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    India CX Report'25: Commercial vehicles

    Findings across the purchase journey of heavy-duty vehicles for commercial purposes, such as the transportation of goods
    India CX Report'25: Commercial vehicle

    Differentiating at the right journey touchpoints is the key to value creation

    Pre - purchase

    Key customer considerations

    Was I able to assess my options well and arrive at a decision?

    • Importance of the stage

      45 per cent of the customers consider the pre-purchase experience as most impactful in defining the overall brand perception

    • Top rated experience parameters

      A) Ease of assessing vehicle features and integrating customisations
      B) Access to financing options and disbursal of loans

    • Hygiene parameters

      A) Intuitive website flow and easy to understand content

    Purchase

    Key customer considerations

    Was the purchase experience smooth and comprehensive?

    • Importance of the stage

      42 per cent of the customers consider the purchase experience as most impactful in defining the overall brand perception

    • Top rated experience parameters

      A) Ease of assessing and selecting the right insurance plan
      B)ÌýSimplified documentation - vehicle registration and insurance

    • Hygiene parameters

      A)ÌýDelivery timeline communication
      B) Negotiations on terms - Pricing, warranty, post-sales services

    Post - purchase

    Key customer considerations

    Did the brand's product and services meet my expectations?

    • Importance of the stage

      13 per cent of the customers consider the post-purchase experience as most impactful in defining the overall brand perception

    • Top rated experience parameters

      A) Ease of repairs through third party/in-house mechanics
      B) Spare part availability
      C) Quality of service facilitation and experience

    • Hygiene parameters

      A) Relationship management with the salesperson/dealer
      B) Response to customer feedback
      C) Warranty coverage and extension

    Difficulty in finding information and a lack of financing options can delay purchases, leading brands to lose valuable customers

    Q1 - Was I able to assess my options well and arrive at a decision?

    cx-commercial-vehicles-1

    Voice of customer insights
    Ìý

    Customers need a well-designed website to support their initial assessment of the vehicle

    • Without user-friendly tools for comparing models, customers may find it hard to assess which vehicle best suits their needs
    • If support features like chatbots, FAQs, or service booking tools are hard to locate, it negatively impacts customer satisfaction
    • Customers may abandon inquiries or bookings if the contact forms or lead generation processes are cumbersome or unclear.

    Primary customers of commercial vehicles are small businesses, hence they value financing support

    • The absence of financing support can create an impression that the brand is less customer-centric
    • Without financing, customers may delay purchase decisions as they save up or explore alternative funding sources.

    Lack of transparency in pricing and limited clarity on insurance may cause distrust among customers

    Q2 - Was the purchase experience smooth and comprehensive?

    cx-commercial-vehicles-2

    Voice of customer insights
    Ìý

    The performance of the segment is in line with the CX leader with gaps observed on � negotiations around pricing, warranties and post-sale services

    • Unclear or hidden costs can cause frustration and lead to distrust
    • Insufficient warranty terms might not address common concerns, making customers hesitant to commit
    • Customers might face uncertainty regarding the scope and timeline of services offered after purchase.

    Another key area, where customer is facing difficulty is selecting the right insurance plan

    • Without proper tools or support, customers may struggle to compare plans offered by different insurers, leading to suboptimal choices
    • Customers might worry about the ease, speed, and transparency of claim settlements, influencing their confidence in the insurance plan.

    Brands showcase strong performance post-purchase; the potential for distinction is possible on warranty coverage and extension

    Q3 - Did the brand's product and services meet my expectations?

    cx-commercial-vehicles-3

    Voice of customer insights
    Ìý

    The ratings indicate that the performance of the brands post-purchase is above average and uniform across different parameters.

    Performance can be marginally improved on warranty coverage and extension �

    • Standardised warranty coverage may not cater to unique customer needs, leaving some feeling underserved despite the clarity provided
    • f the communication about warranties is not easily accessible or available in customer-friendly formats, some may struggle to understand or use the information effectively
    • Even with transparent warranty terms, slow or inefficient service when issues arise could diminish the perceived value of the warranty.

    Striking the right balance between delighting the customer and the cost of servicing them is key to maximising value

    Performance of the segment on the prioritised experience attributes

    cx-commercial-vehicles-4

    Brands can focus on the following prioritised attributes to maximise customer value

    • Simplify the buying process by implementing an easy-to-navigate online platform where customers can customise and order vehicles with minimal steps, including clear financing options
    • Establish a strong market presence at industry events, trade shows, and through digital marketing to build brand recognition and trust
    • Provide clear and honest information about vehicle specifications, pricing, and delivery timelines to build customer trust and satisfaction
    • Offer 24/7 responsive customer support through multiple channels (phone, email, live chat) to promptly address any inquiries or issues
    • Innovate by introducing eco-friendly and technologically advanced vehicles that meet modern standards and customer expectations.

    In the commercial vehicle sector, a brand's strength is determined by it's market presence, value for money and clear communication

    Customer segmentation based on satisfaction and loyaltyÌý

    (percentage share of respondents)

    cx-commercial-vehicles-5

    A customer’s retention is dependent on their satisfaction with the brand and their tendency to explore alternatives. ‘Ambassadors� are highly satisfied customers who will keep contributing to the brand’s success. ‘Switchers� on the other hand, are always seeking better options. ‘Critics� as the third segment actively convey negative feedback about the brand if not satisfied. Finally, ‘Dependents� are customers who remain loyal despite low satisfaction due to a lack of alternatives in the market.

    53 per cent of the customer base are ambassadors as their brand of choice meets their expectationsÌýâ€�

    • Lower upfront costs or more attractive financing and leasing options can entice customers to explore alternatives
    • A strong market presence achieved by building a robust network of dealerships, service centers, and partnerships, ensures that the brand is easily accessible to the customer.

    However, 44 per cent of the customers are likely to substitute their preferred brand for �

    • Better product offerings in terms of superior features, performance, or fuel efficiency
    • Reliable, timely, and proactive after-sales services along with a more personalised experience, better communication,Ìýand stronger relationships
    • A well-regarded competitor with a strong track record of reliability and trust can win over customers from less reputed brands.

    The segment is meeting customer requirements on ‘Empathy� pillar; however, there is a need for improvement on ‘Expectation� and ‘Resolution� pillars

    Performance across the ÀÖÓ㣨Leyu£©ÌåÓý¹ÙÍø in India's Six pillars of customer experienceÌý

    (Weightage of the pillars to the overall experience requirements)

    cx-commercial-vehicles-6

    ‘Expectation� (23 per cent) and ‘Integrity� (20 per cent) are the key pillars of experience influencing customers purchase decisions.�

    Commercial vehicle brands can meet customer expectations by �

    • Equipping relationship managers and customer-facing teams with strong communication and problem-solving skills to deliver top-notch service
    • Building durable and high-performance vehicles that minimise downtime and maintenance costs, improving customer satisfaction
    • Maintaining transparency in pricing, warranties, and performance claims, creating a sense of credibility and loyalty.

    Commercial vehicle brands can improve performance on ‘Resolutionâ€� byÌýâ€�

    • Implementing efficient systems for logging, tracking, and resolving customer complaints. Ensure that issues are addressed promptly and systematically
    • Anticipating common challenges faced by customers, such as maintenance or warranty-related concerns, and offer preemptive solutions or support
    • Leverage AI-driven tools for automated troubleshooting or predictive maintenance, minimising downtime and enhancing customer experience.

    For the commercial vehicle segment, the willingness to pay more is high across the key experience pillars of ‘Expectations� and ‘Empathy�

    Top experience attributes influencing the customer’s willingness to pay

    • Complete delivery of promises made on brand/product experience for the money paid
    • The brand is well known and preferred amongst social circle â€� family, peers and influencers
    • Helping, respectful and empathetic service from staff across online/offline channels
    • Consistently bringing new-age, high performance vehicles to the market
    • Consistent availability of models and vehicle variants across locations

    An individual’s willingness to pay a premium is driven by immediate needs. As today’s customer evolves, the focal aspects of premiumisation has shifted from functionality to experience. These aspect may translate as personalised convenience, omnichannel browsing or even exclusivity in customer support.

    Customers prioritise brands that deliver on promises, with 31 per cent willing to pay a premium for reliability

    • Knowing that the brand consistently delivers on promises reduces risks and adds to the perceived value, encouraging customers to pay more.

    A strong brand presence and positive social perception influence willingness to pay for 30 per cent of the customers

    25 per cent of the customers can be influenced to pay a premium on �

    • Thoughtful and understanding interactions build trust, increasing customers' willingness to invest in a brand that prioritises their needs
    • Consistent quality provides assurance that customers are getting the best possible product for their investment.

    Our customer experience (CX) insights across sectors

    Mastering intentional experiences: India CX report' 25

    Benchmark experience from the customer’s viewpoint, to uncover prioritised attributes driving value

    Mastering intentional experiences: India CX report' 25

    Key Contacts

    Nikhil Sethi

    National Leader Consumer Goods and Co-Lead Customer & Operations

    ÀÖÓ㣨Leyu£©ÌåÓý¹ÙÍø in India

    Vinodkumar Ramachandran

    Partner and Head - Business Consulting

    ÀÖÓ㣨Leyu£©ÌåÓý¹ÙÍø in India

    Jeffry Jacob

    National Sector Leader Automotive, Partner Business Consulting

    ÀÖÓ㣨Leyu£©ÌåÓý¹ÙÍø in India


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