Internet experience of Indian customers in passenger car segment

This paper presents the results of statistical analysis to assess the perception, preferences, preparedness and Internet experience of Indian car customers in making purchase decisions. The data were collected from the current and prospective customers of car by structured face‐to‐face interview (1176 respondents). It exhibited the socio‐demographic profiles of the respondents and displayed statistical evidence of availability of Internet among various age and occupation groups and the attitudes of different groups toward Internet shopping. The study reveals that customers often do not get enough information about the features of various car models, the car’s performance, prices, and other such important details from the car dealers and makers. Authorised dealers of one company are the least interested party in disclosing any positive information about their competitors’ product. Thusk, it becomes difficult for the customer to compare products feature‐wise in an informed fashion. There is a big gap between what information customers want and what is being delivered. Customers, in large numbers, would like to have information from unbiased Websites.