While nearly two-thirds of new vehicle buyers had previously owned a car, more than one-fourth upgraded from a two-wheeler such as a scooter or motorcycle, according to JD Power Asia Pacific 2006 India Sales Satisfaction Study.
The study, which for the first time analysed the upgrade behaviour in the Indian auto industry, said that car market leader Maruti Suzuki has the highest percentage of prior two-wheeler owners, while Skoda has the fewest.
"Prior owners of two-wheelers overwhelmingly purchase small cars as a practical alternative," JD Power Asia Pacific Director Mohit Arora said. "However, the car repurchaser's choice of a new vehicle is driven by comfort and roominess," he added.
In terms of sales satisfaction, the overall Indian auto industry had made improvements, even as car market leader Maruti Suzuki topped for the third consecutive year, the study said.
With 795 points on the index against an industry average of 772, Maruti outperformed other makes on all six factors contributing to the overall sales satisfaction index - delivery process, delivery timing, salesperson, dealer facility, paperwork and deal - it said.
Czech carmaker Skoda came second while Korean auto major Hyundai was third in the list.