The first subcategory to answer my question “what defines a car as a good car” is: What are the main sectors of types of cars and which cars/brands dominate those sectors. This subcategory will help me better understand which types of car groupings there are and what people look for in different types of cars.
CAR TYPES:
Main types of cars from looking at their body types are SUVs, Trucks, Minivans, Hatchbacks, Sedans, Coupes, Sports cars, luxury cars, and convertibles. To describe them briefly, Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) sit high off the ground and which often have four-wheel drive and rugged styling. Trucks are large, heavy motor vehicles specialized to carry heavy loads. Minivans are vehicles with a low body, sliding or hinged rear doors, and 3 rows of seats that fit 8-9 passengers in total. Hatchbacks are smaller cars with a rear door that swings upward to provide access to the main interior of the car as a cargo area rather than just to a separated trunk. Sedans are smaller passenger cars with four doors that have a low body. Coupes are also smaller passenger cars but they have two doors rather than four. Sports cars are designed with an emphasis on handling, acceleration, top speed, and racing capability, they are usually lowered to have a low body and are very aerodynamic. Luxury cars are cars that provide above-average to high-end levels of comfort, features, and equipment, and are usually made with very expensive materials. Convertibles are cars that can open up their roof and can be driven with or without a roof. [6]
Types of cars in order SUV, Truck, Minivan, Hatchback, Sedan, Coupe, Sports car, Luxury car, Convertible:
MAIN SECTORS:
According to Kadence international, there are 9 types of consumers: the performance seekers, eco-conscious drivers, family oriented consumers, luxury consumers, tech savvy buyers, economical buyers, off-road enthusiasts, fleet buyers, and urban commuters. These consumers make up the main sections of cars that specific people look for: [1]
The Performance Seekers: Performance seekers are the consumers that judge and buy cars based on their performance level. Rather than looking for fuel efficiency or practicality, these consumers look for fast and powerful cars above all else. This means the cars they are looking for exhibit a faster acceleration rate (ex. 0-60 in 4 seconds), responsive handling, and superior power output. The performance seekers are mainly interested in sports cars, high performance sedans, and performance-enhanced variants of popular models. [1] examples of types of cars performance seekers look for: Audi R8, Porsche 718 Cayman, Chevrolet Corvette, etc. [2]
Eco-conscious Drivers: these consumers look for vehicles that are sustainable and that follow environmentally friendly practices. They look to minimize their ecological impact by finding vehicles with low emissions, improved fuel efficiency and reduced carbon footprints. Such cars include electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles such as the Tesla Model 3, Nissan Leaf, and Toyota Prius
Family Oriented Consumers: these consumers look for vehicles that are generally spacious and suitable for the well-being of their family. They look for vehicles that are spacious for passengers and cargo, durable and reliable. [1] Such cars include SUVs, minivans, and crossovers like the Hyundai Tucson, Honda Passport, and KIA telluride. [3]
Luxury Consumers: these consumers look for sophistication, exclusivity, and high-end features in their vehicles, and they value prestige and status. They look for refined craftsmanship, cutting-edge technology, and unparalleled comfort, and they seek vehicles that show the best automotive engineering and design. Such cars include sports cars and high-end sedans like the Mercedes Benz S-Class, BMW 7-Series, and the Audi A8.
Tech Savvy Buyers: these consumers look for vehicles that offer advanced connectivity, innovative infotainment systems, and cutting-edge features. They look for high-tech vehicles that seamlessly integrate with their smartphones, offer intuitive user interfaces, and provide advanced driver-assistance systems. [1] Such cars include moderns vehicles with state of the art technology like the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Chevrolet Bolt EUV, and the Land Rover Range Rover. [4]
Economical Buyers: these consumers look for the most cost-conscious vehicles that are affordable, fuel efficient, and have long-term cost savings. They look to maximize the value of their investment and look for compact cars, hatchbacks, and small SUVs with good fuel efficiency and affordability. [1] Such cars include the Nissan Versa, KIA Rio, and the MINI hardtop 2 door. [5]
Off-Road Enthusiasts: these consumers look for vehicles that can handle rugged terrains, provide off-road capabilities, and offer an exhilarating driving experience. They look for vehicles that are durable and can withstand rugged terrain, and they value adventure, exploration, and freedom. Such vehicles include vehicles with 4×4 capabilities (a system in which an automobile’s engine powers all 4 wheels evenly), robust suspension systems (springs, shocks, and control arms or locating links, which are designed to isolate the truck’s structure and passenger compartment from road surface disturbances), and ample ground clearance like trucks, SUVs, and rugged off-road vehicles. Such cars include the Jeep Wrangler, Toyota 4Runner, and the Ford F150 Raptor. [1]
Fleet Buyers: these consumers are comprised of businesses and organizations that require a fleet of vehicles to support their operation. They look for reliability, cost-efficiency, and functionality when selecting vehicles for their fleets. Such vehicles include the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid LE AWD, For Maverick Hybrid XL Supercrew FWL, and the Toyota Sienna LE. [1]
Urban Commuters: these consumers are individuals that navigate busy city streets and face traffic congestion, limited parking, and the need for fuel efficiency. They look for convenience, practicality, and fuel-efficiency when looking for a vehicle and are drawn to compact cars, hatchbacks, and city friendly vehicles that offer good fuel efficiency and ease at parking. Such cars include the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and the Volkswagen Golf. [1]
Through this research, I am able to narrow down different sectors of cars, and what specific people look for in specific cars, which will help my research to answer my essential question.
- https://kadence.com/understanding-consumer-segments-in-the-automotive-industry-9-types-of-car-buyers-and-their-personas/
- https://www.caranddriver.com/rankings/best-sports-cars/performance
- https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/best-cars-for-families
- https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/advice/high-tech-cars?slide=5
- https://www.edmunds.com/economy/#economy-x-small-hatchbacks
- https://www.jdpower.com/cars/body-styles
