J.D. Power Awards Bajaj, Hero, TVS & Yamaha For Initial Quality

By Ajinkya

Updated: Friday, January 23, 2015, 18:07 [IST]

The Indian two-wheeler industry is growing at a rapid pace. More and more manufacturers are entering the Indian market. Manufacturers are coming up with commuter motorcycles with smaller capacities to bigger displacement engines with more power.

All these new motorcycles have to pass a basic quality test. It has been reported by J.D. Power that almost 70 percent owners reported issues with their two-wheeler in respect to engine, lights or electrical, brakes fit and finish.

Mohit Arora, Executive Director, J.D. Power Asia Pacific, expressed, "Many reported problems impact vehicle usage and varied driving conditions. Therefore, OEMs need to focus on these issues to improve performance quality and enhance vehicle safety and visibility."

He further added, "The Two-Wheeler Initial Quality Study provides the industry with key information about customer expectations and establishes a benchmark to measure performance against the competition."

The vehicles tested in J.D. Power Initial Quality study were divided into several categories. Scooter were divided between economy and executive, while motorcycles have been divided into five segments of economy, executive, upper executive, premium and premium plus.

In India the overall two-wheeler initial quality averages at around 166 PP100. It is broken down to 44PP100 for engine, 23 PP100 for fit and finish, 25 PP100 for lights or electricals and brakes achieve 24 PP100. Owners of two-wheeler claim that excessive fuel consumption, lights not being bright, difficulty in starting the engine and ineffective or too sensitive brakes.

In the 2015 Indian Two-Wheeler Initial Quality Study by J.D. Power awarded executive scooter and among motorcycles they gave awards to economy, executive, upper executive and premium.

TVS Wego scored highest among executive scooters at 84 PP100.
Hero Splendor iSmart scored the maximum in economy category of motorcycles at 101 PP100.
Hero Splendor wins the executive category with 137 PP100.
Yamaha's Fazer was awarded for securing 109 PP100 in the upper executive model.
Bajaj Avenger secure 88 PP100 in the premium category of motorcycles.