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The Eyes Have It: How a Car's Face Influences Consumer Categorization and Evaluation of Product Line Extensions
Author(s) -
Keaveney Susan M.,
Herrmann Andreas,
Befurt Rene,
Landwehr Jan R.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
psychology and marketing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.035
H-Index - 116
eISSN - 1520-6793
pISSN - 0742-6046
DOI - 10.1002/mar.20501
Subject(s) - categorization , product line , product (mathematics) , psychology , face (sociological concept) , line (geometry) , advertising , cognitive psychology , marketing , computer science , artificial intelligence , business , linguistics , mathematics , manufacturing engineering , engineering , philosophy , geometry
This research focuses on a previously unexamined risk associated with the widely used new product development strategy of line extensions. Specifically, it explores consumer reactions when line extensions become too visually similar and examines both short‐term and longer term strategies for solving the problem. Examined in the context of consumer durables, specifically, automobiles, the results show that consumers who make categorization mistakes when trying to distinguish between two visually similar product lines have more negative attitudes not only toward the product but also toward the parent brand. The results of S tudy 1 confirm that providing a design vocabulary that articulates the car's design features is effective in reducing consumer's categorization mistakes. In addition, results of S tudy 2 indicate that changes to the car's “eyes” (headlights) are more effective than changes to the car's “mouth” (grille) in helping consumers to differentiate among cars in the line.