J.D. Power: Mahindra Ford's Escort Achieves Top Model in India

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18 November 1997
J.D. Power Japan Reports: Mahindra Ford's Escort Achieves Top Model in India

    TOKYO, Nov. 18 -- Mahindra Ford's Escort is the top model in
the J.D. Power Japan inaugural India Initial Quality Study(SM) (IQS).
Mahindra Ford Escort owners reported 312 problems per 100, 144 fewer problems
per 100 vehicles than the industry average of 456.  Escort is followed by
General Motors' Opel Astra, Maruti Zen and Premier's Fiat Uno respectively.
    "The Indian market has been the focus of international attention as
several major automotive players such as Hyundai, Daewoo and Fiat have all
announced billion ($US) dollar investment plans for the next five years,"
commented Chris Bonsi, a director at J.D. Power Japan.  "Honda and Toyota have
also officially announced their entry into the Indian market which follows the
1996 market entry by Ford and General Motors.  Forecasts for the Indian market
up until the year 2000 range from 800,000 to 1.5 million vehicles.  Production
capacity is reputed to be double those numbers, which could mean some
manufacturers will be forced to retreat from the Indian market," Mr. Bonsi
said.
    The J.D. Power Japan 1997 India Initial Quality Study(SM) includes 15
models from nine manufacturers.  Maruti Udyog, the dominant player in the
Indian market with more than 50 percent market share, is a 50/50 joint venture
between Suzuki Motors and the Indian government.  All of the Maruti Udyog
vehicles included in this year's study were above the industry average.  Below
is a list of models included in the study:

  *  Maruti Udyog: Maruti 800, Maruti Esteem, Maruti Omni and Maruti Zen
  *  Hindustan Motors: Ambassador
  *  Mahindra & Mahindra: Armada
  *  Tata: Estate/Sierra and Sumo
  *  PAL Peugeot: 309 and 118NE
  *  Premier Automobiles: Padmini and Fiat Uno
  *  DCM-Daewoo: Cielo
  *  General Motors India: Opel Astra
  *  Mahindra Ford: Escort

    Indian consumers responded to the study's survey regarding 140 specific
problems which are grouped into nine major categories.  The categories are:

  *  Ride, Handling and Braking
  *  Vehicle Exterior
  *  Engine
  *  Seats
  *  Comfort and Convenience
  *  Transmission
  *  Vehicle Interior
  *  Heating, Ventilation and Cooling
  *  Sound System

    Ride, handling and braking had the largest impact in the overall IQS
score, accounting for 29 percent of all problems reported.  One of the causes
for so many problems reported in this category because there are few paved
roads outside of major cities in India, and infrastructure remains one of the
key problems facing auto manufacturers in India today.
    The fieldwork for the J.D. Power Japan 1997 India Initial Quality
Study(SM) began in July 1997 and concluded in September.  Samples were taken
from Mumbai, New Dehli, Chennai, and Calcutta.  Respondents were asked to
indicate any problems they experienced.
    J.D. Power Japan is a joint venture between California-based J.D. Power
and Associates and Tokyo-based Research and Development.  J.D. Power Japan has
conducted syndicated and proprietary research in Asia, Oceania and Europe.
The firm is best know for its customer satisfaction research and its
forecasting services.  J.D. Power Japan will continue the IQS and CSI studies
on an annual basis.
    J.D. Power and Associates is an international firm best known for its
marketing information services in key business sectors including market
research, forecasting, and customer satisfaction.  The firm's quality and
satisfaction measurements are based on actual customer responses from over a
million consumers annually.  With its headquarters in Agoura Hills,
California, the firm also has U.S. offices in Torrance, California; Michigan;
and Connecticut.  Its international locations include Japan, Korea, England,
Canada and Brazil.
    J.D. Power and Associates can be accessed through the World Wide Web at
http://www.jdpower.com. Email: info@jdpower.com.
    No advertising or other promotional use can be made of the information in
this release or J.D. Power and Associates survey results without the express
prior written consent of J.D. Power and Associates.

SOURCE  J.D. Power and Associates