cabin also packs in new equipment to get it up to the mark with the competition. This includes a sunroof, fast mobile charger, rain-sensing wipers, and cruise control to name a few.
• In terms of powertrain, the Tata Nexon facelift is powered by BS6 compliant versions of the 1.2-liter turbocharged petrol engine and the 1.5-liter diesel engine. Transmission options include a six-speed manual gearbox and an automated manual transmission for both engines.

KIA SELTOS:

• The Kia Seltos HTE 1.5 was the first SUV from Kia for the Indian car market and has been on sale since 2019. Now in 2021, along with the new brand logo, Kia has introduced two new variants and has also rejigged the existing mid-spec variants with new features and updates.
• In terms of exterior looks, the Kia Seltos remain the same and has a very busy but unique front design. The chrome-finished signature tiger-nose grille is flanked by stylish pair of headlamps which are integrated with LED daytime running lights. The horizontally stacked fog lamps also look handsome.
• At the back, the well-appointed LED headlamps add to the muscular stance of Seltos. There’s chrome slat joining the tail lamps and the sculpted bumper with faux bash plates rounds off the Seltos’ exterior looks.
• On the inside, along with the existing features like an electric sunroof, ambient lighting, leather seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, front ventilated seats, the mid-spec variants now receive add-ons such as smart-key with remote engine start, new AI voice commands, electronic stability control, brake assist, and vehicle stability management.
• Powertrain options for the Kia Seltos include a 1.5-liter petrol engine, 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine, and a 1.5-liter diesel engine. The 1.5-liter petrol motor is available with a six-speed manual transmission, a CVT unit, and a iMT gearbox. The 1.4-liter turbo-petrol motor is offered only with a seven-speed DCT unit with steering-mounted paddle shifters. The 1.5-liter diesel motor can be had with a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic transmission.

MARUTI SUZUKI S-CROSS:

• The Maruti Suzuki S-Cross Sigma petrol is powered by a 1.5-liter K15B engine that is capable of producing 103bhp and 138Nm of torque. This engine is offered with a five-speed manual transmission and a four-speed automatic unit.
• The model is available in four trims that include Sigma, Delta, Zeta, and Alpha. The new Maruti Suzuki S-Cross petrol version comes equipped with an array of features such as the SmartPlay infotainment system, cruise control, climate control, engine start-stop button, leather upholstery, dual front airbags, and a height-adjustable driver seat.
• The Maruti Suzuki S-Cross petrol has been launched in India, with prices starting at Rs 8.39 lakh (ex-showroom). The model is available in five colors that include Nexa Blue, Caffeine Brown, Granite Grey, Pearl Arctic White, and Premium Silver.

MARUTI SUZUKI VITARA BREZZA:

• The Maruti Vitara Brezza LXi is powered by a 1.5-liter K-Series petrol engine that produces 103bhp and 138Nm of torque. It is offered with a five-speed manual transmission and an automatic transmission with Smart Hybrid technology.
• The Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza is available with updated styling, additional equipment, and a new petrol engine. The facelifted Vitara Brezza is available in three new color options including Torque Blue, Oven Red, and Autumn Orange. The compact SUV is also available in three new dual-tone color options - Sizzling Red with Midnight Black roof, Torque Blue with midnight Black roof, and Granite Grey with Autumn Orange roof.
• Exterior - Feature highlights of the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza facelift include projector headlamps with LED DRLs, new grille, new 16-inch dual-tone alloy wheels, LED tail-lights, and a revised rear bumper for freshness. As for the rear, the Vitara Brezza gets new LED taillights and a slightly restyled rear bumper.
• The vehicle gets fabric upholstery with an all-black theme. The vehicle gets a leather-wrapped steering wheel, auto-dimming IRVM, and the SmartPlay infotainment system. The top-spec variant gets features like auto-dimming IRVMs and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

SPECIFICATIONS CHART:

1. Engine & Transmission

2. Braking & Traction

3. Capacity

4. Comfort & Convenience

5. Safety

6. Prices(Ex-showroom)

TATA NEXON - INR 7.20 lakh

KIA SELTOS - INR 9.95 lakh

MARUTI SUZUKI S-CROSS - INR 8.39 lakh

MARUTI SUZUKI VITARA BREZZA - INR 8.57 lakh

CONCLUSION:

• Based on all the data mentioned above, I have shortlisted TATA Nexon and Maruti Suzuki S-cross for final coparision.
• Both the companies belongs to Indian origin. Both companies are well established in private vehicle industries. After sales service available PAN India. In case of breakdown, part replacements can be done anywhere across the nation.(for both cases)
• Five Star G-NCAP safety rating for TATA Nexon. New sharper styling makes the new Nexon look upmarket. Nexon provides max power of 118bhp, mileage of 17.4kmpl, 1199 cc 3 Cylinders Inline, Manual-6 Gears Sport Mode with turbocharger.
• Maruti Suzuki S-Cross provides 1462 cc 4 Cylinders Inline, max power of 103 bhp, mileage of 18.55kmpl, Manual - 5 Gears with regenerative braking and idle start/stop.
• Comparision chart for both the cars is shown below:

• I will recommend TATA Nexon (XE) to Mr. D.S. Pughazhyendhii because of availability of more safety features at such a low price. Although there is some difference in mileage because of difference in engine capacity. But for daily commute to office and once in a month visit to native place that won't make any difference.

Reference:

www.carwale.com