Freedom Motorcycle

Negative PR affects the perceptions of consumers and this fact is supported by several studies. This fact also made General Motors Corporation’s and the Ford Motor Company’s reputation among the worst in corporate America.

Two of the world’s most admired American companies are now enduring the worst aftermath of negative PR. Both automakers have plummeted sales in 2006. The decline is attributed to the negative publicity about plant closures, job cuts and financial problems.

How bad was the fall? Among the 60 best known American companies in the 8th annual Wall Street Journal/Harris Interactive Poll, GM ranked 57th, down from 38th spot that it used to occupy back in 2005. Ford, on the other hand, dropped to 55th spot from the previous 37th. GM and Ford dropped the most number of rungs of any companies included in the poll.

“It’s all about negative PR. It comes down to job losses, layoffs, plant closings, declining market share,” said Scott Upham, a senior vice president at Harris Interactive who previously worked in purchasing for Ford. “They certainly have a lot of work to do to improve their overall brand image.”

Reputation issues are a major concern as automakers enforce their restructuring plans and improve their current lineups. GM’s 2007 lineup is now greener. The automaker includes a new hybrid system, a fuel-saving V-6 and 14 models — or about 400,000 total vehicles — that can run on E85 ethanol. The Chevrolet Express and the GMC Savana vans are the newest ethanol-capable vehicles. So far, the automaker has about 2 million ethanol-capable vehicles on the road.

In an interview, GM Chairman and CEO, Rick Wagoner, said he thinks GM’s strategy of having several hybrid options is a good one and will make up for the fact that GM has trailed Toyota and other rivals in bringing hybrids to market. GM has been steadily losing U.S. market share to Asian rivals. GM expanded its vehicles with six-speed automatic transmissions. The technology is being added to the Saturn Aura sedan, the Saturn Outlook sport utility vehicle, the Pontiac G6 and the Cadillac STS and SRX.

Ford also expanded its range of safety, handling and entertainment features for its 2007 lineup. Ford, Lincoln and Mercury presented a wide array of new and updated models to offer a boost in customer demand for distinctive design, fuel-efficiency and safety. This expansion also called for tuning the vehicles for maximum performance. Some of the models use Active Brakes Direct to produce a high-performance street machine.

“Too often in the past, our philosophy was to move the metal — to build the vehicles that we had the capacity to build and then price them — often discounting them — to get the customer to bite,” said Mark Fields, Ford Motor Company Executive Vice President and President of the Americas. “We didn’t look far enough beyond the horizon, tracking the trends, knowing our customers, and seeing the day when they might want something else. I’m proud to tell you, that’s the Ford of the past — not the Ford of today.”

Last month, GM introduced a concept plug-in electric hybrid called Volt. Ford also unveiled a plug-in fuel cell vehicle, the Hy-series hybrid Edge. The introductions are made to reclaim prominence in the field.

The reputation issues are a major concern as the companies restructure their operations and improve vehicle quality and design. Both companies have talked recently about trying to close a “perception gap” that keeps some consumers from considering Detroit-made vehicles.

GM and Ford have lost more than $25 billion since 2006, while cutting more than 55,000 hourly jobs and thousands of salaried jobs. GM intends to close 9 plants by 2008, while Ford is in the process of shuttering 14 factories by 2012.

GM’s accounting is the subject of an SEC probe. In addition, GM spokesman Tom Wilkinson acknowledged that the automaker has received “a lot of mixed publicity.” And that “it takes time to close the gap between perception and reality.”

Channel Metrics: UK Motor Insurance – Consumer Distribution Trends

The Channel Metrics briefing about motor insurance is the most detailed and up-to-date guide to distribution trends in motor insurance in the UK available on a published basis. It analyses: how consumers acquire motor insurance – e.g. online, telephone, post or in person; from whom they acquire them – e.g. direct from the provider, through intermediaries or affinity schemes; and how often they acquire them – i.e. how many consumers acquired motor insurance in the last year, either for the first time or by switching provider instead of renewing or carrying on with an existing product. Findings from this survey are compared with those from 2005 and 2007 to show trends over time.

Key Chapters :

0.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY …………………………. 1

1.0 INTRODUCTION ……………………………………. 3

Research rationale …………………………………….. 4

A number of motivating factors underpin the Channel Metrics report and series of briefings ………….. 4

Updating the results from the 2005 and 2007 surveys ……………………… 4

Analysis of consumers making an active distribution choice …………….. 4

Analysis of consumers purchasing or taking out financial services in prior years …………………………… 4

Analysis of distribution interfaces ……………………. 4

Analysis of specific distribution channels …………. 5

Expanding upon the results from the 2005 and 2007 surveys …………… 5

Finaccord ………… 7

Channel Metrics briefings ………………………………. 7

Other UK consumer research publications ……… 8

UK affinity and partnership marketing research publications …………….. 9

UK small business financial services research publications ……………… 9

2.0 ANALYSIS OF RESULTS ……………………… 10

Introduction …… 11

Option for customised data analysis ………… 11

Switching rates and brand new sales – 2009 12

Switching rates are stable but high for motor insurance …………………..12

Distribution interfaces – 2009, 2007, 2005 and all previous buyers compared ……………………… 13

Growth in online sales is slowing, as this interface reaches saturation point ……………………………….. 13

Distribution channels – 2009, 2007, 2005 and all previous buyers compared ………………………. 16

Overview ………… 16

Direct sales by insurance companies held their ground between 2007 and 2009 ……………………….. 16

Detailed analysis 19

Online aggregators have taken market share at the expense of all other major channels ……………. 19

3.0 APPENDIX .. 22

Research sample and mechanics ……………… 23

Research methodology and structure ………. 25

To know more and to buy a copy of your report feel free to visit :

http://www.bharatbook.com/detail.asp?id=132589&rt=Channel-Metrics-UK-Motor-Insurance-Consumer-Distribution-Trends.html

Related Reports :

Channel Metrics: UK Pet Insurance – Consumer Distribution Trends

http://www.bharatbook.com/detail.asp?id=132593&rt=Channel-Metrics-UK-Pet-Insurance-Consumer-Distribution-Trends.html

Channel Metrics: UK Private Medical Insurance – Consumer Distribution Trends

http://www.bharatbook.com/detail.asp?id=132595&rt=Channel-Metrics-UK-Private-Medical-Insurance-Consumer-Distribution-Trends.html

Or

Contact us at :

Bharat Book Bureau

Tel: +91 22 27578668

Fax: +91 22 27579131

Email: info@bharatbook.com

Website: www.bharatbook.com

Follow us on twitter: http://twitter.com/3bbharatbook

It has been more than 50 years now that bikes have been ruling the Indian automobile sector. New and Second Hand Bikes in India have been flourishing as a two wheelers segment, and Indian bikes gaining on popularity all across the world. India is the manufacturer of some of the best bikes in the world.. Besides, there are also a number of new bikes in India that are awaiting a launch in the near future.

Leading two-wheeler manufacturer Honda Motorcycles and Scooter India launched stunning model Honda CB Twister in Indian auto market in entry level segment and can be seen now easily at their websites and free classifieds. The company has launched three variants of CB Twister. Hero Honda has come up with refreshed designed new Hero Honda CBZ Xtreme along with class leading features. This bike is extremely show stealer when compared to other bikes in the class. New Hero Honda CBZ Xtreme is available in two variants that are self and kick start. For you who have bad credit but need extra cash to buy a motorcycle, cash loans for bad credit can be the best way

Yamaha Motor India Pvt. Ltd. has launched a sports bike Yamaha Fazer in the 150cc segment. Yamaha Fazer launched to target the Indian youth with its sporty stylish look and high performance engine. The Yamaha Fazer is continuously doing well in Indian motorcycle market because of its overall smart design, higher quality levels, full digital console and Yamaha’s brand name.

India’s second largest two wheeler manufacturer Bajaj Auto introduced a new bike Bajaj Pulsar in 150cc segment to attract premium segment bike buyers in Indian market. After getting the huge market response for 150cc engine powered Bajaj Pulsar, the company introduced the more powerful version of this bike. These more powerful versions of Bajaj Pulsar are powered by the 135cc, 180cc and 220cc engine and it offers excellent acceleration and engine performance.

India’s second largest bike manufacturers Bajaj Auto has also launched another stunning model Bajaj Discover in mid segment motorcycle market. Initially, Bajaj Auto has launched Bajaj Discover in only 100cc segment but after its huge success the company has launched its more powerful version which powered by the 135cc engine. Both variant of Bajaj Discover got huge popularity in Indian motorcycle market with its sporty, stylish look and high performance.