A Project Report On “Customer Relationship Management At Maruti Suzuki” : BBA Final Year 2024

Dear Students,This project report provides an in-depth analysis of Customer Relationship Management At Maruti SuzukiIndia Limited (maruti suzuki crm) . It will give you insights into Maruti Suzuki’s business, products, services, sales and distribution network, marketing strategies, and challenges. Additionally, you will learn about the Indian automotive industry, the evolution of Maruti Suzuki, and key concepts like customer service, customer satisfaction and service quality.

The project includes survey data and recommendations that can help enhance Maruti Suzuki’s customer experience. You can utilize this framework to create your own comprehensive project report by updating facts and figures, incorporating the latest industry trends and adding any additional relevant sections.

What You Will Get in This Project –

This project analyzes customer relationship management (maruti suzuki crm) and satisfaction levels at Maruti Suzuki India Limited, the country’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturer. Maruti Suzuki transformed the Indian auto landscape after entering in 1983 by making cars affordable for millions of middle-class Indians. Its small, fuel-efficient vehicles won wide acceptance and made it a market leader.

Customer satisfaction lives at the intersection of reality and expectations. Automobiles enable transportation of people and goods, contributing to economic growth. The Indian automotive industry, a key driver of manufacturing, is set to become a top global player soon. It already ranks in the top ten globally, with annual production exceeding 30 million vehicles.

As customer expectations evolve, Maruti Suzuki aims to transition from an economy automobile brand into a premium one. Maintaining leadership requires understanding customer needs and delivering excellent service quality. This project studies customer perceptions, identifies improvement areas and recommends strategies to enhance satisfaction. Its findings will interest auto industry players seeking to improve brand equity through better maruti suzuki crm.

Definitions

A customer purchases products or services for personal use from businesses known as suppliers, vendors or sellers. Customers assess service quality by comparing expectations with actual perceived performance and satisfaction levels depend on the gap between the two. Customer service involves activities to enhance satisfaction before, during and after transactions. High customer satisfaction scores indicate ability to fulfill expectations and positive word-of-mouth, which drives growth.

Service Quality and Satisfaction Linkage

Delivering excellent service quality enhances customer loyalty, business performance and competitiveness. Knowledge about service aspects influencing expectations and perceptions enables organizations to allocate resources effectively and drive satisfaction. Since satisfaction depends on performance versus expectations, firms must align the two to retain customers. Poor service quality generates negative publicity, which smart businesses proactively prevent. Researchers agree that high service quality improves satisfaction, which every company desires.

Indian Auto Industry

The Indian auto industry ranks among the biggest globally, producing over 30 million vehicles in 2021, of which 27% were passenger vehicles. Robust economic progress and rising purchasing power supported its high growth trajectory until recently. Commercial and private vehicle ownership in India still lags several emerging economies, signaling massive room for growth. Multiple government initiatives like ‘Make in India’ and EV subsidies continue to provide tailwinds to players.

Number of Automobiles Produced in India (in million)
Number of Automobiles Produced in India (in million)

Maruti Suzuki Profile

Maruti Suzuki, a subsidiary of Japanese auto giant Suzuki Motor Corporation, pioneered the Indian passenger vehicle market. It revolutionized the sector after commencing operations in 1983 by introducing affordably priced, fuel-efficient models tailored to local needs. Maruti Suzuki has over 50% passenger vehicle market share in India presently, selling over 1.5 million units in 2021. Its extensive sales and service network comprising over 3,000 outlets also makes it the leader in after-sales service. Maruti Suzuki strives to transform itself from a value brand into a premium one to keep growth momentum going in a changing market.

Maruti Suzuki – Products and Services

Maruti Suzuki has a wide portfolio spanning various segments to cover diverse customer needs. Models like Alto, S-Presso and Celerio cater to budget buyers wanting basic, small cars while Brezza, Baleno and Dzire meet aspirations of middle-income families. The premium end comprises SUVs like Grand Vitara and S-Cross plus sports models like Swift and Ignis. The Nexa channel sells high-end vehicles like XL6, Ciaz and Ertiga. Maruti Suzuki also provides accessories, insurance, financing, certified pre-owned vehicles, fleet management for corporates and driving training programs.

Maruti Suzuki Cars | image source : Reddit

Maruti Suzuki – Sales and Service Network

An extensive sales and service network comprising over 3,000 dealer and service outlets across 1900 cities enables Maruti Suzuki to handle huge sales volumes and serve customers effectively. Most service centers operate through franchises where Maruti Suzuki trains staff. Initiatives like Express Service stations on highways and Quick Response Teams help stranded vehicles enroute. The company keeps boosting capability by adding 200-300 sales outlets annually, with special focus on rural areas to tap growth potential. The network has been vital in cementing Maruti Suzuki’s industry leadership.

Maruti Suzuki – Sales and Service Network | image of a Maruti Suzuki Dealer showroom

Maruti Suzuki – Future Challenges

As a market leader, Maruti Suzuki faces the challenge of defending its turf against intensifying competition. Players like Hyundai, Tata and Mahindra aim to grab higher market share even as Toyota, Honda and Renault expand India operations. Maruti must retain its value positioning while appealing to aspirational buyers through contemporary products, technologies and experiences. Areas like electric vehicles, connectivity, safety require investments that may impact profitability. Rising input costs due to global supply chain disruptions and semi-conductor shortages are also major concerns recently. Maintaining sales momentum and consumer trust will enable Maruti Suzuki counter these threats effectively.

Customer Relationship Management at Maruti Suzuki

Maruti Suzuki captures customer data from sales transactions at dealerships and call center interactions to power its CRM initiatives targeted at enhancing satisfaction levels. Information flows into analytical CRM software tools like Microsoft Dynamics that help identify customer needs. Various databases provide inputs:

call center: Records new purchase queries, existing customer issues, service concerns etc.

Dealer Management Systems: Dealer interactions across sales, service etc. integrated via central server

Other channels like emails, social media, app also feed data into the system.

Adopting appropriate strategies based on analytics-driven insights has helped Maruti Suzuki create customer delight and sustained loyalty over decades.

Link Between Service Quality And Satisfaction

High quality service delivery improves customer satisfaction, which drives business growth and revenue. Service quality forms a key determinant of satisfaction levels since it directly impacts customer evaluation of purchase experience. Researchers concur that managing customer expectations and perceptions through excellent service augments satisfaction.

Hence businesses must measure service quality periodically and allot resources to enhance it. They should aim to delight rather than merely satisfy customers. Insights into service aspects influencing satisfaction helps identify improvement areas so that firms can deliver maximum value to clientele. The goal for every enterprise is aligning quality standards to customer priorities that maximize satisfaction.

Indian Automotive Industry

The Indian auto industry has seen rapid evolution since the first car appeared in 1897. It remained a small business until the early 1980s when Maruti Udyog Ltd. made cars affordable for average Indian households through cheaper, fuel-efficient models. Several Indian and global original equipment manufacturers have launched operations since the 1990s. Industry deregulation enabled automakers to grow by assessing customer needs better and aligning product development.

India recently overtook Germany to become the world’s fourth-largest auto market, underscoring its incredible growth. Favorable demographics, rising incomes, government support and a burgeoning middle class promise to maintain momentum since car ownership remains below peers. The sector already contributes 7% to India’s GDP and employs around 37 million people directly and indirectly. The industry targets expanding annual production to US$ 300 billion by 2026 to improve global standing by penetrating untapped small cities and rural areas.

Maruti Suzuki History

Maruti Udyog Ltd. started in 1981 as a government initiative to make affordable vehicles for Indian families. Suzuki Motor Corporation was chosen as the partner for the venture owing to their expertise in building fuel-efficient cars suited to conditions here. The first Maruti 800 model launched in 1983 at a modest price created a sensation by fulfilling the aspirations of millions regarding car ownership.

Maruti Suzuki revolutionized the consumer experience through initiatives like selling pre-owned cars, vehicle finance, quicker deliveries and responsive service networks. It has retained domestic leadership since by frequently refreshing products, expanding reach and providing contemporary experiences. The company got rebranded as Maruti Suzuki in 2007 when the Indian government exited by selling its stake. The joint venture structure provides Maruti Suzuki huge advantages regarding leveraging Suzuki’s global scale, resources and capabilities.

Demand for Maruti Suzuki Cars

Maruti Suzuki models have been India’s preferred passenger vehicles for decades thanks to frequent new launches tailored to evolving customer preferences. Demand dipped recently due to high ownership costs because of fuel price hikes and supply constraints stemming from global semiconductor shortages. But Maruti Suzuki continues investing in new platforms and sustainable mobility solutions like EVs, ethanol and bi-fuel vehicles.

It aims to achieve 2 million annual sales by 2025 by entering more vehicle segments, penetrating small towns and rural hinterland. The company is also focused on smooth transition to stricter emission norms. Initiatives like mobile sales outlets and smaller format showrooms will enhance penetration of distant regions. Leveraging its extensive network and trust quotient among masses positions Maruti Suzuki well to tap market potential across geographies and buyer groups.

Building Consumer Awareness

The first formal consumer rights charter originated in the United States during the 1960s consumer movement that protested against goods defects

Building Consumer Awareness

The first formal consumer rights charter originated in the United States during the 1960s consumer movement that protested against goods defects and deficiencies. Consumer awareness refers to educating buyers regarding their prerogatives, ethical business practices, recourse mechanisms and responsibilities while purchasing.

In India, consumer protection principles existed since ancient times as evidenced in Kautilya’s Arthashastra treatise. However, the consumer movement gained momentum recently due to activism against unfair trade practices like overpricing, poor quality, false promises etc. Enactment of the Consumer Protection Act in 1986 was a landmark event that enabled consumers seek redress more easily.

The law aims to safeguard buyers against unscrupulous tactics through awareness. It offers compensation for product flaws and penalties for sellers flouting standards. Consumer education is vital so people can make informed decisions while buying and detectexploitation. Both government and businesses run awareness programs to highlight rights. Industry bodies also conduct training to ensure ethical conduct across production, sales and communication channels.

Maruti Suzuki Distribution Strategies

Maruti Suzuki has the most extensive car distribution network in India comprising over 3,000 sales and service outlets across 1,900 towns and cities. The reach enables responding faster to customer requirements and changing market dynamics through channels familiar to local populations. The dealer network model also allows building direct relationships and tapping potential more effectively rather than relying only on mass media.

Recently Maruti Suzuki created the NEXA channel to improve premium vehicle reach through global formats. It aims to onboard 300 NEXA showrooms shortly for playing a pivotal role in its aspiration and transformation. Maruti intends adding 200-300 regular outlets annually to reinforce presence in existing territories and mark entry into virgin locations. The distribution strategy has been fundamental to Maruti Suzuki gauging latent demand in the world’s fourth largest car market correctly.

Consumer Behavior Regarding Automobiles

The automobile purchase decision represents one of the most complex and expensive buying processes for consumers in India and overseas since multiple stakeholders get involved while making the careful choice. Customers evaluate several interrelated tangible and psychological aspects regarding budget, features, aesthetics, efficiency, brand image etc. across numerous options before deciding.

The typical purchase funnel encompasses:

Problem Recognition – Need based on lifestyle or necessity

Information Seeking – Research online, friends, family etc.

Evaluating Alternatives – Compare models, brands on parameters

Choice – Select product aligning aspirations, constraints

Post-purchase Experience – Basis for future decisions

The massive shift towards online has also influenced buying behavior through access to more data for evaluating possibilities. Review sites now shape perceptions while virtual experiences determine shortlists. Dealership visits remain crucial for touch and feel. Market players require deep understanding of these evolving influences over preferences to serve consumers adequately.

Conclusion

The Indian auto sector has shown consistent growth helped by rising incomes, favorable policies, improved infrastructure and growing consumerism. As economic progress continues, ownership levels can potentially reach Asian peers. Maruti Suzuki leveraged first mover advantage in the 80s to become India’s undisputed passenger vehicle leader catering to majority of buyers. But maintaining supremacy needs aligning with shifting consumer priorities regarding designs, performance and experiences.

Main Project File

Instruction For Students

This project of Customer Relationship Management At Maruti Suzuki (maruti suzuki crm) analyzed prevailing satisfaction levels based on a survey to identify improvement areas and proposed recommendations around affordability, reach etc. to help Maruti Suzuki retain and enhance trust. The framework can serve as the base for students to create comprehensive reports updated with latest industry scenario. You may add sections around recent trends like EVs, connectivity, international expansion and also incorporate financial details reflecting company performance. Leverage online resources for latest developments. Include viewpoints from auto experts regarding future implications.

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