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July 28, 2011
Automakers Offer Appealing New Vehicles as they face Tough Market Conditions
Photo: Porsche Cars 2012 911 Black Editions.
Photo: BMW ActiveE - the first all-electric BMW.
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Photo: All-new 2011 Chrysler 300 World Debut: Chrysler Brand President and CEO Olivier Francois unveiled all-new Chrysler 300 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
Photo: Lexus (luxury vehicle division of Toyota) pairs supermodel and supercar for Ad in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
• As the auto industry battles through another difficult year, vehicle manufacturers are fighting to win customers by offering the most appealing vehicles in history, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2011 U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout Study released today.
• Vehicle Appeal at a Historic High
The study finds that overall vehicle appeal has reached an all-time high since the study’s inception in 1996. Furthermore, recently launched all-new and redesigned models are substantially more appealing than their carryover counterparts.
“The auto industry has taken a battering during the past few years,” said David Sargent, vice president of global vehicle research at J.D. Power and Associates. “However, it is clear that throughout this period, automakers have never lost sight of the fact that survival—and ultimately success—only comes from winning over customers in the showroom. Offering highly appealing vehicles is one of the primary means to succeed.”
• Vehicle Appeal and Initial Quality
At the same time, according to J.D. Power’s Initial Quality Study, on average, all-new and redesigned models have more problems than carryover models.
“There are two sides of the quality coin: things gone right and things gone wrong,” said Sargent. “Both are of critical importance, and models that perform well on both measures generate higher levels of recommendation and, ultimately, higher loyalty to the brand. In general, customers are also willing to pay more for vehicles that combine high appeal with high initial quality.”
Porsche is the highest-ranking nameplate for a seventh consecutive year. Hyundai improves from 2010 more than any other nameplate this year, while Jeep and Chrysler also improve considerably.
J.D. Power and Associates, a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies, is a global marketing information services company. J.D. Power’s Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout Study examines how gratifying a new vehicle is to own and drive. This study complements the Initial Quality Study which focuses on problems experienced by owners during the first 90 days of ownership.
- J.D. Power 2011 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout Study -
- Nameplate Ranking -
(Based on a 1,000-point scale)
• Porsche — 879
• Jaguar — 857
• BMW — 850
• Land Rover — 841
• Audi — 835
• Mercedes-Benz — 832
• Lexus — 827
• MINI — 824
• Lincoln — 820
• Cadillac — 816
• Acura — 808
• Infiniti — 806
• Volvo — 803
• Volkswagen — 798
• Hyundai — 793
• Ford — 785
• Buick — 783
• Scion — 782
• Industry Average — 781
• GMC — 778
• Kia — 777
• Chrysler — 775
• Chevrolet — 774
• Ram — 773
• Mazda — 769
• Mitsubishi — 767
• Dodge — 764
• Toyota — 763
• Honda — 762
• Nissan — 762
• Jeep — 759
• Subaru — 758
• Suzuki — 734
- Top Three Models per Segment -
Car Segments:
Sub-Compact Car
• Ford Fiesta
• Mazda MAZDA2
• Honda Fit
Compact Car
• Chevrolet Volt
• Volkswagen Golf
• Mitsubishi Lancer
Compact Sporty Car
• Volkswagen GTI
• MINI Cooper
Compact Premium Sporty Car
• BMW Z4 Roadster
• Mercedes-Benz E-Class Convertible/Cabriolet
Entry Premium Car
• Lexus IS
• BMW 3 Series (tie)
• Volkswagen CC (tie)
Midsize Sporty Car
• Dodge Challenger
• Chevrolet Camaro
Midsize Premium Car
• BMW 5 Series
Large Premium Car
• Hyundai Equus
• BMW 7 Series
• Audi A8
Midsize Car
• Suzuki Kizashi
• Hyundai Sonata
• Kia Optima
Large Car
• Dodge Charger
• Ford Taurus
• Nissan Maxima
Compact Crossover/SUV
• MINI Countryman
• Volkswagen Tiguan
• Hyundai Tucson
Compact MPV
• Scion xB
• Kia Soul
Entry Premium Crossover/SUV
• BMW X3
• Audi Q5
• Volvo XC60
Midsize Crossover/SUV
• Dodge Durango
• Ford Flex
• Ford Explorer
Large Crossover/SUV
• Nissan Armada
• Chevrolet Tahoe
• Ford Expedition
Midsize Premium Crossover/SUV
• Porsche Cayenne
• BMW X6
• Audi Q7
Large Premium Crossover/SUV
• Land Rover Range Rover
• Land Rover Range Rover Sport
• Mercedes-Benz GL Class
Large Pickup
• Ford F-150 LD
• Chevrolet Avalanche
• Ford F-250/F-350 Super Duty
Midsize Pickup
• Honda Ridgeline
• Nissan Frontier
• Toyota Tacoma
Minivan
• Honda Odyssey
Three models rank highest in their respective segments in both the 2011 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout Study and the 2011 Initial Quality Study: the Dodge Challenger, Ford F-150 LD and Honda Ridgeline.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 1:59 AM | Link to this Post
