Japanese tyre owners satisfied with OE tyre contributions to fuel efficiency
ERJ staff report (LMH)
Tokyo -- Vehicle owners in Japan are increasingly satisfied with the contributions their original equipment tyres make toward their vehicle's overall fuel efficiency, according to a JD Power Asia Pacific report.
The 2011 Japan Original Equipment Tire Customer Satisfaction Study, now in its tenth year, measures customer satisfaction with original equipment (OE) tyres equipped on new vehicles in five segments: mini-car, compact car, passenger car, minivan and SUV.
Overall customer satisfaction with OE tyres is based on four factors: handling/traction; ride/quietness; durability/reliability; and appearance, measured on a 1000-point scale.
The study, published 15 Dec, finds that owner satisfaction with the contribution of original equipment tyres to fuel efficiency has improved for a second consecutive year, averaging 5.6 on a 10-point scale in 2011, compared with 5.5 in 2009. In recent years, vehicle manufacturers in Japan have placed strong emphasis on fuel efficiency in vehicle models, as well as in original equipment tyres, which likely contributes to the improvement trend.
The study also finds that, if given the option, about 30 percent of tyre owners in Japan would be willing to pay extra to have fuel-efficient tyres equipped on their new vehicle. The amount owners indicate they would be willing to pay for the option averages about 13 000 yen in 2011-an increase of more than 30 percent from 2010.
“Owner understanding of the benefits of owning fuel-efficient tyres is continuing to advance,†said Tetsushi Furuya, project manager at JD Power Asia Pacific. “This creates an opportunity for tyre manufacturers to increase market share and revenue by expanding within the original equipment tyre market and not only in the replacement tyre market.â€
Bridgestone ranks highest in customer satisfaction with original equipment tyres in the mini-car, compact car, and minivan segments and receives an award in the compact car segment for a fifth consecutive year. Bridgestone ranks highest in all four factors driving overall satisfaction in all three segments, except for durability/reliability in the minivan segment, where they still perform particularly well.
Michelin ranks highest in the passenger car segment for a seventh consecutive year. Michelin ranks highest in all four factors in the passenger car segment.
The 2011 Japan Original Equipment Tire Customer Satisfaction Index Study is based on responses from 5419 new-vehicle owners during the first seven to eighteen months of ownership, who purchased their vehicle between March 2010 to February 2011. The study was fielded in September 2011.
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Press release from JD Power Asia Pacific
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