RECOMMENDATIONS
It is very important to know precisely the factors affect consumers’ decision to
use NGV. Therefore, it is recommended that the PPT management team implement a
strategy for the development of their NGV operations to better serve the needs of future
consumers. The recommendations are detailed as follows:
1. Recommendation for differentiated studies (geographic locations, demographic
factors, and vehicle factors): The hypothesis testing results of group A to C show that the
difference in geographic, demographic factors (age levels and personal income levels),
and vehicle factors (types of engine) reflects the difference in behavior intention. They
also identify the possible main target groups in terms of four segments which are as
follows: Firstly, geographic location segmentation, people who have the intention to use
NGV are those who live outside the Central area because they have higher scores in
terms of behavior intention. Presently PTT has expanded the NGV and refueling
infrastructure focusing on Greater Bangkok and the provincial areas along the natural gas
pipeline route and along the super highways (www.ngv.org, 2007). PTT should not ignore
the people in other areas because they are one of the main target groups. Hence, the
researchers recommend PTT to expand the operations throughout the center along with
the Central area because NGV service station network should cover the area where NGV
users are assured of convenience in refueling facility. Secondly, demographic
Journal of International Business and Cultural Studies
A comparative study, Page 7
segmentation, the consumers who tend to use NGV are mature people whose ages are 42
years old and up. According to a previous local journal (Marketeer, 2006), it has been
reported that the number of this age group are on the increase to an approximate 14
million or 20% of the total Thai population. Moreover, the purchasing power of this
group is 3 times higher than people in their 30s. It must also be noted that 75-79% of the
people aged 50 years old and above have an average income of about 40,000 Baht per
month. Thus, NGV product has an opportunity to grow in the future. Furthermore,
people in this group do not have to take care of their children anymore and more than one
fourth of them are divorced or single, and also have full power to make a decision.
Therefore, PTT should concentrate on such factors as safety and appearance that can
convince people of this group to make a decision to use NGV. Thirdly, in terms of
segmentation of vehicle’s engine types, diesel engine users are the main target of PTT
because this group is the one with the highest intention. Therefore, PTT should promote
more in-use diesel-powered vehicle conversion. The researchers suggest that PTT should
promote NGV via television’s transportation & technology programs in order to give