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‘THINK ...’ is a monthly publication focusing on topical issues within the European Union, including: - 

• Europe coming out of recession
• European consumer confidence
• European household income / expenditure

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Car manufacturers can learn from TNS’ new real-time study of Chinese car buying which reveals a very different path to purchase than shown by post-purchase research, with unexpectedly rapid decision-making. Rather than take several months to decide, Chinese auto buyers decide on a make and model within four weeks.

Andy Turton shares some valuable insights from TNS’ The Automotive Path to Purchase Study (TAPPS) in the October 2012 issue of Admap.

Traditional research methodologies are fundamentally flawed. The industry relies on incomplete models that fail to reflect what people actually do, and fail therefore to give marketers a true understanding of what is happening to their brands – where the growth opportunities lie and when a brand is at risk.

TNS is part of  WPP’s consumer insight and consultancy group, Kantar.  It’s come to our attention that Kantar’s name is being exploited to further a fraudulent “mystery shopper” or “secret shopper” scam. People around the U.S. and Canada are receiving offer letters bearing the Kantar name and logo, and fake contact information, inviting recipients to become a “Customer Services Evaluator” or “Investigative Shopper.” A cheque or money order is enclosed along with the letter, as payment for the shopping and the recipient’s services.