A Pure Characteristics Demand Model for Automobile Variants

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to demonstrate, via an empirical example, how to obtain point estimates of price elasticities for differentiated products using a single cross section of product level data. Bajari and Benkard (2005) use revealed-preference bounds for the taste coefficients. In order to obtain point estimates, I modify their model in two ways. First, I impose additional bounds on the willingness to pay for characteristics, based on the price consumers actually paid for the product they purchased. Secondly, I make an assumption about the distribution of taste coefficients within the bounds for each product. I estimate the model with data on new car sales in Norway.