Car Blog

AutoPacific’s Coveted Award Is Based On Opinions of Thousands of Customers

For the third-year straight year, Porsche customers have rated the superior driving experience of their cars in AutoPacific’s annual 2010 Ideal Vehicle Awards (IVA) survey. Indeed, the Porsche owners’ ratings were so high that once again the German brand is the survey’s number-one rated premium car brand in the United States. Porsche took home the same honor in 2008 and 2009.

The AutoPacific IVAs are among the most comprehensive and respected in the industry and this year they were based on more than 42,000 owners’ ratings of their new 2010 model year cars and trucks across 15 key vehicle attributes that measure just how closely a vehicle matches their expectations. The cars that owners would change the least are considered the most ideal.

In addition to winning as a brand overall, Porsche also swept this year’s specific IVA sports car segment. The highly acclaimed Porsche Cayman was chosen as the winner of the Ideal Sports Car. Coming in second and third were the Porsche Boxster and 911 respectively. This also marks consecutive years that Porsche has taken the top spot in the IVA’s sports car category.

“An ideal vehicle is one that meets the owner’s expectations for the product. They do not want it changed. They don’t want it bigger. They don’t want it faster. They don’t want its styling changed,” says George Peterson, president of AutoPacific. “When asked what they would change about their new vehicle, buyers who want the least change are driving their ideal vehicle. This means Porsche has created cars that owners essentially say are perfect.”

The IVAs are driven by data collected from thousands of new car and light truck buyers measuring the fusion between trust, anticipation, expectations and reality within specific product segments. In addition to identifying segment winners, IVA also establishes numerical ideal vehicle ratings for virtually every passenger car and light truck in the United States market. These results come from calculating owner input across 15 specific areas related to a vehicle’s attributes, including: exterior styling, exterior size, passenger roominess, cargo space, driver’s seat comfort, driver’s seat visibility, interior technology, interior lighting, power and acceleration, ease of getting in and out, interior storage compartments, ride, handling, safety features and tires and wheels.

The Awards incite the notion that automakers that best understand their customers and create the vehicle their buyers demand, come closest to the ideal.

AutoPacific is a future-oriented automotive marketing and product-consulting firm. Every year it publishes a wide variety of syndicated studies on the automotive industry. The firm also conducts extensive proprietary research and consulting for auto manufacturers, distributors, marketers and suppliers worldwide. Company headquarters and its state-of-the-art automotive research facility are in Tustin, California, with an affiliate office in the Detroit area.

National Survey Reveals Cadillac as Top Premium Brand, Buick as Top Popular Brand, Suzuki Kizashi as Top Car and Lincoln MKT as Top Truck.

AutoPacific 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.”

The vehicle – car or truck – registering highest overall satisfaction in 2010 is the all new Suzuki Kizashi. The Kizashi scored 99 points above the industry average to place first among all 2010-model year vehicles in AutoPacific’s survey. “This is an amazing win for Suzuki,” said Peterson, “The Kizashi is Suzuki’s most important vehicle, and this performance in our research is exceptional.” The truck or SUV with the highest overall satisfaction score is the Lincoln MKT, scoring 94 points above industry average.

At the manufacturer level, multiple top-ranked award winners are: Ford with five wins, General Motors, Honda, Nissan and Toyota with three wins each.

“As we cautiously emerge from this economic crisis, new vehicle buyers are being especially careful, and the data we’ve analyzed for the Vehicle Satisfaction Award will help this year’s customers make wise purchase decisions,” says Peterson.

Top 2010 model year performers are:

HIGHEST SATISFACTION PREMIUM BRAND: Cadillac

HIGHEST SATISFACTION POPULAR BRAND: Buick

PASSENGER CARS:
Premium Luxury Car Lexus LS
Aspirational Luxury Car Hyundai Genesis
Luxury Mid-Size Car Nissan Maxima
Large Car Ford Taurus
Premium Mid-Size Car Honda Accord
Mid-Size Car Suzuki Kizashi
Premium Compact Car Volkswagen GTI
Compact Car Nissan Cube
Economy Car Honda Fit
Sports Car Porsche 911
Sporty Car Chevrolet Camaro
Hybrid Car Mercury Milan Hybrid

LIGHT TRUCKS:
Heavy Duty Pickup Dodge Ram HD
Large Light Duty Pickup Ford F-150
Compact Pickup Honda Ridgeline
Luxury Sport Utility Cadillac Escalade
Large Sport Utility Ford Expedition
Premium Mid-Size Sport Utility Nissan Pathfinder/Toyota 4Runner
Mid-Size Sport Utility Dodge Nitro
Premium Luxury Crossover Lincoln MKT
Luxury Crossover SUV Lexus RX
Large Crossover SUV GMC Acadia
Premium Mid-Size Crossover SUV Ford Edge
Mid-Size Crossover SUV Ford Escape
Compact Crossover SUV Hyundai Tucson
Minivan Honda Odyssey
Hybrid Truck Lexus RX400h Hybrid

Volkswagen Earns Top Title For the Second Year in a Row

Volkswagen are proud to announce that the Polo has been honored as the 2010 World Car of the Year. With 59 of the top automotive journalists from around the globe judging, the Polo surpassed a total of 29 other nominees. Announced at the New York International Auto Show in New York City’s Jacob Javits Center, the annual World Car of the Year awards recognize the year’s most outstanding vehicles based on merit, value, safety, environmental impact, significance, and emotional appeal.

“We’re honored that the Volkswagen Polo was chosen by this distinguished group of jurors,” said Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG. “After the great triumph of the Golf last year, we are delighted to repeat this success with the new Polo. These automobiles have reaped numerous awards, winning well-nigh every prize the automotive industry has to award. This shows that Volkswagen is on the right track and is offering arguably the best range of products in its history.”

The latest generation of the Volkswagen Polo has quickly become a favorite in the brand’s lineup to drivers and media alike, with its uncluttered, timeless design, and exceptional versatility and efficiency. More than 230,000 customers worldwide have placed orders for the newest version of Volkswagen’s popular subcompact vehicle.

Now in their seventh year, the World Car of the Year awards, have become one of the most credible and significant programs of its kind. The World Car jurors hail from 25 countries, and are appointed by the World Car Steering Committee on the basis of their expertise, experience, credibility, and influence. Each juror drives and evaluates new vehicles on a regular basis as part of his ongoing, full-time professional work, and, collectively with all the jurors, reaches millions of consumers and automotive enthusiasts across the globe.

For more on the 7th annual World Car of the Year awards, please visit www.WCoTY.com.

Kelley Blue Book Presents Multiple Brand Image Awards

Kelley Blue Book announced that Porsche has won three 2010 Brand Image Awards, including Coolest Brand, Best Performance Brand and Best Exterior Design – Luxury Brand. Porsche garnered more awards than any other brand this year.

The 2010 Brand Image Awards are based on consumer data collected by Kelley Blue Book, which surveys more than 12,000 shoppers a year via its Brand Watch Study on kbb.com. The Brand Watch Study analyzes new-vehicle shoppers’ perceptions of brands and the factors that influence their vehicle-purchasing decisions.

“These are very important awards, because they are based on what consumers think about our brand,” said Detlev von Platen, Porsche Cars North America President and CEO. “It’s great to reaffirm that consumers have such a high opinion of Porsche, especially since it comes from Kelley Blue Book — a company consumers really trust for accurate and objective vehicle information.”

Kelley Blue Book’s Brand Image Awards recognize automakers’ outstanding achievements in creating and maintaining brand attributes that capture the attention and enthusiasm of the new-car buying public.

“Performance and cool have forever gone hand in hand, and Porsche’s uncompromising, laser-like focus on driver enjoyment makes its cars distinctly desirable,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book and kbb.com.

“If you believe the marketing credo ‘perception is reality,’ then you cannot help but be encouraged about the prospects of the winners of Kelley Blue Book’s Brand Image Awards,” said Nerad. “The brands included on this elite list have convinced the car-buying public at large of the considerable virtues of their vehicles, and correlates well with success in the crowded automotive marketplace.”

Kelley Blue Book will present the awards to Porsche executives at the New York Auto Show next week, where the German carmaker will reveal its all-new Cayenne lineup and the new Cayenne S Hybrid for the first time in North America.

From Middle of the Pack to Front of the Line

NADAguides announced that the 2011 Hyundai Sonata has received the NADAguides.com “Car of the Month” award for March. The all-new Sonata is the most innovative and fun-to-drive sedan Hyundai has ever built. In its sixth generation, the Sonata delivers style, fuel economy, technology and safety at an affordable price and tops most of the other vehicles in this competitive segment.

“Just when you think the industry is out of good ideas, a car like the 2011 Sonata comes along and knocks you off your feet. From the beautiful design cues to the class-leading MPG and powertrain, the Sonata delivers. Other midsize sedans and entry-level luxury vehicles better watch out because this 2011 Sonata is truly the complete package when it comes to affordable luxury,” said Michael Caudill, NADAguides.com Auto Expert.

Designed right here in the U.S. at the Hyundai Design Center in Irvine, California, the Sonata is nearly as American as Ford, GM or Chrysler. Built at the assembly plant in Montgomery, Alabama, the entry level Sonata comes in three trim options – the GLS, SE and the Limited. The Fluidic Sculpture design gives the Sonata a Teutonic and pronounced look. Bluetooth is standard on all models and touch screen navigation is an option on the SE and Limited. Steering wheel-mounted controls are standard and the SE and Limited both come with proximity key/push start and fun-to-use paddle shifters. Heated seats can also be enjoyed in the Limited model.

The performance features of the Sonata also make the car a standout. With an efficient 2.4L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) 4-cylinder engine, the Sonata produces a class-leading 198 horsepower. With a Dual Over Head Cam (DOHC) 16-valve with Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (DCVVT) motor, the combined MPG increases to 23 in the city and 35 MPG on the freeway (class-leading).

The safety features of the Sonata include Electronic Stability Control and six standard airbags. Hyundai expects the Sonata to receive a 5-Star Crash Rating by NHTSA as the materials used to protect the occupants of the Sonata consist of high-tensile materials and a steel hood inner frame to absorb collisions.

To compete in the ultra competitive segment, the starting price of the GLS is $19,195. The fully loaded Limited with Navigation starts at $27,395. If you enjoy a slightly more aggressive package, the Sonata SE starts at $22,595.

The NADAguides.com “Car of the Month” program is unique from any other review program in the automobile industry and provides consumers with expert commentary and practical information on the cars, trucks and SUVs they are shopping for.

The Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Journey have been awarded Bark Buckle UP’s 2010 Pet Safe Choice Awards at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show. The Pet Safe Choice Award is given to vehicles that best accommodate a variety of pet needs, including ventilation for pets and adaptability of third-party pet-travel gear.

“The 2010 Chrysler Town & Country continues to be the best vehicle to transport people, belongings and their pets with minivan-first second- and third-row fold-in-floor Stow ‘n Go seating, large in-floor covered storage bins, low step-in load floor, power-sliding doors and power liftgate,” said Olivier Francois, President and CEO — Chrysler Brand, Chrysler Group LLC.

Bark Buckle UP evaluated vehicles on a variety of criteria, including accommodation of animals and various kennel sizes, ease of pet access within the vehicle, ease of pet entry and exit, pet-friendly interior surfaces and their ease of clean up.

“Pets are an extension of every family, and the Dodge Journey’s best-in-class seating and storage solutions meet the needs of all family members from kids to pets. With features like the available integrated booster seat that accommodates children comfortably, to in-floor storage that keeps all the pet-essentials organized and easy-to-reach, the Dodge Journey makes every trip better for the entire family,” said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO – Dodge Brand, Chrysler Group LLC.

2010 Chrysler Town & Country

With more than 26 years of unsurpassed leadership in minivan engineering and design, Chrysler Town & Country celebrates its 20th year as the segment’s foremost luxury minivan. The 2010 Chrysler Town & Country continues to hit the mark in minivan innovation and value with more than 65 minivan-first features, a contemporary appearance, two distinct seating and storage systems, Stow ‘n Go® and Swivel ‘n Go®, segment-exclusive SIRIUS Backseat TV and more than 40 available safety features.

Commemorating two decades of minivan luxury and innovation, the special-edition 2010 Chrysler Town & Country Walter P. Chrysler Signature Series features an even more luxurious interior with unique two-tone seating with French-seamed stitching, Macassar Range wood trim and satin finishes on the instrument panel and doors to provide added detail. Additional standard features include the minivan-first Stow ‘n Go seating and storage system, Media Center 430 radio with touchscreen and 30-gigabyte hard drive, minivan-first second- and third-row nine-inch dual-DVD entertainment system, heated first- and second-row seating and LED lighting with ambient halo light ring. Unique seven-spoke 17-inch aluminum wheels with platinum-chromed finish, chromed belt, fascia accents and body-side moldings, roof rack with cross bars and “Walter P. Chrysler Signature Series” front door badging enhance this special-edition Chrysler Town & Country’s exterior appearance.

The 2010 Chrysler Town & Country received the U.S. Government’s Five Star crash test rating in both front and side impact tests. The U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 2010 Chrysler Town & Country LX is $25,995 (including $820 destination).

Dodge Journey

The 2010 Dodge Journey redefines the expanding mid-size crossover segment, offering seven-passenger seating, safety and security, cargo flexibility and great all-weather driving capability. Add in its youthful, sporty look, fun-to-drive dynamics, innovative features and 25-mpg highway fuel-efficiency, and Dodge Journey gives customers the complete value package.

With the simple turn of a lever, Dodge Journey’s available 5+2-passenger-seating system quickly folds the Tilt ‘n Slide(TM) second-row seat cushion upward and slides the entire seat forward, allowing third-row passengers easy in-and-out access. Two available integrated child booster seats, a first in the mid-size crossover segment, quickly pull out from the second-row seat cushion, eliminating the need to transport bulky child seats. Spacious storage bins, including the Flip ‘n Stow(TM) front-passenger seat concealed storage bin, Chill Zone(TM) glove box beverage cooler and second-row dual in-floor storage bins with liners are easy to reach.

In-vehicle technologies include Media Center(TM) 730N with navigation, 30-gigabyte hard drive with voice commands, iPod® Control, Uconnect Phone and real-time traffic monitoring. Rear-seat passengers will enjoy the available rear-seat entertainment system with a nine-inch screen, two wireless headphones and available SIRIUS Backseat TV(TM).

Source: Chrysler Group LLC