33% growth in Commercial Vehicle industry

New Delhi, Jun 7 (UNI) A buoyant Indian economy growing at more than 9 per cent coupled with a robust growth of movement of goods and passenger traffic via road has led to a 33 per cent growth in the Commercial Vehicle (CV) industry for the financial year 2006-07.

According to a survey conducted by market information group TNS, the country's CV industry is the fourth largest manufacturer in the world with major players being Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland , Mahindra and Mahindra , Eicher and Swaraj Mazda.

The survey states that in addition to infrastructure facilities (road networks and condition), Government regulatory norms (emission, loading, etc.), interest rates, economy health, fuel costs and freight costs, the industry dynamics in terms of demand is dependent on some of the consumer preferences.

The preferences could be vehicle price, specifications, applications, technology, fuel efficiency, spare parts availability, after sales network, the survey stated.

The survey adds that the efforts made by the manufactures in terms of infrastructure build-up at both sales and service outlets to provide facilities and customer comfort seem to have paid off handsomely.

In the key M&HCV category (MCV+HCV+Trailors), Tata scores highest on the Customer Satisfaction Index. AL leads in the MAV/HCV and the Tipper segment delivering the highest customer satisfaction index of 87 for Tippers.

In its second year of survey, TNS finds that Eicher has maintained its lead in the LCV segment with Tata Motors a close second with a single point difference.

In the Intermediate vehicle segment (up to 10 Tons) the survey shows AL leads the way and has improved its overall position as compared to the last year.

The survey finds that customers are fairly satisfied with the overall sales process at the dealerships across manufacturers, but would still like to have a better system of vehicle delivery in place.

On the sales process the quality of new vehicles delivered was rated very good including dealership infrastructure and ambience.

However, as in the rest of the automotive industry, the survey found after sales service to be the key concern area for customers.

Their expectation on the overall quality continues to go higher. After sales service is rated considerably lower than the purchase experience in the survey.

UNI