Title: Alienation in the internet society: changes in car buyer attitudes in the Japanese automobile industry

Authors: Masataka Morita, Kiyohiko G. Nishimura

Addresses: Faculty of Business Administration, Rissho University, 4-2-16 Osaki, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141-8620, Japan. Faculty of Economics, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8654, Japan

Abstract: This paper explores characteristics and changes in the attitudes of Japanese automobile buyers based on large-scale surveys in 1999 and 2001. The data shows a remarkable increase in internet usage; the ratio of internet users to all car owners was doubled between 1999 and 2001 from 16% to 32%. One may suppose that such a surge in internet usage significantly changes its users| attitudes and behaviour. However, to our surprise, we found that a major change had occurred in non-internet users, rather than internet users. The data reveals that non-internet users were increasingly disappointed at the current internet-driven strategies of manufacturers and dealers. The results of this study show that automobile buyers have become quite heterogeneous in the advent of the internet. To devise a suitable strategy in this diversified society is a real challenge to both automobile manufacturers and dealers.

Keywords: Japanese automobile industry; car buyers| attitudes; internet effects; alienation; buyer heterogeneity.

DOI: 10.1504/IJATM.2002.000063

International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management, 2002 Vol.2 No.2, pp.190-205

Published online: 13 Jul 2003 *

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