INTRODUCTION

Replica of the Toyota Model AA, the first production model of Toyota

in 1936

Customer satisfaction

Organizations are increasingly interested in retaining existing customers while targeting

non-customers; measuring customer satisfaction provides an indication of how

successful the organization is at providing products and/or services to the marketplace.

Customer satisfaction is an ambiguous and abstract concept and the actual manifestation

of the state of satisfaction will vary from person to person and product/service to

product/service. The state of satisfaction depends on a number of both psychological and

physical variables which correlate with satisfaction behaviors such as return and

recommend rate. The level of satisfaction can also vary depending on other options the

customer may have and other products against which the customer can compare the

organization's products.

Because satisfaction is basically a psychological state, care should be taken in the effort of quantitative measurement, although a large quantity of research in this area has recently been developed. Work done by Berry, Brodeur between 1990 and 1998 defined ten 'Quality Values' which influence satisfaction behavior, further expanded by Berry in 2002 and known as the ten domains of satisfaction. These ten domains of satisfaction include: Quality, Value, Timeliness, Efficiency, Ease of Access, Environment, Inter-departmental Teamwork, Front line Service Behaviors, Commitment to the Customer and Innovation. These factors are emphasized for continuous improvement and organizational change measurement and are most often utilized to develop the architecture for satisfaction measurement as an integrated model. Work done by Parasuraman, Zeithaml and Berry between 1985 and 1988 provides the basis for the measurement of customer satisfaction with a service by using the gap between the customer's expectation of performance and their perceived experience of performance. This provides the measurer

2

with a satisfaction "gap" which is objective and quantitative in nature. Work done by

Cronin and Taylor propose the "confirmation/disconfirmation" theory of combining the

"gap" described by Parasuraman, Zeithaml and Berry as two different measures

(perception and expectation of performance) into a single measurement of performance

according to expectation. According to Garbrand, customer satisfaction equals perception

of performance divided by expectation of performance.

The usual measures of customer satisfaction involve a survey with a set of statements

using a Likert Technique or scale. The customer is asked to evaluate each statement and

in term of their perception and expectation of the performance of the organisation being

measured.

In a competitive marketplace where businesses compete for customers, customer

satisfaction is seen as a key differentiator and increasingly has become a key element of

business strategy.

“Customer satisfaction, a business term, is a measure of how products and services

supplied by a company meet or surpass customer expectation. It is seen as a key

performance indicator within business and is part of the four perspectives of a Balanced

Scorecard.”

Customer Satisfaction in 7 Steps

It's a well known fact that no business can exist without customers. In the business of Website design, it's important to work closely with your customers to make sure the site or system you create for them is as close to their requirements as you can manage. Because it's critical that you form a close working relationship with your client, customer service is of vital importance. What follows are a selection of tips that will make your clients feel valued, wanted and loved.

1. Encourage Face-to-Face Dealings

This is the most daunting and downright scary part of interacting with a customer. If you're not used to this sort of thing it can be a pretty nerve-wracking experience. Rest assured, though, it does get easier over time. It's important to meet your customers face to face at least once or even twice during the course of a project.

My experience has shown that a client finds it easier to relate to and work with someone they've actually met in person, rather than a voice on the phone or someone typing into an email or messenger program. When you do meet them, be calm, confident and above all, take time to ask them what they need. I believe that if a potential client spends over half the meeting doing the talking, you're well on your way to a sale.

2. Respond to Messages Promptly & Keep Your Clients Informed

This goes without saying really. We all know how annoying it is to wait days for a response to an email or phone call. It might not always be practical to deal with all customers' queries within the space of a few hours, but at least email or call them back and let them know you've received their message and you'll contact them about it as soon as possible. Even if you're not able to solve a problem right away, let the customer know you're working on it.

A good example of this is my Web host. They've had some trouble with server hardware which has caused a fair bit of downtime lately. At every step along the way I was emailed and told exactly what was going on, why things were going wrong, and how long it would be before they were working again. They also apologised repeatedly, which was nice. Now if they server had just gone down with no explanation I think I'd have been pretty annoyed and may have moved my business elsewhere. But because they took time to keep me informed, it didn't seem so bad, and I at least knew they were doing something about the problems. That to me is a prime example of customer service.

3. Be Friendly and Approachable

A fellow SitePointer once told me that you can hear a smile through the phone. This is very true. It's very important to be friendly, courteous and to make your clients feel like you're their friend and you're there to help them out. There will be times when you want to beat your clients over the head repeatedly with a blunt object - it happens to all of us. It's vital that you keep a clear head, respond to your clients' wishes as best you can, and at all times remain polite and courteous.

4. Have a Clearly-Defined Customer Service Policy

This may not be too important when you're just starting out, but a clearly defined customer service policy is going to save you a lot of time and effort in the long run. If a customer has a problem, what should they do? If the first option doesn't work, then what? Should they contact different people for billing and technical enquiries? If they're not satisfied with any aspect of your customer service, who should they tell?

There's nothing more annoying for a client than being passed from person to person, or not knowing who to turn to. So make sure your customer service policy is present on your site -- and anywhere else it may be useful.

5. Attention to Detail (also known as 'The Little Niceties')

Have you ever received a Happy Birthday email or card from a company you were a client of? Have you ever had a personalised sign-up confirmation email for a service that you could tell was typed from scratch? These little niceties can be time consuming and aren't always cost effective, but remember to do them.

Even if it's as small as sending a Happy Holidays email to all your customers, it's something. It shows you care; it shows there are real people on the other end of that screen or telephone; and most importantly, it makes the customer feel welcomed, wanted and valued.

6. Anticipate Your Client's Needs & Go Out Of Your Way to Help Them Out

Sometimes this is easier said than done! However, achieving this supreme level of understanding with your clients will do wonders for your working relationship.

Take this as an example: you're working on the front-end for your client's exciting new ecommerce endeavour. You have all the images, originals and files backed up on your desktop computer and the site is going really well. During a meeting with your client he/she happens to mention a hard-copy brochure their internal marketing people are developing. As if by magic, a couple of weeks later a CD-ROM arrives on their doorstep complete with high resolution versions of all the images you've used on the site. A note accompanies it which reads:

"Hi, you mentioned a hard-copy brochure you were working on and I wanted to provide you with large-scale copies of the graphics I've used on the site. Hopefully you'll be able to make use of some in your brochure."

Your client is heartily impressed, and remarks to his colleagues and friends how very helpful and considerate his Web designers are. Meanwhile, in your office, you lay back in your chair drinking your 7th cup of coffee that morning, safe in the knowledge this happy customer will send several referrals your way.

7. Honour Your Promises

It's possible this is the most important point in this article. The simple message: when you promise something, deliver. The most common example here is project delivery dates.

Clients don't like to be disappointed. Sometimes, something may not get done, or you might miss a deadline through no fault of your own. Projects can be late, technology can fail and sub-contractors don't always deliver on time. In this case a quick apology and assurance it'll be ready ASAP wouldn't go amiss.

Conclusion

Customer service, like any aspect of business, is a practiced art that takes time and effort to master. All you need to do to achieve this is to stop and switch roles with the customer. What would you want from your business if you were the client? How would you want to be treated? Treat your customers like your friends and they'll always come back

Employee Satisfaction + Customer Satisfaction = Sustained Profitability

“When companies put employees and customers first, their employees

are satisfied, their customers are loyal, their profits increase, and their

continued success is sustained.” This is the conclusion of a recent

Harvard Business Review article, “Putting the Service-Profit Chain to

Work” by James L. Heskett, Thomas O. Jones, Gary W. Loveman, W.

Earl Sasser, Jr. and Leonard A. Schlesinger, members of the Harvard

Business School faculty and service-management interest group. While

there are a number of studies which link customer satisfaction with

profit, there are few studies which add employee satisfaction into the

profit formula. Digital became interested in this connection in 1994.

Based on this interest, an internal study of customer satisfaction,

employee

satisfaction and operating measures was conducted. The purpose of

this article is to support the assertion of the customer satisfaction and

employee satisfaction connection and to illustrate Digital’s approach

towards acting on this connection.

When describing the service profit chain, the authors discuss the

experience and success of companies that include Banc One, Intuit

Corporation, Southwest Airlines, Service Master, USAA, Taco Bell, and

MCI. They stress that the correlation of putting employees and

customers first with profits has necessitated new ways of managing

and measuring success. The techniques used, focus on the impact of

employee satisfaction, loyalty, and productivity on “the value of

products and services delivered so that managers can build customer

satisfaction, loyalty and assess the corresponding impact on

profitability and growth.” The authors note, “...the lifetime value of a

loyal customer can be astronomical, especially when referrals are

added to the economics of customer retention and repeat purchases of

related products.” The tool used to examine the relationship between

service and profit is called the Service-Profit Chain.

The Service-Profit Chain

“The service-profit chain establishes relationships between

profitability, customer loyalty and employee satisfaction, loyalty and

productivity. The links in the chain are as follows:

• Profit and growth are stimulated primarily by customer loyalty.

• Loyalty is a direct result of customer satisfaction.

• Satisfaction is largely influenced by the value of services provided to

customers.

• Value is created by satisfied, loyal and productive employees.

• Employee satisfaction, in turn, results primarily from high-quality

support

services and policies that enable employees to deliver results to

customers.”

Building Commitment through Employee and

Customer Engagement Practices

Dr. David Ulrich in his article, “Tie the Corporate Knot: Gaining

Complete Customer Commitment,” makes a strong point of connecting

customer satisfaction and employee satisfaction. “Psychologists have

identified two major principles that help determine how individuals

develop commitment: information and behavior. When individuals

have access to extensive, understandable, and credible information,

they engage in activities consistent with the information. For example,

when we hear from many people whose opinions we value that a

restaurant offers good food or services, we are more likely to act on

the information and visit the restaurant. Providing credible information

is a first principle of creating commitment. Information does not

sustain commitment without the second principle, behavior.

Complete customer commitment flows from the same two principles of

information and behavior. When customers receive more information

about the firm, they are more apt to take action that demonstrates

commitment to the firm. Customer commitment may develop at two

tiers: strategic and organizational. The strategic tier includes products

and services. The organizational tier includes firm practices that

translate strategies into action. Partial customer commitment focuses

exclusively on the strategic tier, where firms build commitment by

sharing information about how products have been adapted to meet

customer criteria and by encouraging customer is to participate in the

design and delivery of products. Creating unity with customers through

human resource practices ensures complete customer commitment

because customers receive information and participation not only on

strategic activities, but on organizational ones as well.”

“Market-In and Product-Out Measures”

It was used as part of the Product Quality Taskforce report issued in

1994 within Digital Equipment Corporation. It reflects the relationship

of the “Market-In” versus “Product-Out” measures. The concept of

Market-In rather than Product-Out is the basis of one of the four

revolutions in management thinking taught by the Center for Quality of

Management. William Davidow from Total Customer Service: The

Ultimate Weapon., writes, “Effective measurement... can’t take the

place of having a solid core product or service to begin with, nor is it a

substitute for strategy...but...lacking good measures, no company can

assess its progress or adjust to changes in customer expectations”.

Market-In and Product-Out Measures

REVIEW OF LITERATUREReplica of the Toyota Model AA, the first production model of Toyota in 1936

The story of Toyota Motor Corporation began in September 1933 when Toyoda Automatic Loom created a new division devoted to the production of automobiles under the direction of the founder's son, Kiichiro Toyoda. Soon thereafter, the division produced its first Type A Engine in 1934, which was used in the first Model A1 passenger car in May 1935 and the G1 truck in August 1935. Production of the Model AA passenger car started in 1936.

Although the Toyota Group is most well known today for its cars, it is still in the textile business and still makes automatic looms (fully computerized, of course), and electric sewing machines which are available worldwide.

Toyota Motor Co. was established as an independent company in 1937. Although the founding family name is Toyoda, the company name was changed to:

Signify the separation of the founders' work life from home life; Simplify the pronunciation, and Give the company an auspicious beginning. Toyota is considered luckier than

Toyoda in Japan, where eight is regarded as a lucky number, and eight is the number of strokes it takes to write Toyota in Katakana.

During the Pacific War the company was dedicated to truck production for the Imperial Army. Because of severe shortages in Japan, military trucks were kept as simple as possible. For example, the trucks had only one headlight on the center of the hood.

Fortunately for Toyota, the war ended shortly before a scheduled allied bombing run on the Toyota factories in Aichi.

Commercial passenger car production started in 1947 with the model SA. In 1950 a

separate sales company Toyota Motor Sales Co. was established (which lasted until July

1982). In April 1956 the Toyopet dealer chain was established.

Above diagram show the financial comparison of top vs. bottom customer

satisfaction

COMPANY PROFILE

  The Headquarters of Toyota in Toyota City, Japan

ASSEMBLY PLANTS OVER THE WORLD

Toyota has factories all over the world, manufacturing or assembling vehicles for local markets, including its most popular model, the Corolla. Toyota has manufacturing or assembly plants in the United States, Australia, Canada, Indonesia, Poland, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, France, Brazil, and more recently India, Argentina and Czech Republic. Toyota also builds and sells cars in China in a joint venture with Tianjin Xiali. Toyota New Zealand assembled vehicles until 1998, when it switched to importing cars from Japan and Australia. Cars from these plants are often exported to other countries.

Board of directors

Chairman and Representative Director  Fujio Cho

Vice Chairman and Representative Director

 Katsuhiro Nakagawa

President and Representative Director  Katsuaki Watanabe

Executive Vice President and Representative Director

 Tokuichi Uranishi

 Kazuo Okamoto

 Kyoji Sasazu

 Mitsuo Kinoshita

 Takeshi Uchiyamada

 Masatami Takimoto

 Akio Toyoda

Senior Managing Director  Yukitoshi Funo

 Takeshi Suzuki

 Atsushi Niimi

 Hiroshi Takada

 Teiji Tachibana

 Shinichi Sasaki

 Akira Okabe

 Yoichiro Ichimaru

 Shoji Ikawa

 Koichi Ina

 Takeshi Yoshida

 Shinzo Kobuki

 Akira Sasaki

 Hiroshi Kawakami

 Tadashi Arashima

 Mamoru Furuhashi

 Satoshi Ozawa

Honorary Chairman  Shoichiro Toyoda

Senior Advisor  Hiroshi Okuda

DETAIL STUDY OF TOYOTA

In 2006, Toyota was engaged in a variety of projects designed to solidify its foundations

while continuing to grow.On the product front, Lexus launched its new flagship model,

the LS, and the new global Camry went on sale. In Japan, a new Corolla range was

introduced, emphasizing the importance of this best-selling car.In manufacturing, several

new projects were started around the world. In May, manufacture of the Camry began in

Guangzhou, China, while in the United States, the Kentucky plant, which in October

celebrated 20 years of production, started manufacturing the first Toyota hybrid vehicle

to be made in North America, the Camry Hybrid. In November, the Texas plant began

producing the new Tundra truck, a key vehicle in Toyota’s North American lineup. In

Japan, Toyota Motor Kyushu, Inc. began full-scale operations at its engine factory, while

Toyota Motor Tohoku Co., Ltd. increased its manufacturing capacity.

In human resources development, following the establishment of the Asia Pacific Global

Production Center in Thailand in August 2005, Toyota established the North American

Production Center in the U.S. in February, and the European Global Production Center in

the United Kingdom in March. Established as branches of the Global Production Center

in Japan, these were created to spread Toyota’s manufacturing knowledge and skills

throughout the world in pace with the rapid growth of Toyota’s overseas manufacturing.

The centers educate trainers for local manufacturing plants in all regions, with trainees

passing on what they learn to team members on their return to their plants.

In R&D, Toyota focused its efforts on three key areas: environment, safety and energy. It

made a special effort in the area of the environment by expanding its lineup of hybrid

vehicles, and has worked on R&D relating to plug-in hybrid. In addition, as part of

Toyota’s efforts to respond to the diversification of energy, in 2007 Toyota plans to

introduce a flex fuel vehicle* in the Brazilian market that will run on 100% bio-ethanol

fuel. From this point on, based on the philosophy of providing “the right car, in the right

place, at the right time,” and in accordance with the infrastructure and customer needs of

each region, Toyota will continue to promote efforts to develop environmentally friendly

technology and vehicles.

Corporate Data

Since its foundation, Toyota has conducted business with “contributing to the development of a prosperous society through the manufacture of automobiles” as a guiding principle. When I became president two years ago, I called on all employees to work with me in returning to our origins and asking earnestly whether Toyota is truly contributing to society and whether we are doing everything we should be doing. On the occasion of Toyota’s 70th anniversary, we will reinforce our measures designed to return to our core principle, which is to "repay the earth and society through technological innovation (and contribute to enhancing the quality of life everywhere

Guiding Principles

Honor the language and spirit of the law of every nation and undertake open and fair corporate activities to be a good corporate citizen of the world.

Respect the culture and customs of every nation and contribute to economic and social development through corporate activities in the communities.

Dedicate ourselves to providing clean and safe products and to enhancing the quality of life everywhere through all our activities.

Create and develop advanced technologies and provide outstanding products and services that fulfill the needs of customers worldwide.

Foster a corporate culture that enhances individual creativity and teamwork value, while honoring mutual trust and respect between labor and management.

Pursue growth in harmony with the global community through innovative management.

Work with business partners in research and creation to achieve stable, long-term growth and mutual benefits, while keeping ourselves open to new partnerships.

Toyota Percepts

Company Name Toyota Motor Corporation

Head Office 1 Toyota-Cho, Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture 471-8571, JapanPhone: (0565)28-2121

Tokyo Head Office 1-4-18 Koraku, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 112-8701, JapanPhone: (03)3817-7111

Nagoya Office 4-7-1 Meieki, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture 450-8711, JapanPhone: (052)552-2111

Establishment August 28, 1937

Be contributive to the development and welfare of the country by working together, regardless of position, in faithfully fulfilling your duties.

Be at the vanguard of the times through endless creativity, inquisitiveness and pursuit of improvement.

Be practical and avoid frivolity.

Be kind and generous; strive to create a warm, homelike atmosphere.

Be reverent, and show gratitude for things great and small in thought and deed.

Locations of Toyota Facilities

Toyota Manufacturing Subsidiaries and Affiliates

Main productsStart of

operations

Toyota Motor Kyushu, Inc.

Harrier, Harrier Hybrid, Kluger, Kluger Hybrid, IS, ES

Toyota Motor Hokkaido, Inc.

Transmissions, transfers, aluminum wheels, drivetrain parts, etc.

Toyota Motor Tohoku Co., Ltd.

Mechanical and electronic parts

Toyota Auto Body Co.,Ltd.

Hiace, Liteace, Voxy, Noah, Estima, Prius, Land Cruiser, Alphard, Ipsum, Townace, Regiusace, Coaster, Estima Hybrid, Alphard Hybrid, LX470

Kanto Auto Works, Ltd.Century, Crown, Corolla Spacio, Corolla Fielder, Isis, Belta, SC, Auris, BLADE

Central Motor Co., Ltd.Raum, MR-S, Scion xB, Corolla Axio, Corolla hatchbacks

Gifu Auto Body Industry Co., Ltd.

Hiace

Daihatsu Motor,Co., Ltd.Rush, Passo, Probox, Succeed, bB, Porte, SIENTA

Hino Motors, Ltd.Dyna, Townace, Liteace, FJ Cruiser, Toyoace, Hilux Surf

Toyota Industries Corp. Vitz, RAV4

Toyota continued its support of the ideals and spirit embodied in athletics by becoming, for the third time since 2003, the Official Partner to the 11th IAAF World Championships in Athletics, held in Osaka, Japan, August 25th-September 2nd. Through the sponsorship and a global advertising campaign with the tagline,"Beyond Limits," Toyota aims to communicate its support for athletes who, like Toyota, continually push themselves further in pursuit of the ultimate goal.A part from providing a fleet of 220 cars for use as official vehicles at this year's championships,Toyota also supported a program to encourage new world records for women's events by becoming the official women's bib sponsor

Toyota’s First FFV

Toyota do Brasil LTDA. (TDB) launched Toyota's first-ever flex fuel vehicle (FFV), a vehicle which runs on gasoline, ethanol or any combination of the two, at a line-off ceremony at its Indaiatuba Plant in São Paulo on May 29th. Representing Toyota's commitment to developing environmental technologies, the locally produced Corolla Flex and Corolla Fielder Flex are the first marketed Toyota models that can run on 100% bioethanol. The introduction of the two models in Brazil, where bioethanol is widely used as fuel and FFVs represent 83% of newly registered vehicles in the market, firmly demonstrates Toyota's belief in listening to its customers. In the first semester of the year, Toyota accounted for almost 33,000 of the more than one million vehicles sold in Brazil during that period.

Island Adventure

Members of the Philippine motoring press had a wet and wild time at the Toyota Road Trek 3, held May 31st-June 3rd in the archipelago's central islands. Bringing media representatives to a variety of well-known destinations across the country, the annual road trip is conducted by Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. to demonstrate the toughness and versatility of its IMVs. This year, the event took over 40 participants on an island-hopping adventure, enabling them to fully test the exceptional capabilities of the Innova, Fortuner and Hilux vehicles.A series of competitive, water-related activities made it a truly challenging and fun trip that encouraged teamwork, camaraderie and friendship among all attendees. The event was prominently featured in major newspapers and magazines, further boosting the popularity of IMVs in the market.

A Way to Learn Road safety

Dedicated to promoting activities that help minimize traffic accidents in Pakistan, Indus Motor Company Limited (IMC) in January launched a Toyota School Road Safety Program. Through music concerts, skits by clowns and quizzes in schools, the pilot program aims to educate children about road safety in a fun and memorable way. Twenty schools in Karachi and around 18,000 children have already benefited from the program, which is part of IMC's comprehensive corporate social responsibility initiative with the slogan, "Concern Beyond Cars." IMC looks to expand the program to other schools in Karachi and later to other cities, given the overwhelming response from the children and parents who have so far participated.

Main Report Analysis

Marketing Strategies of Toyota

Products:

Avalon 

Camry 

Camry Salora 

Corolla

Matrix

Prius 

4runner

Highrunner

Land Cruiser

Sequoia

Sienna 

Price:-

As far as pricing strategy of Toyota is concerned. They are focusing on the very segment of the market not only particular segment.  Basically they are focusing on official and business class people 

Product Line            

Avalon $26,625 $28,875 $31,075 $33,815

Camry $18,445(standard) $19,545(LE) $20,375(SE) $22,795(XLE)

Camry Salora $19,530 $21,025 $23,405 $26,942

Corolla $14,005 $15,050 $15,215 $17,780

Matrix $15,110 $16,590 $19,100   

Prius $21,725         

4runner $27,635      

Highrunner $34,625      

Land Cruiser $56,115      

Sequoia $32,820      

Sienna $23,625      

Generic Strategies - Michael Porter (1980)

Generic strategies were used initially in the early 1980s, and seem to be even more popular today. They outline the three main strategic options open to organization that wish to achieve a sustainable competitive advantage. Each of the three options are considered within the context of two aspects of the competitive environment:

Sources of competitive advantage - are the products differentiated in any way, or are they the lowest cost producer in an industry? Competitive scope of the market - does the company target a wide market, or does it focus on a very narrow, niche market?

The generic strategies are: 1. Cost leadership, 2. Differentiation, and 3. Focus.

1. Cost Leadership

The low cost leader in any market gains competitive advantage from being able to many to produce at the lowest cost. Factories are built and maintained; labor is recruited and trained to deliver the lowest possible costs of production. 'cost advantage' is the focus. Costs are shaved off every element of the value chain. Products tend to be 'no frills.' However, low cost does not always lead to low price. Producers could price at competitive parity, exploiting the benefits of a bigger margin than competitors. Some organization, such as Toyota, are very good not only at producing high quality autos at a low price, but have the brand and marketing skills to use a premium pricing policy.

2. Differentiation

Differentiated goods and services satisfy the needs of customers through a sustainable competitive advantage. This allows companies to desensitize prices and focus on value that generates a comparatively higher price and a better margin. The benefits of differentiation require producers to segment markets in order to target goods and services at specific segments, generating a higher than average price. For example, Toyota differentiates its product and service. The differentiating organization will incur additional costs in creating their competitive advantage. These costs must be offset by the increase in revenue generated by sales. Costs must be recovered. There is also the chance that any differentiation could be copied by competitors. Therefore there is always an incentive to innovated and continuously improve.

3. Focus or Niche strategy

The focus strategy is also known as a 'niche' strategy. Where an organization can afford neither a wide scope cost leadership nor a wide scope differentiation strategy, a niche strategy could be more suitable. Here an organization focuses effort and resources on a narrow, defined segment of a market. Competitive advantage is generated specifically for the niche. A niche strategy is often used by smaller firms. A company could use either a cost focus or a differentiation focus. With a cost focus a firm aims at being the lowest cost producer in that niche or segment. With a differentiation focus a firm creates competitive advantage through differentiation within the niche or segment. There are potentially problems with the niche approach. Small, specialist niches could disappear in

the long term. Cost focus is unachievable with an industry depending upon economies of scale e.g. telecommunications.

Customer satisfaction

Toyota's believes in putting the customer first and aims to provide the best levels of customer satisfaction as its main marketing strategy. Their dealers have also worked hard to provide their high levels of customer support."

"In the last one year, Toyota has taken many initiatives, which has made Innova the most successful product. Innova has successfully become a category creator.

We will continue to meet the ever-challenging customer expectations and will come out with innovative marketing strategies.

With a change of guard at Toyota Kirloskar Motor Ltd., the company has evolved a new strategy to capture 15 per cent market share in the Indian automotive segment. Effective from January 1, Atsushi Toyoshima has been appointed Managing Director of the company, replacing Sachio Yamazaki. "Competition is intense in the Indian market for domestic and foreign companies. The Indian market is important for Toyota with potential to aid its growth strategy," Yoshio Ishizaka, Executive Vice-President, Toyota Motor Corporation, said. According to analysts, the Indian market would touch annual sales of 1.2 million units by 2005. Last year, Toyota sold 3.8 million units overseas, manufacturing six million vehicles at 56 plants in 25 countries. In India, the Toyota Quails notched sales of 25,000 units since its launch last year, he said. Toyota's strategy to corner a significant chunk of the Indian market involves "superior product offering and dedicated technology". In this context, the change of leadership in Toyota's Indian division is important, indicating a more important role for the company's manufacturing base in Bangalore.

"Bangalore is an ideal location to meet all of Toyota's needs, including auto components," Mr. Toyoshima said According to the managing director of Toyota Kirloskar Motor, Atsushi Toyoshima, the decision to introduce Innova here (India) was based on three factors. First, over the last five years, the C- segment (between Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh) of the car market has grown by 20 per cent every year. The multi utility vehicle segment has also grown at double-digit levels. Second, with an improving

lifestyle and better roads, the Indian consumer wants to take his vehicle for long drives with friends and family. Third, there is a latent desire of customers, including those owning MPVs, to seek attributes like greater interior space and overloading ability, while passenger car buyers look for better styling and improved riding comfort. Innova brings together the space and fuel economy of an MPV with the style, agility and power of a sedan. Toyota Kirloskar Motor has described it as the first three-row seating passenger car in the Indian market.

Growth of Toyota

Lasting growth for Toyota will depend on aligning our interests with the larger interests of customers and the community. We must be a company where people think seriously about the role and responsibility of their company in the world.

Our economic and industrial contribution in each region grows, for example, as we globalize our operations. Another way to align our interests with the larger interests of the community is through technology.

By the end of 1997, we will introduce the world's first new-energy transport that is commercially competitive with conventional automobiles. That is when we will put a hybrid-electric passenger car onto the market in Japan. Our hybrid-electric car will have a gasoline engine to generate electricity or provide supplementary power to the wheels. It is twice as fuel-efficient as conventionally powered vehicles of comparable size and performance. Equally important, the value of its potential fuel savings could prove greater than its cost premium over conventional vehicles. So, it actually could save money for car owners. Survival and growth in our industry will hinge on developing technologies for reducing environmental impact of our products and operations, as well as improving vehicular safety. Photos and text on the following pages introduce some of the technologies we are developing to position Toyota as an environmental leader

Priorities for Toyota in the growth strategy :

fortifying our product line asserting a competitive edge in technology accelerating globalization reclaiming market share in Japan cultivating demand in new business sectors

Measures for asserting a competitive edge in technology have centered on environmental themes. We have introduced or demonstrated new power train technologies in the past

year that will make Toyotas run cleaner and greener than ever. Those technologies include...

a direct-injection system that makes gasoline engines more efficient hybrid-electric systems that double fuel efficiency and reduce noxious emissions pure electric, "zero emission" vehicles that alleviate urban pollution Fuel-cell systems that could transform the automobile in the 21st century.

Market share of Toyota

Toyota Motor Corp. grabbed more U.S. retail market share than Ford Motor Co. in early November and it was less than one share point behind General Motors Corp.,

Toyota, Japan's largest automaker, had a 15.4 percent U.S. retail market share a year earlier.

Toyota plans to enter small car segment in India

World’s second largest automaker wants to get offensive in the Indian domestic auto market. Toyota is very much interested in launching a small car here in the segment currently dominated by Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai. Tata also has a decent presence in the market with their Indica range of diesel vehicles. Toyota is at the moment carrying out a feasibility study for launching such a vehicle in the domestic market where it has models like the Innova and Camry amongst others. They have had an incredible success with their stopped Qualis model and are selling Toyota Innova in large numbers. T Ino, director (marketing), Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt Limited has expressed that the Indian auto market is a huge one and has the capacity to involve more players in the small car segment.Toyota has a variety of interesting models in its global lineup, which it can consider to launch in the Indian market. Some of these are Vios, Platz, and Passo. The company also expects to break even here in India this year with all the accumulated losses were expected to be wiped out during 2005. They also plan to invest around Rs 130 crores during the current year to enhance efficiency.Toyota also plans to open up another manufacturing plant here in India and is currently looking for a location, which suits its requirement.

COMPETITORS

Hyundai Motors India Limited (HMIL)  A decade after the Korean War and during the period of reconstruction, Hyundai Motor Company began its fledgling efforts at automobile manufacturing by entering into a technology transfer agreement with Ford of Great Britain, receiving design and styling from Ital Design of Italy, and assembling technology from both England and Japan, all of which made the production of our first model car, the "Pony," possible. In just ten years, in 1976 Hyundai began to export to the world market. In 1986, we entered the U.S. market establishing the Excel as a new contender among small cars and promoting the image of the Korean automobile industry.

 Upon expansion of our Ulsan plant, which enabled Hyundai Motor Company to have a large scale production base, and the founding of HM Canadian Corporation, which established Hyundai throughout North America, we produced a record 10 million cars and exported over 4 million, breaking records in a short span of time. No other automobile company can boast of these figures over such a short time span. We also poured our efforts in creating concept cars such as the HCD-I, followed by the HCD-II and III, electric cars, and high technology hybrid cars that will bear fruit in the future with their low pollution emissions, safety features, and environmentally-friendly recyclable components. From Pony to Equus, Hyundai Motor Company is committed to its growth as a mature company, constantly keeping in mind its customer-oriented mottoes: "Customer Satisfaction" and "Create Value for Customers."

Maruti Udyog Limited (MUL)

It was established in Feb 1981 through an Act of Parliament, to meet the growing demand of a personal mode of transport caused by the lack of an efficient public transport system.

Suzuki Motor Company was chosen from seven prospective partners worldwide. This was due not only to their undisputed leadership in small cars but also to their commitment to actively bring to MUL contemporary technology and Japanese management practices (which had catapulted Japan over USA to the status of the top auto manufacturing country in the world).

A license and a Joint Venture agreement were signed between Govt of India and Suzuki Motor Company (now Suzuki Motor Corporation of Japan) in Oct 1982.  

The objectives of MUL then were:

Modernization of the Indian Automobile Industry. Production of fuel-efficient vehicles to conserve scarce resources. Production of large number of motor vehicles which was necessary for

economic growth.

 

Research Methodology

 Objective of the study

The object of report is not only to focus on competitors but also to get the competitive position in the national as well as international market through customer satisfaction. These are as follows.

To discover and translate the needs and desire of customer into products and services so as to create the demand of the product (through planning and producing planned product).

To serve the customer through channel of distribution

To face the keen competition

To know about the marketing strategies used by Toyota

To know about the marketing strategies of the competitors of Toyota

To find out the market share of Toyota

To know where Toyota stands as far as the BCG –matrix models concerned

   Type of data  

This project depends upon the primary as well as secondary sources which are as

follows. 

Secondary source

Balance sheet of the company Company website

Books

Internet

Statistical and Presentation Tools Used

SECONDARY DATA is represented: In the form of tables. By the way of BAR GRAPHS and SUBDIVIDED BAR GRAPHS (Graphical

presentation).

Limitations of the Study

Since the road to improvement is never ending, so this study also suffers from certain limitations. Some of them are as follows:

Because of illiteracy, it was a time consuming method in which continuous guidance was required.

Questionnaire method involves some uncertainty of response. Co-operation on the part of informants, in some cases, was difficult to presume.

It is possible that the information supplied by the informants may be incorrect. So, the study may lack accuracy.

DATA ANALYSIS

SWOT Analysis Toyota

Strengths

New investment by Toyota in factories in the US and China saw 2005 profits rise, against the worldwide motor industry trend. Net profits rose 0.8% to 1.17 trillion yen ($11bn; £5.85bn), while sales were 7.3% higher at 18.55 trillion yen. Commentators argue that this is because the company has the right mix of products for the markets that it serves.

This is an example of very focused segmentation, targeting and positioning in a number of countries.  

In 2003 Toyota knocked its rivals Ford into third spot, to become the World's second largest carmaker with 6.78 million units. The company is still behind rivals General Motors with 8.59 million units in the same period. Its strong industry position is based upon a number of factors including a diversified product range, highly targeted marketing and a commitment to lean manufacturing and quality. The company makes a large range of vehicles for both private customers and commercial organisations, from the small Yaris to large trucks. The company uses marketing techniques to identify and satisfy customer needs. Its brand is a household name. The company also maximizes profit through efficient manufacturing approaches (e.g. Total Quality Management).  

Weaknesses 

Being big has its own problems. The World market for cars is in a condition of over supply and so car manufacturers need to make sure that it is their models that consumers want. Toyota markets most of its products in the US and in Japan. Therefore it is exposed to fluctuating economic and political conditions those markets. Perhaps that is why the company is beginning to shift its attentions to the emerging Chinese market. Movements in exchange rates could see the already narrow margins in the car market being reduced.  

The company needs to keep producing cars in order to retain its operational efficiency. Car plants represent a huge investment in expensive fixed costs, as well as the high costs of training and retaining labour. So if the car market experiences a down turn, the company could see over capapacity. If on the other hand the car market experiences an upturn, then the company may miss out on potential sales due to under capacity i.e. it takes time to accommodate. This is a typical problem with high volume car manufacturing.

Opportunities

Lexus and Toyota now have a reputation for manufacturing environmentally friendly vehicles. Lexus has RX 400h hybrid, and Toyota has it Prius. Both are based upon advance technologies developed by the organisation. Rocketing oil prices have seen sales of the new hybrid vehicles increase. Toyota has also sold on its technology to other motor manufacturers, for example Ford has bought into the technology for its new Explorer SUV Hybrid. Such moves can only firm up Toyota's interest and investment in hybrid R&D.  

Toyota is to target the 'urban youth' market. The company has launched its new Aygo, which is targeted at the streetwise youth market and captures (or attempts to) the nature of dance and DJ culture in a very competitive segment. The vehicle itself is a unique convertible, with models extending at their rear! The narrow segment is notorious for it narrow margins and difficulties for branding.  

Threats 

Product recalls are always a problem for vehicle manufacturers. In 2005 the company had to recall 880,00 sports utility vehicles and pick up trucks due to faulty front suspension systems. Toyota did not give details of how much the recall would cost. The majority of affected vehicles were sold in the US, while the rest were sold in Japan, Europe and Australia.  

As with any car manufacturer, Toyota faces tremendous competitive rivalry in the car market. Competition is increasing almost daily, with new entrants coming into the market from China, South Korea and new plants in Eastern Europe. The company is also exposed to any movement in the price of raw materials such as rubber, steel and fuel. The key economies in the Pacific, the US and Europe also experience slow downs. These economic factors are potential threats for Toyota .

Findings The strong industry position of toyota is based upon a number of factors

including a diversified product range, highly targeted marketing and a commitment to lean manufacturing and quality.

The company(Toyota) uses marketing techniques to identify and satisfy customer needs. Its brand is a household name. The company also maximizes profit through efficient manufacturing approaches (e.g. Total Quality Management).

Toyota is to target the 'urban youth' market. The company has launched its new Aygo, which is targeted at the streetwise youth market and captures (or attempts to) the nature of dance and DJ culture in a very competitive segment.

Toyota's believes in putting the customer first and aims to provide the best levels of customer satisfaction as its main marketing strategy. Their dealers have also worked hard to provide their high levels of customer support."

Competition is intense in the Indian market for domestic and foreign companies. The Indian market is important for Toyota with potential to aid its growth strategy,

They have had an incredible success with their stopped Qualis model and are selling Toyota Innova in large numbers.

While Suzuki-Maruti, Tata Motors, Hyundai, Mahindra & Mahindra and Toyota command the top five positions in the domestic passenger vehicle segment, Honda, GM and Ford are fighting each other for the sixth position.

FINDINGS BASED ON QUESTIONNAIRE

OWNERS OF TOYOTA

YES24%

NO76%

YES

NO

INFERENCE:

24% of the respondents were owners of Honda City

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION

83%

17%

SATISFIED

DISSATISFIED

INFERENCE:

83% of the Respondents were satisfied with their cars and the

services of TOYOTA

However 17% of the Respondents were dissatisfied at the same

time.

0

10

20

30

40

TOYOTA HYUNDAI MARUTI HONDA

PREFERENCES OF BUYING A NEW CAR

INFERENCE:

18% of the respondents would prefer to buy a Toyota car against

its competitors.

37% of respondents preferred for Maruti.

21% and 24% respectively preferred for Hyundai & Honda.

INFORMATION ABOUT TOYOTA

12%

20%

13%

55%

DEALERS

PRINT MEDIA

T.V.

INTERNET

INFERENCE:

Information through Internet and Print media accounts for more

than half or 75% of the information shared with the masses.

Rest 25% was shared by T.V. and Dealers for providing the

information.

FUEL EFFICIENCY OF TOYOTA

78

22

020406080

100

YES NO

INFERENCE:

78% of the respondents felt that Toyota has the most fuel

efficiency.

While 22% felt it isn’t the most fuel efficient.

FEATURES OF TOYOTA

70%

10%

8%

12%

GOOD

VERY GOOD

NOT SO GOOD

SATISFACTORY

INFERENCE:

70% of the respondents felt that the features of the Toyota are

good.

While 8% of respondents thought it was not so good, 10% thought

it was very good and 12% felt satisfactory about the features.

FEATURES THAT BEST DESCRIBES TOYOTA

1518

38

29

0

10

20

30

40

HANDLING FUELEFFICIENCY

DESIGN COMFORT

INFERENCE:

Toyota is best known for its design & comfort.

Then comes Handling and Fuel Efficiency.

INTERIORS OF TOYOTA

74%

16%

3%7%

GOOD

VERY GOOD

NOT SO GOOD

SATISFACTORY

INFERENCE:

The interiors of Toyota are very good according to 74% of the

respondents.

16% said it was very good, 7% said it was satisfactory and 3% felt

it was not so good.

WHAT SHOULD BE DONE TO IMPROVE TOYOTA

72%

15%

13%MAKE IT MOREAFFORDABLE

CHEAPER SPAREPARTS

MORE SERVICESTATIONS

INFERENCE:

If Toyota is made more affordable then it would win more

customers, a theory which was backed by 72% of the

respondents.

15% and 13% respectively want cheaper spare parts and

more service stations.

WHAT SHOULD BE DONE TO MAKE TOYOTA THE BEST CAR

6015

10

15MAKE IT MOREFUTURISTIC

MAKE IT MORESPORTY

GIVE IT A RETROLOOK

GIVE IT ACONCEPT CARLOOK

INFERENCE:

To make it the best car in its class it should be made more

futuristic which was felt by 60% of the respondents.

15% of the respondents thought it should be made more

sporty.

10% wanted it to have a retro look and 15% wanted to

give it a concept car look.

HAPPY WITH AFTER SALES SERVICES PROVIDED BY TOYOTA

85%

15%

HAPPY

UNHAPPY

INFERENCE:

Overall 85% of the respondents were happy with the after

sales service provided by Toyota.

15% were unhappy with Toyota due to poor after sales

services provided by them.

       

Annexure

 QUESTIONNAIRE FOR CONSUMER

A) NAME

B) ADDRESS

C) CONTACT NUMBER

D) INCOME GROUP

_________15,000-25,000 _________25, 000-50,000

_________50,000-75,000 _________Above 75,000

1. DO YOU OWN A CAR?

(i)YES (ii) NO

IF YES, THEN WHICH ONE?

(i)TOYOTA (ii) HYUNDAI (iii) MARUTI

2. HOW SATISFIED ARE YOU WITH THE SERVICES OFFERED BY

TOYOTA ?

(i)SATISFIED (ii) DISSATISFIED

3. IF SATISFIED, THEN ARE YOU HAPPY WITH THEIR CHARGES

AND TIMELY DELIVERY THEY WERE OFFERING?

(i)HAPPY (ii) UNHAPPY

4. IF GIVEN A CHOICE TO CHOOSE A CAR COMPANY, WHICH

COMPANY WOULD YOU CHOOSE?

(i) TOYOTA (ii) MARUTI (iii) HYUNDAI

5. WHERE DO YOU MANAGE TO FIND INFORMATION ABOUT

TOYOTA ?

(I)DEALERS (ii) PRINT MEDIA

(iii)T.V. (iv)INTERNET

6. DO YOU THINK TOYOTA HAS THE MOST FUEL EFFICIENCY

(I)YES (ii) NO

7. HOW DO YOU FIND THE FEATURES OF TOYOTA AS

COMPARED TO OTHER CARS?

(I)GOOD (ii) VERY GOOD

(iii)NOT SO GOOD (IV) SATISFACTORY

8. WHICH OF THESE QUALITIES DO YOU THINK BEST

DESCRIBES TOYOTA ?

(I)HANDLING (ii) FUEL EFFICIENCY

(iii)DESIGN (iv) COMFORT

9. HOW DO YOU FIND THE INTERIORS OF TOYOTA ?

(I)GOOD (ii) VERY GOOD

(iii)SATISFACTORY (IV) NOT SO GOOD

10. ACCORDING TO YOU WHAT SHOULD BE DONE TO

IMPROVE TOYOTA ?

(I) MAKE IT MORE AFFORDABLE

(ii) CHEAPER SPARE PARTS

(iii)MORE SERVICE STATIONS

11. ACCORDING TO YOU WHAT SHOULD BE DONE TO MAKE

TOYOTA THE BEST CAR?

(I)MAKE IT MORE FUTURISTIC

(ii)MAKE IT MORE SPORTY

(iii)GIVE IT A RETRO LOOK

(iv)GIVE IT A CONCEPT CAR LOOK

12. ARE YOU HAPPY WITH THE AFTER SALES SERVICES

PROVIDED BY TOYOTA ?

(I)HAPPY (ii) UNHAPPY

   

Conclusions

&

Recommendations

CONCLUSION

While Suzuki-Maruti, Tata Motors, Hyundai, Mahindra & Mahindra and Toyota command the top five positions in the domestic passenger vehicle segment, Honda, GM and Ford are fighting each other for the sixth position. Incidentally, in the first five months of the fiscal (Apr-Aug ’04) Skoda has moved to the tenth position, overtaking Italian major Fiat. 

Maruti Udyog (MUL), which has been the market leader in the mini, compact and mid-size segments, retains its leadership position with sales of 1.9 lakh units, followed by Tata Motors with 70,022 units, Hyundai Motor India with 48,360 units, Mahindra with 28,530 units and Toyota with 19,797 units.

 Competitive pricing and a better value offerings were driving the sales of most auto majors for the past few months. Despite a competitive business environment, most of the car majors were able to hold on to their market shares in the April to August ’04 period. The exceptions were Hyundai, Mahindra & Mahindra, Hindustan Motors and Fiat, who saw their market shares fall marginally.

 The market is slow and there are visible signs of discounting, particularly in the higher end of the car segment. However, since entry level and compact cars are volume segments, the slowdown’s effect is more visible here.

 For many automobile companies, it was a double whammy in August ’04. The truckers’ strike and adhikmas (inauspicious period) last month affected dispatches of most car companies, including Maruti Udyog, General Motors and Tata Motors, resulting in lower sales. The exceptions were Honda Siel Cars India, Ford India and Toyota Kirloskar.  

  RECOMMENDATION

1. Toyota should adopt the defensive marketing strategy because as being the second largest car producer in the international market.

2. Toyota must at the moment carry out a feasibility study for launching a vehicle in the domestic market where it has models like the Innova and Camry amongst others.

3. Toyota should conduct market survey in Indian market for quails in order to know the perception of Indian consumers.

4. Toyota should adopt an offensive marketing strategy for entering in the small car segment. This market is dominated by Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai in the Indian domestic auto market.

5. Toyota must plan out an ideal marketing producing capacity ,becaue it faces the problem of over and under capacity in case of upturn and downturn of the market.

 BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Books referred: -

Marketing Management 30th editon - Philip Kotler Marketing Management 2005 - T. N. Chabra

Marketing Management 2006 - C. B. Gupta

Web Sites: -

Google search engine www.toyota private limited.com