Choosing a car for commercial taxi use with AHP and TOPSIS: Malatya province research

Intense competition and technological developments also affect the automotive industry, and new brands and models as well as existing models are introduced to the market with new alternatives with different features. The decision to buy a car, which is made by evaluating many criteria, becomes much more difficult with the abundance of alternatives. In addition to this diversity in the automobile market, the differences in customer preferences also make this decision difficult. Commercial taxis are one of the most frequently used vehicles. In automobile preference, the purpose of use changes the importance weights of the selection criteria. This study examines the problem of car preference to be used as a commercial taxi by using AHP and TOPSIS methods, which are multi-criteria decision making techniques. In the study, considering the literature review and expert opinions, seven criteria that are thought to be important in the selection decision were determined. By using the AHP method, the weights of the criteria affecting the automobile preferences were determined and the most ideal automobile selection was made with the TOPSIS method. The data were collected through a questionnaire prepared by examining the literature. In the questionnaire, comparisons of the criteria affecting the choice of automobile were made and a 9-point evaluation scale was used. The collected data were analyzed with MS Excel program. As a result of the study, the weight order of the criteria affecting automobile preferences is fuel type, price, after-sales service, engine volume, transmission type, equipment and design. By using the criteria weights obtained, the most suitable automobile alternatives to be used in commercial taxis were determined with the TOPSIS method.