Maruti scores hattrick in 2007 J.D. Power APEAL

After topping the charts in customer satisfaction for the 8th consecutive year, Maruti has scored a hat trick with its three models leading their respective segments in India New-Vehicle Design and Performance.

SINGAPORE: 12 December 2007 — Three Maruti models, as well as models from Mahindra-Renault, Chevrolet, Toyota and Honda rank highest in their respective segments in new-vehicle design and performance in India, according to the J.D. Power Asia Pacific 2007 India Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout StudySM (APEAL) released today.

The study now examines nearly 100 attributes covering 10 vehicle factors: vehicle exterior; vehicle interior; storage and space; audio/entertainment/navigation; seats; heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC); driving dynamics; engine/transmission; visibility and driving safety; and fuel economy.

The Mahindra-Renault Logan (entry midsize), Chevrolet Optra (premium midsize), Toyota Innova (MUV/MPV) and Honda CR-V (SUV) each rank highest in their respective segments. The Mahindra-Renault Logan is a new model in 2007, while the Honda CR-V has been redesigned.

The new Maruti Zen Estilo ranks highest in the compact segment with a score of 814 on a 1,000-point scale, and performs particularly well in seven of the 10 factors, including vehicle exterior; vehicle interior; seats; HVAC; engine/transmission; visibility and driving safety; and fuel economy. The Maruti Swift leads the premium compact segment with a score of 787, while the Maruti SX4 ranks highest in the midsize segment with a score of 835.

Earlier:-
For an eighth consecutive year, Maruti Suzuki ranks highest in customer satisfaction with authorized dealership service, according to the J.D. Power Asia Pacific 2007 India Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) StudySM released today.


Even in Initial quality Study Maruti models were second to only Chevrolet.
So clearly Maruti deserves its market share of 55% and i guess it would remain the leader for quite some time. Now a thing i would like to mention here is i have found AUTOCAR India to especially biased towards Hyundai in their opinions and reviews conducted in the magazine and also in Hindustan Times Bike&Car section on Wednesdays.

AutoCar India has repeatedly rated Maruti model to lack quality, refinement and resale value especially in their Santro vs Wagon R vs Estilo comparisons. I found it to be completely ridiculous, that Hyundai Santro has a better resale value as compared to Wagon R. Any one who has tried to buy a second hand car would agree that getting a Wagon R is really tough as compared to a Santro. For every Wagon R you would find 7 to 8 Santro which are all priced about 70% to that of a Wagon R in a second had car market.

Related :-
Chevrolet scores in J.D Power Asia Pacific 2007 In Initial Quality Study
Pictures and details of Maruti Suzuki's new World car A-Star
Maruti Suzuki Splash to replace Wagon R in 2008

Read it from J.D. Power here & here

New Maruti Zen Estilo

Even more confusion.
Last month i was confused and had tough time making a call between Maruti Wagon R and Santro. After visiting both the showrooms and taking the test drives, asking lot of friends for opinions finally decided to book a Wagon R Lxi. BUT then Maruti Udyog introduced the all-new Zen Estilo.
For the first time ever maruti has retired a model completely and introduced a new one.
Estil0 = Style. But technically speaking this is not at all a zen. This more like a funky Wagon R , it also reminds of cute lil Matiz. The Alto, Wagon R and the Zen Estilo are spun off the same platform. The 1061cc 16-valve four-cylinder motor that develops 64 bhp at 6200 revs and 8.5 kgm of torque at 3500 rpm.
The cheapest version of the car will have a showroom price of Rs 319,403 in New Delhi.

So the question is should i consider my self lucky that i havent booked the new WagonR (new withe aggressive styling and face lift) ??? i dont know Because i am confused once again.

Santro / Wagon R / Zen Estilo ???