Cadillac Adds Premium Care  Cadillac is adding standard scheduled maintenance - Premium Care - to its 2011 Model Year products. Providing scheduled maintenance is a way to demonstrate commitment to the customer, reduce ownership costs and increase customer loyalty. BMW has been offering scheduled maintenance for years and has effectively shed its "Break My Wallet" image that existed prior to the scheduled maintenance program.

Premium Brands Abandoned Standard Scheduled Maintenance  In the past, most of the European luxury brands included standard scheduled maintenance - BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, Land Rover. As costs went up and belts had to be tightened all with the exception of BMW dropped out. Surprising because consumer input to AutoPacific has indicated that standard scheduled maintenance is a strong enticement in selecting one brand over another.  BMW was winning the battle with no competition.

Standard Scheduled Maintenance Returning as Customer Satisfaction and Marketing Tool  Brands have begun to slowly return to standard scheduled maintenance as a customer satisfaction enhancer and sales enticement... Volvo, Volkswagen are now on board.  Jaguar has added its Platimum Coverage for 2011 that provides all scheduled maintenance for 5-years or 50,000 miles.  2010MY Land Rover models include scheduled maintenance for a short period after purchase. Perhaps they will follow Jag's lead.

In any event, standard scheduled maintenance appears to again gain traction in the marketing wars at the top of the market.  That VW has adopted it may indicate adding standard scheduled maintenance even to popular high volume brands.

Posted by George Peterson at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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National Survey Reveals Cadillac as Top Premium Brand, Buick as Top Popular Brand, Ford Motor Company Has Most Awards with Seven, Suzuki Kizashi as Top Car and Lincoln MKT as Top Truck

TUSTIN, Calif. (May 20, 2010) -- AutoPacific today announced its 14th Annual Vehicle Satisfaction Awards (VSA) to help consumers make informed vehicle purchase decisions.

"While the auto industry is showing signs of improvement, more than ever before, manufacturers need to be able to differentiate themselves. Proof of satisfied customers is as good as gold," says George Peterson, president of AutoPacific. "We've found that more than 25% of new car buyers are positively influenced by owner-based awards like the VSA when deciding on a new car or truck."

AutoPacific's Vehicle Satisfaction Award is an industry benchmark for measuring how satisfied an owner is with his/her new car or light truck. This study by the Southern California-based automotive research firm summarizes the results of over 42,000 new vehicle owners.

"Vehicles that score highest in the Vehicle Satisfaction Awards are delivering value and satisfaction across a wide range of attributes," says Peterson. "The winners perform well in 48 separate categories that objectively measure the ownership experience."

Continue reading "Autopacific Announces 2010 Vehicle Satisfaction Awards" »

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 6:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

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The data for April 2010 new vehicle sales are now in, and there is some dramatic news in the full-size pickup arena.

When compared with April 2009, Ford's F-Series share of the full-size pick segment is up...way up! Up from 34.3% of segment last year to 39.1% of segment this year -- an increase of 4.8%.

The Dodge Ram share of segment is down by an equally impressive amount, from 18.8% of segment to 12.6%, a 6.6% loss.

The GM entries (Chevrolet Silverado, and Avalanche, GMC Sierra and Cadillac Escalade) and the Toyota Tundra and Nissan Titan have all about maintained share of segment. The results are very similar if you compare April 2010 to April 2009 or if you look at the first four months of 2010 with the first four months of 2009.

What did Ford do right? No doubt the current F-150 and F-250/350 Super Duty models are as good as any vehicles in their segment. That helps! But what happened to the Dodge Ram? Both the Ram 1500 and Ram 2500/3500 heavy Duty models are great products - especially with the Ram's Cummins I6 diesel. As far as I can tell, pricing and incentives are also competitive. So what's the problem? My speculation (and it is no more than that) is that pickup-truck buyers concern about Chrysler's future may be at the heart of the problem.

Posted by Jim Hossack at 8:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Two-Year Purchase Intention Down

TUSTIN, Calif. (May 3, 2010) - AutoPacific, an authoritative automotive research and insight company, regularly tracks the impact of fuel prices on the type of vehicles Americans will consider buying. The results for the just completed Fuel Price Impact Survey show some surprising results, and are summarized below.

While there are many indications that the recession is ending, at least in terms of new vehicle sales it may be too early to declare victory, as expressed intent to purchase a new car or truck in the next two years has slightly declined over the January to March period.

Over 1,000 respondents completed AutoPacific's March 2010 wave of its Fuel Price Impact Survey.

Continue reading "Too Early to Declare the Auto Recession Over?" »

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 10:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Being a company focused firmly forward, we don't talk used cars much. But a program like this deserves some virtual ink.

Recalls have been in the news this year like rarely before. The depth and scope of Toyota's problems has increased sensitivity to any manufacturer's recalls--and make no mistake, there are many issued. Most not so severe as Toyota's problems with accelerator shims, but out there all the same.

Half of the equation for ensuring cars on the road have had any recall work performed is in the owner's hands. Often, owners ignore recall notices, particularly for minor issues, or figure it'll get handled with the next oil change, to have it fall off today's crowded to-do lists.

GM and Carfax announced a measure of help for anyone looking to purchase a used vehicle, making it easier to find out if the car was affected by a recall and if the work was done. GM is providing VINs to Carfax of millions of Buicks, Cadillacs, Chevrolets, GMCs, Saabs, Saturns, Pontiacs, and Hummers with open recalls.

Continue reading "Recalls and Used-Car Shopping: GM and Carfax Team Up" »

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 4:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Nissan has today announced U.S. LEAF pricing. On the eve of the New York show, they have successfully caused a near-unanimous "WOW" across the industry with an amazingly low price for high-technology system. Profit per vehicle is not something automakers are happy to talk about in any situation, but the expectation is that Nissan may not make any profit on the LEAF for many, many years. Still, the combination of an affordable price and the years of deep legwork Nissan has done in preparing consumers and communities for the product, the LEAF is the biggest step yet in advancing the cause of electric vehicles. What does this mean for the success of LEAF? Here's my first reaction...

Pricing Summary
$32,380 ($25,280 after $7500 Federal tax credit)
$349/month for 36-month lease (Nissan takes the credit to enable that price)
$2200--AeroVironment home-charging dock and installation (also eligible for tax credit)
$99 Registration fee, refundable (www.nissanusa.com)

Continue reading "WOW! $25,000 For an EV? Here Comes Nissan LEAF!" »

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 3:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Interest in Small Cars, Hybrids
Declines Despite Fuel Price Increase

TUSTIN, Calif. (February 11, 2010) - AutoPacific regularly tracks the impact of fuel prices on the type of vehicles Americans will consider buying. The results for the just-completed Fuel Price Impact Survey show very surprising results.

Governmental mandates and consumer desires appear to be moving at cross-purposes. At a time when Congress and the Obama Administration are mandating more fuel efficiency, fuel price increases have moderated. Consumer preferences are swinging in the direction opposite what the government desires. Consideration for small cars and hybrids, the most fuel efficient vehicles, is down dramatically, while consideration for pickups and SUVs is up dramatically. Over 1,000 respondents completed AutoPacific's January 2010 wave of its Fuel Price Impact Study.

Continue reading "Consumer Car Choices Counter to What Government Mandates" »

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 6:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

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The Toyota recalls over sticking accelerator pedals are causing quite a stir this week, one which has grown in volume, really, over months and years. The fallout may be severe for Toyota, depending on how long it takes to fully resolve the issues and whether or not an additional recall regarding the Prius brake system is also required--voluntary or not. The situation is particularly bad for a company that had built a personality based on reliability and safety. No doubt, they will be taken to task. No doubt, mistakes were made. Also no doubt, the media frenzy is turning an already difficult and serious recall situation into recall fever.

But, while the drama plays out on local and national news, and our hard-working Congresspeople ensure they publicly flog Toyota and get their two cents in and "keep us safe," there are real people with real questions. Toyota has some answers for customers, and we'd like to share them with you.

Follow the jump for Toyota's relatively thorough and clear FAQs, including information on both the accelerator pedal and floor mat recalls, and what to do in an emergency.

Continue reading "Toyota Recall Customer FAQs" »

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 6:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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AutoPacific's Ed Kim appeared on Fox Business News today to discuss what lies ahead in the near future for the auto industry. Yes, 2009 was a real bummer, so what can we expect in the years ahead?

See the interview after the jump.

Continue reading "What to Expect in 2010 and Beyond" »

Posted by Ed Kim at 11:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

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PickupTucks.com and AutoPacific have taken a look at all the new trucks sold in the past 10 years and made their picks for the most significant trucks of the decade. The trucks that made the list introduced cutting edge technologies and pushed the segment into new territory.

"Despite the economic challenges of the past two years, it's hard not to look back at the last ten years without calling it the decade of the pickup truck," said PickupTrucks.com editor Mike Levine. "Sales of full-size pickups hit 2.56 million units in 2004 and Ford's F-Series trucks remain the nation's best-selling vehicles, 33 years in a row."

Though there are many trucks that had a significant impact in the last decade, it's clear that the 2009 Ford F-150 earned the title of "Most Significant".

"On balance, we thought the 2009 Ford F-150 was the most significant pickup of the last decade," said Jim Hossack, vice president of consulting for AutoPacific. "It sells in high volume, owners like it and its body, chassis and powertrain are all first rate. Features abound, and there are more models, series and options than can be counted. It's a good looking truck and suitable for the widest possible range of tasks and uses."

After the jump are those trucks deemed most significant, in no particular order.

Continue reading "PickupTrucks.com and AutoPacific Announce the Most Significant Trucks of the Decade" »

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 9:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Gradual Recovery Over the Next Five Years, But No Return to 17-Million Unit Years Anytime Soon

TUSTIN, Calif. (December 21, 2009) -- 2009 will be a memorable year for the automotive industry -- unfortunately for all the wrong reasons. The U.S. light vehicle market is expected to close out 2009 at a disastrous 10.3 million sales, down from 16.1 million sales just two years prior and the lowest industry volume since AutoPacific began forecasting automotive sales in 1988. Naturally, the national economic collapse had a profound impact on retail sales of light vehicles.

The industry can look forward to year-on-year recovery over AutoPacific's five-year forecast period, but at a relatively gradual pace. In the near term, AutoPacific forecasts industry volume of 11.4 million units in 2010 as the economy slowly heals but also as unemployment hampers faster industry sales recovery. 2015 will see industry sales of 15.4 million, a significant improvement from 2009 volumes but still a far cry from the near-17 million unit years seen through much of the past decade.

Continue reading "AutoPacific Sales Forecast: U.S. Light Vehicle Sales Set to Recover...Slowly" »

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 9:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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AutoPacific, Inc. and SIGMA GmbH use Model-Level Social Milieus to Help Manufacturers Determine How to Make Small Cars Sell to US Consumers

TUSTIN, Calif. USA and MANNHEIM, Germany (December 9, 2009) - Tightening CAFE standards may force smaller cars on US car buyers who are not inclined to downsize. "Our research shows that, despite what the U.S. Government is telling us, few Americans want to downsize to smaller cars," says George Peterson, President of AutoPacific, "Finding more buyers inclined to purchase smaller cars will not be easy."

For years, the US automobile industry has relied heavily on analyzing demographic factors in order to segment the marketplace, and sell consumers vehicles with different characteristics. Traditional socio-demographic targeting using variables such as sex, age, education or income, has been the norm. While many manufacturers have tried to create independent systems for segmenting the market, the results are often short-lived, and lack a global perspective in an industry that clearly must design and sell vehicles on a global level.

Continue reading "Selling Smaller Cars in the US Won't be Child's Play" »

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 11:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Reconciling Consumer Expectations with Reality Won't be Easy

TUSTIN, Calif. (December 2, 2009) -- A study released today by automotive research firm AutoPacific shows that while consideration for alternative fueled vehicles is on the rise, it is often driven by economic forces, rather than consumer desire to help the planet. "We have witnessed that hybrid consideration increased with fuel price, until people became used to higher fuel prices," says Jim Hossack, Vice President of AutoPacific. "Fuel prices have settled down in 2009 and so has demand for hybrid vehicles"

Going green will not be a walk in the park. Hybrid considerers are 10 percentage points more likely than gasoline considerers to agree with the statement, "I am prepared to pay a higher price for an environmentally friendly vehicle." This is even truer for plug-in hybrid considerers (+17 percentage points) and pure electric considerers (+ 19 percentage points). However, they plan to pay between $2,000 and $5,000 less on their next vehicle than gasoline considerers. "Clearly, there is a disconnect here. While green car considerers indicate that are willing to pay more, they are actually budgeting less for their next car. This needs to be reconciled, or alternative fueled vehicles may stall in the marketplace," said Hossack.

Continue reading "Do Green Cars Really Add Up?" »

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 8:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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On Monday November 30, Audi AG revealed the all new Audi A8 flagship sedan to the world media in Miami, Florida. There were 850 journalists in attendance from the USA, Europe, South America, China, Japan, Russia... anywhere you can name.

Capping Audi's Centennial Anniversary, the launch of the A8 is very significant to the company. The A8 is being introduced in Europe and China earlier in 2010 with the USA getting A8 in Winter 2010 or Spring 2010.

Study Team Visits USA and China The A8 has a special place in AutoPacific's heart. In early 2006, AutoPacific hosted an Audi study team working on finalizing the concept of the A8. The team was in the USA for about three weeks. After visiting the USA, they spent a month in China where Audi outsells BMW and Mercedes-Benz by two-to-one. This group of engineers, planners, designers, financial experts and production managers were extremely enthusiastic, very knowledgeable and anxious to do what was right for the car and for Audi.

The results of their work is the all new 2011 Audi A8. Wow, what a car!

Continue reading "2011 Audi A8 Premium Luxury Reveal" »

Posted by George Peterson at 10:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Old Time Extravaganza Let's call it a shindig. A Hollywood premiere. Audi celebrated its 100th Anniversary and introduced its all new A8 premium luxury sedan to the world on Monday night in Miami Beach at the renowned Founainbleau Hotel.

Audi constucted a monolithic hurricane-capable structure about a quarter mile up Miami Beach in which to hold the affair. The building will be used for about a week with Audi-related events. Media and glitterati on Monday night, dealers, community VIPs, consumers will all get a chance to see the new A8 during the week of November 30.

The total cost for the program is said to be $9.5 - $10million. This is a very significant sum today and goes back to the way automakers used to launch their cars - before today's huge buget cuts.

Miami Design Week As a sponsor of Art Basel Miami Beach, Audi has provided transportation to various venues and display space for contemporary art.

Continue reading "Audi A8 Premiere - Launch Gala the Old Way" »

Posted by George Peterson at 7:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Ford Motor Company launched a new powertrain technology called EcoBoost earlier in 2010. EcoBoost will eventually be available on 90% of Ford's lineup in the USA. The first EcoBoost installations are in Ford's new D3 Platform vehicles - Ford Taurus SHO, Lincoln MKS, Lincoln MKT, and Ford Flex. EcoBoost's first installation is a 3.5L V6 with gasoline direct injection and twin turbochargers. Power output on the Taurus SHO is 365HP while on the MKS, MKT and Flex is 355. The EcoBoost 3.5L has 350lb-ft of torque. These technology advancements yield substantially better performance while achieving equivalent fuel economy as a vehicle equipped with a non-EcoBoost 3.5L (of course this is only on paper. EcoBoost is so fun to drive you'll be in it all the time - achieving equal fuel economy is just a dream).

EcoBoost a $5,000 Proposition Anyway, EcoBoost is not free. A Taurus SHO is almost $40,000 and the price increase for EcoBoost on the MKT, MKS and Flex comes out to about $5,000. That price includes all wheel drive which EcoBoost requires to handle the power and torque on the front wheel drive platform. So, with the power and price increase, how many is Ford selling?

EcoBoost Installations Running Ahead of Forecast According to George Pipas, Ford's spokesman for sales reporting and arcane numbers, the Taurus SHO now represents about 15% of the Taurus lineup. This is 5%-pts higher than Ford had estimated. Each Taurus SHO generates $10,000 more economic profit than an average Taurus. Installation rate on the Lincoln MKT is 47%. About 30% of Lincoln MKS gets EcoBoost (and 37% gets AWD). The Flex has about an 11% rate lowest of the four.

So, it appears that EcoBoost is well on its way to being a success even in these tough economic times. In each vehicle line, with the possible exception of Flex, the installation rate is healthy for a performance option. It will be interesting to see what the mix is of EcoBoost engines as Ford continues to roll the technology across its vehicle lines.

Posted by George Peterson at 12:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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I have been looking for a chance to drive the diminutive Mitsubishi i-Cars ever since I first saw the photos of them. When visiting Mitsubishi HQ in Cypress, California, there they are in the lobby on display. But it wasn't until the just finished Outlander and Friends press preview Mitsubishi held in Palm Springs that I was able to drive both of the i-Cars.

There were two i-Cars at the preview - the i-MiEV (Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle) - the all electric Japanese kei car that the press is reporting on continuously and its gasoline-powered base car. Lets talk about the gas-powered version first.

"kei" Car for the USA? First, the Mitsubishi i is a very, very small car. It is a Japanese "kei" car meaning it is designed to be a tiny commuter car for dense urban environments. It also means that the car is limited to a 660cc engine. The example we were able to drive was powered by a turbocharged 660cc engine, had an automatic transmission and all wheel drive.

Continue reading "Mitsubishi i-Gas and i-MiEV - Ready for Prime Time?" »

Posted by George Peterson at 1:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Survey Shows Generation Y Frequently Multitasking While Driving

TUSTIN, Calif. (October 21, 2009) -- Willing to embrace new brands, new technology and alternative powertrains, Generation Y will redefine the automotive market. A just released study on Generation Y new vehicle buyers in the United States shows Generation Y consumers are more likely than the generations before them to consider purchasing a Chinese or Indian branded vehicle, more willing to accept hybrid powertrains, and more likely to want the latest entertainment technology in their vehicle. As the largest generation since the Baby Boomers continues to gain spending power and enter the new-car market, which automakers will win their confidence? AutoPacific's study underscores the opportunities for automakers to reach Generation Y consumers as they move through their Teen, Young Adult and Young Family life-stages.

"Growing up with continuously evolving technology and electronics has given Generation Y a unique ability to adapt easily to change, a willingness to accept new brands, and an expectation that their vehicle provide the best of what is available," said George Peterson, president of AutoPacific, the research firm that conducted the study. Though many Generation Y consumers would choose a trip around the world over a luxury vehicle, Generation Y does expect that the vehicle they buy will be more than just basic transportation. "Generation Y is more likely than older generations to own portable electronics, more likely to research their vehicle options on the Internet, and an astonishing 29%points more likely to frequently multi-task while driving. They know what's out there, they know the economical and environmental problems we face, and their vehicle expectations reflect that knowledge."

Continue reading "Generation Y Open To New Brands, New Technology And Hybrids" »

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 5:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Survey Shows What Buyers Want - And Their Hesitation to Think Small

TUSTIN, Calif. (Sept. 9, 2009) - A just released study on the future of small cars in the United States shows American consumers are increasingly interested in smaller cars, but with reservations about size and features. The study underscores the challenge automakers face in trying to meet government mandated improvements in fuel economy while still delivering what consumers want and will buy. Many carmakers have recently introduced new, smaller cars to the market and are launching more in the future.

"Our research indicates that American car buyers are definitely willing to buy a more fuel-efficient car, but that they don't want it to be much smaller than what they are driving today," said George Peterson, president of AutoPacific, the research firm that conducted the study. "Tomorrow's successful small car won't be tiny. It will be reasonably sized, have increased fuel economy, adequate performance and a full load of customer features."

Continue reading "Small Cars, Big Market?" »

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 5:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

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The Cash for Clunkers Program Ended at 8PM EDT on Monday August 24.  According to government statistics, 680,114 Cash for Clunkers deals were made using $2.88 billion of the $3 billion authorized for the program..  The average clunker received a $4,235 rebate.  Reimbursements are coming very slowly to dealerships and the government is putting more processors on staff to handle the backlog.  Overall, a rare successful stimulus program.

On July 24, 2009 new car dealers in the United States began accepting trade-ins of older vehicles not worth much for new cars. Based on their fuel economy and the fuel economy of the new vehicle purchased, customers received a voucher for $3,500 or $4,500 to apply to the purchase of a new car or light truck.

Ultimately, the results of this program may be the sale of slightly over 700,000 new cars and light trucks with about 250,000 incremental to what would otherwise have been sold. But the impact goes deeper. There will have been substantial sales tax revenue from each sale going to states and cities that sorely need the income. Additional income taxes will be generated from the additional commissions and salaries dealership personnel otherwise would not have earned. The list goes on.

A brief synopsis of the impact of the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) is shown below the fold...

Continue reading "Impact of Cash for Clunkers Program" »

Posted by George Peterson at 5:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Awards Show Consumers Enjoy Luxury and Size
(August 11, 2009) -- Right brain, left brain; the practical versus the emotional -- an age-old dilemma often at the center of decision making when buying a new car or truck. The 2009 Motorist Choice Awards recognize new cars and trucks that give their owners both economic and emotional satisfaction, helping new-car buyers find vehicles that best satisfy all of their personal-transportation needs. The fourth annual Motorist Choice Awards survey, announced today, scores 196 cars, trucks, crossovers and SUVs. With the top overall scores in both owner satisfaction and value, the Lexus LS placed highest of any 2009 model year vehicle.

Large and luxury vehicles dominated this year's results. The top 34 ranked cars, and 106 of the top 107, are large cars, luxury cars, sport utility vehicles, crossover SUVs or minivans. Only one small car, the BMW 1-Series, scored in the top 100, landing in the 35th slot. Toyota Prius is the next-highest-scoring small car, coming in 107th.

Awards are given for top-scoring vehicles scoring in each of twenty-three segments, as well as for the top-scoring brand. Nine manufacturers earned segment wins, led by Toyota with nine awards (including three for Lexus), followed by General Motors with six (Chevrolet 4, Cadillac 2), Honda with three, and Chrysler with two (Dodge 1, Jeep 1). Audi, Ford, Hyundai, Nissan and Volkswagen took top honors in one segment each.

(And check out our video on YouTube.)

Continue reading "Motorist Choice Awards Reveal Vehicles That Please Both Hearts And Minds" »

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 5:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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New Study Shows Willingness to Accept Unknown Brands

Tustin, CA (July 28, 2009) -- Newly released research shows fifteen percent of new car buyers in the United States say they would consider purchasing their next vehicle from China, and eleven percent would consider buying a car from India, without knowing specific brands or vehicles. This compares with sixteen percent who said they would consider a vehicle from Korea, which has been marketing vehicles in the U. S. since the 1980s.

"As Hyundai and Kia have been on the American scene for decades now, it's surprising that consideration for Chinese and Indian brands, sight unseen, would be about as strong as it is for the Korean brands," said George Peterson, president of automotive research firm AutoPacific and author of the study. "However, with so many premium and high-tech non-automotive products already being made in China and purchased by Americans, why not automobiles too? It appears that buyers in America are willing to give Chinese and Indian vehicles a chance right out of the box. Understanding these consumers will be critically important to the success of any newcomer."

Continue reading "Americans Open to Vehicles From China And India" »

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 12:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Those Intending to Keep Car More than Four Years Up Over 12 Percent

TUSTIN, Calif. (July 14, 2009) -- An annual survey of new vehicle buyers shows a significant increase in the number of people planning to hold onto their cars and trucks. In 2005, just over 46 percent of new car acquirers indicated they would not be shopping for a new vehicle for four years or more; in the just completed survey that number has risen to about 59 percent -- an increase of almost 13 percent. At the same time, the number of people intending to replace their vehicle within the next 2 years has fallen.

Continue reading "Americans Keeping Their Cars Longer" »

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 7:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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The Detroit Big Three soon will consist of the New General Motors, New Chrysler and Old Ford, or better... the New Old Ford. Ford has benefited from a major restructuring begun with the arrival of Alan Mulally in 2006. Like most other automakers today, their sales are way down and they are hemorrhaging cash at an alarming rate. But they seem to have a plan. They have a viable short term product plan, have aggressively rightsized their organization and have not taken federal bailout money and have not undergone bankruptcy, It's a wonder that all sounds like good news.

A VehicleVoice Internet survey of over 900 respondents in the field from June 3 through June 8 asked several questions concerning Ford's position in the market while General Motors and Chrysler are in bankruptcy...

Continue reading "Ford Benefits from GM/Chrysler Bankruptcies" »

Posted by George Peterson at 6:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

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Imagine this: You own a business. One day, you receive a telephone call from the owner of a competitor of yours. After many discussions, you're essentially offered the opportunity to create a new company overseas; one that will then purchase the assets of the competitor at a highly reduced (but court approved) price, including parts, trained staff, union agreements, and, if you like, part or all of a fully established dealer network. And, your deal will have solid backing from a variety of sources, including the government. If you own Fiat, then that is essentially what you're doing right now with Chrysler Corporation.

Continue reading "Chrysler BK May Signal New Era for US Manufacturers" »

Posted by dbarrett at 7:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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