Johnson Controls conducts consumer study in SUV segment / Spotlight on the driver
Burscheid, Germany (ots) - Product solutions for the automotive interior must
not only fulfill automakers' requirements, but must also dovetail with
consumers' needs and desires. That's why Johnson Controls, one of the world's
leading suppliers of automotive interior systems, regularly conducts consumer
research in which drivers are given the opportunity to evaluate vehicle
interiors. The Consumer Research Department recently invited about 100 test
persons to participate in just such a Car Interior Clinic at an independent test
studio in Monheim, Germany. The study featured three models in the SUV (Sport
Utility Vehicle) segment: the BMW X5, VW Touareg and Volvo XC90.
Just a month ago, the company carried out a similar consumer study of
vehicles in the lower-midsize segment, in cooperation with the independent
market research institute, GfK (Gesellschaft für Konsumforschung), based in
Nuremberg. This time, the weeklong Car Interior Clinic will spotlight the SUV
segment.
Car Interior Clinic as consumer research tool
At a Car Interior Clinic, half of the respondents quantitatively evaluate the
interiors of the vehicles on display in Monheim. They do this with the aid of a
detailed questionnaire and rating system. The respondents in the second group
are interviewed on the pros and cons of each vehicle interior by a trained
psychologist applying the methods of depth psychology. This procedure forms the
qualitative component of the Car Interior Clinic. During such clinics the
respondents do not test drive the vehicles. "The car's body and handling while
driving are not decisive aspects for us. We are much more interested in the
driver's perception of the car's interior", says Silke Jagla, Consumer Research
Manager at Johnson Controls. The interviewers ask the respondents for their
overall impression of the vehicle interior, but also pose specific questions
about individual components, for example whether seat adjustment is user-
friendly or the cockpit controls are within easy reach.
Strict criteria for choice of interview partners
The market research institute recruits respondents either per telephone or
direct approach - at a supermarket parking lot for example. Interview partners
are chosen for the study based on strict criteria: The person must own and drive
a model belonging to the segment under examination and must have purchased the
car new no more than four years ago. "The respondent should be the person who
made the decision to buy the car", explains Silke Jagla. People who work in the
automotive industry, in marketing or in the media are disqualified from
participating in the interviews, as their responses could skew the results.
Consumer research from day one
For Johnson Controls, it is crucial that consumer research accompany the
entire product development cycle. Directly following the market observation that
ushers in every new concept, the consumer research department steps in to
actively sound out the wishes and visions of consumers in the relevant target
groups. This enables Johnson Controls to carefully tailor its products to the
exact needs and desires of the consumer. The company's designers, engineers and
marketing specialists use the results of the Car Interior Clinic in both product
development and marketing. "With the help of market research, we are able to
identify current opinions and trends within specific segments of the automobile
market at an early stage, reflect these in the products we develop, and thus
offer automakers valuable support in their decision-making process", says Silke
Jagla.
Johnson Controls, Inc. is a global market leader in automotive systems and
facility management and control. In the automotive market, it is a leading
supplier of seating and interior systems and batteries. For non-residential
facilities, Johnson Controls provides building control components and systems
and facility management services. Johnson Controls (New York Stock Exchange:
JCI), founded in 1885, has its headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The
European headquarters is in Burscheid, Germany. Its sales for 2002 totaled 20.1
billion US-Dollars, the Automotive Systems Group alone accounting for 15 billion
US-Dollars of this figure. In the current "Industry Week" business magazine
rankings, Johnson Controls has been listed as one of the top 100 best run
companies in the world for the fifth time in succession.