Consumer Perception: The Rise Of Market Research In The Automotive Industry

Knowing your target market can be a company's keyas much as anyone else. It includes high-back 8-way
to success in modern business. Niche marketing,power driver seats (and 6-way power seats for the
particularly with the availability of much more targetedfront passenger) with lumbar support and integrated
advertisement using television commercials and onlineadjustable head restraints. The driver window controls
ads, is growing in popularity because of its high-yieldingare one-touch automatic and the steering wheel is
results. With car companies putting out commercialsleather-wrapped. In addition to the CFC-free refrigerant
and ads specifically targeting groups of consumers, likeair conditioning and an AM/FM stereo with 6-disc
women, young people, parents with small children, andin-dash CD changer, it offers a state-of-the-art
even successful CEOs, does anyone wonder where6-speaker audio system. The i-370 also excels when it
they're getting their information? The answer: marketcomes to desired safety features. The pickup boasts
research firms. The business of capturing informationan automatic front-passenger airbag suppression
about segments of the consumer population hassystem, power locks, remote keyless entry, and a
become a business in and of itself - and a big one atcontent theft-deterrent alarm system. The interior is
that. For example, let's start looking back at 2005available in cloth or leather. With ten exterior paint
when Harris Interactive - the 15th largest markedoptions to choose from like Deep Crimson Metallic and
research firm in the world - conducted a study to findPacific Blue, the pickup looks like it should sport a much
out what automotive brands people felt were not onlyhigher price tag. It's truly and impressive looking vehicle.
the most technologically savvy, but also which brandsDriving the i-370 is bound to prove that this ain't your
were perceived to be driven by socialites. Six brandsgrandfather's pickup. All that power handles as
made both lists: Volvo, Jaguar, BMW, Lexus, Mitsubishi,beautifully as many luxury cars handle thanks to a
and Isuzu. While the results are no surprise to the firsthydraulically assisted rack-and-pinion power steering
four on the list, Mitsubishi and Isuzu have never activelysystem , triple door seals to block road noise, and
tried to position themselves in either market. Currently,Isuzu's own Electronic Traction Control. So with all this,
Isuzu offers four models to U.S. consumers - itsit's no real surprise that Isuzu ranked right up there with
high-performance SUV "Ascender" - and three pickuplegacies of luxury like BMW and Lexus. In an effort to
trucks: the i-290 Extended Cab, the i-370 Crew Cab,design the best possible product for their buyers, they
and the i-370 Extended Cab. One wouldn't necessarilyultimately opened the door to markets they weren't
assume that when the majority of your line arespecifically aiming for. But that just goes to show you
pickups - traditionally marketed to Middle America forthat comfort, performance, and style appeal to
their rugged hauling and towing capacities - that you'deveryone.
be perceived as a company known for progressiveThe crew cab interior was VERY roomy. People
technology and appealing to socialites. But, in allthought I was crazy to get an Isuzu... But boy were
honesty, that should be no surprise either. Isuzu'sthey wrong! The extended cab also had tons of room.
recent upgrades, like the i-370's Crew Cab ComfortI suggest getting to a local Isuzu dealer before they
Package proves that Isuzu drivers appreciate luxuryare all..