Automobile Industry

Automobile Industry

USA

Dear participants,
first of all, thanks for taking the time to fill out the questionnaire.
I am a student at the University of Hamburg and am currently writing my Master Thesis on a comparison of the American and the German automobile industry. By filling out the questionnaire you would help me very much with my research. All personal data you provide will be kept confidential. Providing your email address is optional and will only be used to draw the winner of the $25 Amazon.com gift certificate, it will not be used for any other purposes. Please fill out the questionnaire in the order it is written, do not read the whole questionnaire before starting to answer. When you are finished filling everything out please hit the "Submit" button at the end of the page. Thanks for your help.


Contact Information

Name: Susanne Anton
Email: SusiAnton@lycos.de


1. 		 

Relevant buying factors
   
   
If you were buying a car used as the primary vehicle, please think about which factors would be important to you. Indicate the importance by clicking on one of the boxes. The further to the right, the more important a factor is to you. Checking the box furthest to the right indicates that the factor is essential when buying a car, checking the box on the very left means that the factor does not favorably influence your buying decision.

 
   

1.1.  
A high safety standard:
 
   
  Not important         Very important
 

 
   

1.2.  
ESP (electronic stability program):
 
   
         
 

 
   

1.3.  
ABS (antilock brake system):
 
   
         
 

 
   

1.4.  
At minimum of four airbags:
 
   
         
 

 
   

1.5.  
Good emergency handling:
 
   
         
 

 
   

1.6.  
A stiff chassis:
 
   
  Not important         Very important
 

 
   

1.7.  
High overall performance:
 
   
         
 

 
   

1.8.  
Strong acceleration:
 
   
         
 

 
   

1.9.  
Maximum speed:
 
   
         
 

 
   

1.10.  
High amount of horsepower:
 
   
         
 

 
   

1.11.  
High performance endurance (e.g. driving for long periods of time at maximum speed):
 
   
  Not important         Very important
 

 
   

1.12.  
High overall quality:
 
   
         
 

 
   

1.13.  
Long expected lifespan:
 
   
         
 

 
   

1.14.  
Few service intervalls:
 
   
         
 

 
   

1.15.  
Long warranty:
 
   
         
 

 
   

1.16.  
Low emission car:
 
   
  Not important         Very important
 

 
   

1.17.  
Good fuel economy:
 
   
         
 

 
   

1.18.  
Catalytic converter:
 
   
         
 

 
   

1.19.  
High overall comfort:
 
   
         
 

 
   

1.20.  
Few driving noises:
 
   
         
 

 
   

1.21.  
Smooth shifting (automatic transmission):
 
   
  Not important         Very important
 

 
   

1.22.  
Clear controls (easy to use):
 
   
         
 

 
   

1.23.  
Cupholders:
 
   
         
 

 
   

1.24.  
Brand:
 
   
         
 

 
   

1.25.  
Long model life (few model changes):
 
   
         
 

 
   

1.26.  
Innovative design:
 
   
  Not important         Very important
 

 
   

1.27.  
High image and high brand reputation:
 
   
         
 

 
   

1.28.  
Unique brand specific design:
 
   
         
 

 
   

1.29.  
Many available features/options:
 
   
         
 

 
   

1.30.  
The possibility to have the custom configuration (of features/options) produced on demand:
 
   
         
 

 
   

1.31.  
Fast availability of innovations:
 
   
         
 

 
   

1.32.  
Short delivery time:
 
   
  Not important         Very important
 

 
   

1.33.  
Large trunk-/storage space:
 
   
         
 

 
   

1.34.  
Good customer care/service (before, during and after sale):
 
   
         
 

 
   

1.35.  
In addition to the factors listed, what other factors would be essential to you when buying a car?
 
   
 



2. 		 

Buyer perceptions
   
   

 
   

2.1.  
I believe Japanese cars are of higher/lower quality than American cars:
 
   
    Higher quality
   
    Lower quality

 
   

2.2.  
I believe that German cars are of higher/lower quality than American cars:
 
   
    Higher quality
   
    Lower quality

 
   

2.3.  
I believe Japanese cars are of higher/lower quality than German cars:
 
   
    Higher quality
   
    Lower quality

 
   

2.4.  
How did you define quality when you answered the last three questions?
 
   
 

 
   

2.5.  
If two cars were of the same quality and price I would rather buy a car of an American brand:
 
   
  Disagree         Strongly agree
 

 
   

2.6.  
I believe the German luxury automobile industry shaped the international luxury automobile industry:
 
   
  Disagree         Strongly agree
 

 
   

2.7.  
I believe the American luxury automobile industry shaped the international automobile industry:
 
   
  Disagree         Strongly agree
 

 
   

2.8.  
If you were getting a new car, how would you pay for it?
 
   
    Cash
   
    Lease
   
    Finance through dealer/manufacturer
   
    Finance through bank
   
    Company car
   
   
Other, please specify:  

 
   

2.9.  
When buying a car do you make the decision on your own or do you consult with somebody?
 
   
    I make the decision alone
   
    I consult with my partner
   
   
Other, please specify:  

 
   

2.10.  
If you answered "I consult with my partner" in question 2.9, who makes the final decision?
 
   
    I do
   
    My partner does
   
    We do together
   
    Not applicable


 
   

2.11.  
Would you pay for extra warranty?
 
   
  Yes   No
   

 
   

2.12.  
If you answered "yes" to question 2.11. How much money would you approximatly be willing to spend on one more year of "bumper to bumper" warranty?    $ 
   
 
  Not applicable


 
   

2.13.  
Which extra offer of your car dealer would positively influence your buying decision? (Here you can check more than one box).
 
   
    Incentives
   
    Free test drive
   
    Information on safety training
   
    24-Hour-Hotline
   
    Invitations to special events
   
    Extra discounts/rebates




3. 		 

Personal Information
   
   
Please provide some information about yourself. Again, all information will be kept confidential and will only be used for this paper. The email adress will only be used to draw the winner of the gift certificate.

 
   

3.1.  
Age:     

 
   

3.2.  
Gender:
 
   
    Male
   
    Female

 
   

3.3.  
State:
 
   
 

 
   

3.4.  
Yearly income:
 
   
    under 25,000
   
    25,000 - 30,000
   
    +30,000 - 35,000
   
    +35,000 - 40,000
   
    +40,000 - 45,000
   
    +45,000 - 50,000
   
    +50,000 - 55,000
   
    55,000 - 60,000
   
    more than 60,000

 
   

3.5.  
Occupational group:
 
   
    Academics (college/university, school etc.)
   
    Employed
   
    Self-employed
   
    Unemployed
   
    Retired

 
   

3.6.  
How much would you approximatly spend on a new car?    $ 

 
   

3.7.  
What brand of car would you probably buy?
 
   
 

 
   

3.8.  
What type of car would you probably buy?
 
   
    Sedan
   
    SUV
   
    Convertible
   
    Pickup truck
   
   
Other, Please Specify:  

 
   

3.9.  
How many kids do you have?
 
   
    None
   
    1
   
    2
   
    More than 2

 
   

3.10.  
If you want a chance to win please enter your email adress below:
 
   
 



4. 		 

Thanks for participating!
   
   

 
   

4.1.  
Do you have any other questions or comments? Also feel free to email me.