TOKYO (Jan. 12, 2010)—Bridgestone came top in three tire categories in Japan, according to the latest J.D. Power customer OE satisfaction survey.
Bridgestone out-ranked all other suppliers in the SUV segment, mini car segment and the mini-van segment.
Michelin topped the passenger car segment for the fifth consecutive year.
Dunlop won top ranking in the mini car segment; however, it was only one point ahead of Bridgestone and Yokohama.
These rankings aside, J Power noted that when customers have a good experience with OE tires, they tend to buy more replacement tires in the same brand.
The study finds that, on average, 74 percent of owners are likely to purchase replacement summer tires that are of the same brand as their original equipment tires. However, among highly satisfied customers (satisfaction scores averaging 800 or higher on a 1,000-point scale), this figure increases to 88 percent.
In addition, among owners who have previously used a brand of summer replacement tires other than the brand of original equipment tires on their new vehicle, an average of 19 percent are likely to switch to their OE tire brand for their next set of summer replacement tires.
However, this figure increases considerably—to 46 percent—among owners who are highly satisfied with their OE tires (scores averaging 800 or higher).