The Czech Carmaker, Skoda has recently commissioned a survey among the customers conducted by NIQ BASES. A recent study has revealed that 9 out of 10 customers prefer high safety ratings while buying cars in India.
Nowadays, the factors which affect the car buying decisions of Indian customers are the number of airbags and crash ratings. While the fuel efficiency parameter ranks 3rd nowadays when buying a car in the Indian market.
The Analysis of the Safety Rating Survey
Recently, Skoda has commissioned and NIS BASES has conducted a survey regarding the safety parameter while car purchasing. The survey has targeted individuals between the ages of 18 and 54 in the SEC A and B brackets.
Out of the respondents, approximately 67% were current car owners who purchased a vehicle priced above Rs 5 lakh. While the remaining 33% did not own a car but planned to purchase one car in a similar price bracket.
The crash rating of the car becomes the primary concern with an impressive importance score of 22.3%. This indicates that prospective buyers prioritize a car’s crash safety performance as an important factor in their decision-making process.
Following closely behind was the number of airbags, which obtained an importance score of 21.6%. This represents the important role of airbags in ensuring the safety of occupants and its relevance in the minds of Indian car buyers.
Fuel efficiency ranks 3rd in Car Buying Decision Process
When it comes to crash ratings, most customers showed a strong preference for a 5-star rating, with an importance score of 22.2%. Following closely behind, a 4-star rating garnered a preference of 21.3%. On the other hand, a crash rating of zero received the least preference, with only a score of 6.8%.
The survey also revealed at 76% of people know about 2 sets of 5-star crash test safety ratings. Out of which, only 30% can identify the child/rear occupants’ safety rating as one of those two sets.
Another important factor in car purchasing decisions was fuel efficiency. The factor of fuel efficiency is the third most crucial driver with an importance score of 15.0% in the survey. This highlights the importance of having a car that offers good safety and mileage and saves on fuel costs.
The analysis of the survey represents the customer preferences when it comes to crash ratings, number of airbags, and fuel efficiency. It also highlights the need for more awareness about child/rear occupant safety ratings among car buyers in India.
Opinion on Safety and its Importance
Nowadays, Safety is one of the most important parameters which is considered when making a car-buying decision. In the Indian market, most of the cars are tested by the Global NCAP under Safer Cars for India Campaign. The main aim of this campaign is to encourage people to buy safer cars in India by investigating the build quality of the cars.
However, there are a certain number of car models that have scored 4 and above stars in crash test ratings and are being sold in good numbers. We hope that the future buyers of the Indian market will be fully aware of the safety and build quality of the cars and encourage them to opt for safer cars.
Official Statement
Petr Šolc, Brand Director, Škoda Auto India, said, “For us at Škoda, safety is part of our DNA and it is our philosophy to build safe cars. We have an over 50-year legacy with crash tests and safety. And since 2008, every Škoda car has been crash-tested globally, and in India, with a 5-star safety rating. The survey reveals Škoda to be perceived as among the top-3 brands having models with high safety ratings. With India’s rapidly growing infrastructure and the upcoming proposals for India’s own crash-testing standards, it is heartening to see consumers being aware of and demanding safety. This is the right way forward. And Škoda will continue focusing on these values to grow the brand in the Indian market.”
Alejandro Furas, Secretary General Global NCAP, “Since 2014 Global NCAP has been encouraging a market shift in India for safer cars. We have been delighted with the positive response from consumers and the impact this has had on accelerating automaker safety design improvements. This recent survey demonstrates that consumers see safety as a priority in making a purchasing decision. A strong market indicator that safety sells cars as well as saving lives.”