A – Conceptualization; B – Methodology; C – Software; D – Validation; E – Formal analysis; F – Investigation; G – Resources; H – Data curation; I – Writing – original draft; J – Writing – review & editing; K – Visualization; L – Supervision; M – Project administration; N – Funding acquisition
Submission date: 2026-04-10
Final revision date: 2026-06-08
Acceptance date: 2026-09-04
Online publication date: 2026-09-10
Corresponding author
Małgorzata Anna Lotko
Casimir Pulaski Radom University, Malczewskiego 29, 26-600, Radom, Poland
The aim of the paper was to identify consumer segments due to their awareness regarding vehicle maintenance and to determine the structure of these segments. A quantitative approach was used. The questionnaire containing 21 variables was conducted using an online survey. 235 correctly completed records were obtained. The analysis used cluster analysis. As a result, 4 consumer segments were identified. These are: (1) technically average users (35% of the sample), (2) lay users (21%), (3) cautious amateurs (9%) and (4) experts (35%). Based on the obtained results, it was found that there are consumer segments that differ in terms of awareness regarding vehicle maintenance. Proposed segmentation can form the basis for differentiating marketing strategies. Vehicle producers and workshops can create and implement them in order to optimally tailor the marketing message and its content to specific consumer groups. Contribution of the paper includes identification of consumer segments, identification of segment structures, as well as suggesting differentiating marketing strategies.
REFERENCES(57)
1.
Godlevskaja O, van Iwaarden J, van der Wiele T. Moving from product‐based to service‐based business strategies: Services categorisation schemes for the automotive industry. International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management 2011; 28(1): 62-94. https://doi.org/10.1108/026567....
Yildirim S, Hemikoglu M, Yucekaya A, Aydin M, Ozcan B, Kidik D, Yuzbasioglu O. Data-driven approaches for predicting maintenance service demands in the automotive sector. SSRN Papers 2024; December: 1-43. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5....
Huang Y-F, Chung J-C, Lin Y-S, Hsu K-H, K C-C. Discussing the effects of lifestyle on customer service strategy with cluster analysis and Kano model: A case study on maintenance and repair of motor vehicles. Journal of Information and Optimization Sciences 2015; 36(3): 247-268. https://doi.org/10.1080/025226....
Wang Y, Zhu Q. After-sales service-oriented automobile customer classification index system and evaluation example. In: 2011 Second International Conference on Networking and Distributed Computing; Beijing, China. Beijing: IEEE, p. 145-148. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICNDC.....
Brito E, Aguilar R, Brito L. Customer choice of a car maintenance service provider: A model to identify the service attributes that determine choice. International Journal of Operations & Production Management 2007; 27(5): 464-481. https://doi.org/ 10.1108/01443570710742366.
Hong J, Kim B, Oh S. The relationship benefits of auto maintenance and repair service: A case study of Korea. Behavioral Sciences 2020; 10(7); 115. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs1007....
Tsai C-F, Hu Y-H, Lu Y-H. Customer segmentation issues and strategies for an automobile dealership with two clustering techniques. Expert Systems 2015; 32(1): 65-76. https://doi.org/10.1111/exsy.1....
Semenov I, Jacyna M, Milewska B. Maximizing uptime of the aging road tanker fleets in labor shortages and economic uncertainty by implementing preventive maintenance practices. Eksploatacja i Niezawodnosc – Maintenance and Reliability 2026; 28(2). http:/10.17531/ein/205976.
Beggiato M, Krems J. The evolution of mental model, trust and acceptance of adaptive cruise control in relation to initial information. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour 2013; 18: 47-57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.....
De Winter J, Happee R, Martens M, Stanton A. Effects of adaptive cruise control and highly automated driving on workload and situation awareness: A review of the empirical evidence. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour 2014; 27: 196-217. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.....
Le T, Circella G. Propensity towards ownership and use of automated vehicles: Who are the adopters? Who are the non-adopters? Who is hesitant?. arXiv 2024: 1-21. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv....
Balassa B, Choi M, Baquillas J, Koteczki R. Identifying consumer segments for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS): A cluster analysis of driver behavior and preferences. Future Transportation 2025; 5(4): 182. https://doi.org/10.3390/future....
Young M, Stanton N. Back to the future: Brake reaction times for manual and automated vehicles. Ergonomics 2007: 50(1); 46-58. https://doi.org/10.1080/001401....
Ruiz D, Castro C, Armarion E. Explaining market heterogeneity in terms of value perceptions. The Service Industries Journal 2007; 27(8): 1087-1110. https://doi.org/10.1080/026420....
Lotko M, Lotko A, Paździor M, Żuchowski J. Clustering consumers due to their awareness and beliefs towards sustainable products. Management 2025; 29(1): 88-116. https://doi.org/10.58691/man/1....
Moussa A, Aoulmi Z. Improving electric vehicle maintenance by advanced prediction of failure modes using machine learning classifications, Eksploatacja i Niezawodnosc – Maintenance and Reliability 2025; 27(3). https://doi.org/10.17531/ein/2....
Biehal G. Consumers' prior experiences and perceptions in auto repair choice. Journal of Marketing 1983; 47(3): 82-91. https://doi.org/10.1177/002224....
Ngadiman Y., Nor Aziati A, Bon A, Ahmad M, Rasi R, Hock M. Identification of public awareness in preventive maintenance for personal automobile. In: Proceedings of the International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management. Springer; 2015. p. 995-1001. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-....
Conlon E, Devaraj S, Matta K. The Relationship Between Initial Quality Perceptions and Maintenance Behavior: The Case of the Automotive Industry. Management Science 2001; 47(9): 1191–1202. https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.4....
Mayer D, Laux L. Automotive maintenance and safety preparedness among drivers: Aspects of age and gender. Proceedings of the Human Factors Society Annual Meeting 1990; 34(14): 993-997. https://doi.org/10.1177/154193....
Archer N, Wesolowsky G. Consumer response to service and product quality: A study of motor vehicle owners. Journal of Operations Management 1996; 14(2): 103-118. https://doi.org/10.1016/0272-6....
Rosenberg M, Hovland C. Cognitive, affective, and behavioral components of attitudes. In: Rosenberg M, Hovland C (eds). Attitude Organization and Change. New Haven: Yale University Press; 1960.
Mikulić I, Bošković I, Zovak G. Effects of driving style and vehicle maintenance on vehicle roadworthiness. Promet – Traffic & Transportation 2020; 32(5): 667-677. https://doi.org/10.7307/ptt.v3....
Kamwara E, Szpytko J. Human factors influencing the reliability and safety of vehicles, Kenya case study. Journal of KONBiN 2024; 54(2): 107-114. https://doi.org/10.5604/01.300....
Seniwoliba A, Awuni A. Assessment of vehicle maintenance culture and its cost-effectiveness: The case of the University for Development Studies. European Scientific Journal 2023; 19(2): 18-39. https://doi.org/10.19044/esj.2....
Gorzelańczyk P, Kliszewski Ł, Piątkowski P. Analysis of the impact of the technical condition of vehicles on road safety. The Archives of Automotive Engineering - Archiwum Motoryzacji 2023; 100(2): 62-74. https://doi.org/10.14669/AM/16....
Wolak A, Fijorek K, Zając G. Professional car drivers’ attitudes toward technical, marketing and environmental characteristics of engine oils: A survey study. Energies 2020; 13(8): 2069, https://doi.org/10.3390/en1308....
Jewel D. Top 7 maintenance trends in CY-2021 and 2022. Automotive Fleet 2021; October 15. https://www.automotive-fleet.c... [accessed 08 February 2026].
Lotko M, Lotko A. Cluster analysis of knowledge workers assessment of occupational threats and attitudes to character of work. Eksploatacja i Niezawodnosc – Maintenance and Reliability 2015; 17(1): 80-89.
Lotko A, Korneta P, Lotko M, Longwic R. Using Neural Networks in Modeling Customer Loyalty in Passenger Cars Maintenance and Repair Services. Applied Sciences 2018; 8(5): 713. https://doi.org/10.3390/app805....
Kowalkowski C, Tronvoll B, Sörhammar D, Sklyar A. Digital servitization: How data-driven services drive transformation. In: Proceedings of the 55th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences. Honolulu, USA; 2022. p. 1258-1267. https://doi.org/10.24251/HICSS....
Adetunla A, Rominiyi O, Afolalu S, Akande S. Automotive sector and the maintenance culture in developing nations. In: 2024 International Conference on Science, Engineering and Business for Driving Sustainable Development Goals. Omu-Aran: IEEE; 2024, https://doi.org/10.1109/SEB4SD....
Bustinza O, Vendrell-Herrero F, Baines T. Service implementation in manufacturing: An organizational transformation perspective. International Journal of Production Economics 2019; 192(C): 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe....
Chawla B, Singh B. Impact of supportive after-sales services on customer satisfaction in automobile industry. Orissa Journal of Commerce 2022; 43(4): 59-72. https://doi.org/10.54063/ojc.2....
Payne A, Storbacka K, Frow P. Managing the co-creation of value. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science 2008; 36(1): 83-96. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11747....
Vargo S, Lusch R. Service-dominant logic: Continuing the evolution. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science 2008; 36(1): 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11747....
Beckers S, Risselada H, Verhoef P. Customer engagement: A new frontier in customer value management. In: Handbook of Service Marketing Research, Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing; 2013.
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.