Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Hyundai Genesis wins inaugural J.D. Power Vehicle Launch Index study]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/22/hyundai-genesis-wins-inaugural-j-d-power-vehicle-launch-index/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/22/hyundai-genesis-wins-inaugural-j-d-power-vehicle-launch-index/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/22/hyundai-genesis-wins-inaugural-j-d-power-vehicle-launch-index/#commentsFiled under: , ,


2009 Hyundai Genesis sedan - Click above for high-res gallery

The metric-meisters over at J.D. Power and Associates have announced that they have added yet another automotive study to their arsenal. This time out, JDP has launched its inaugural Vehicle Launch Index, which seeks to measure how new vehicles perform within their first eight months on the market.

J.D. Power says that its VLI integrates such factors as "turn rate, vehicle revenue, dealer gross profit, incentive spend, credit quality and residual value." In addition, the study also makes use of automaker provided figures on model mix, incentive spend, supply levels, as well as utilizing some of the company's other survey results to add vehicle quality and design elements into the results.

So... which model is tops in meeting this balancing act? The 2009 Hyundai Genesis with a score of 689 (out of 1,000 possible points), beating out Ford's F-150 (673) and Volkswagen's Tiguan (663). For reference, the study ranks the industry's average score as 582. At the other end of the spectrum, vehicles like the Toyota Matrix, Dodge Ram, Pontiac Vibe, and Dodge Journey all scored poorly. Check out the full results in the press release after the jump.


Gallery: Review: 2009 Hyundai Genesis


Photos copyright (C)2009 Michael Harley/ Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: J.D. Power]

Continue reading Hyundai Genesis wins inaugural J.D. Power Vehicle Launch Index study

Hyundai Genesis wins inaugural J.D. Power Vehicle Launch Index study originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Jul 2009 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car qualityCarQualityHyundaiHyundai GenesisHyundaiGenesisJ.D. PowerJ.d.PowerJD POwerJDPJDPowerstudysurveyVehicle qualityVehicleQualityWed, 22 Jul 2009 15:29:00 EST<![CDATA[STUDY: More Americans planning to keep their cars longer... are you? [w/POLL]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/16/study-more-americans-plan-to-keep-their-cars-longer-are-you/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/16/study-more-americans-plan-to-keep-their-cars-longer-are-you/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/16/study-more-americans-plan-to-keep-their-cars-longer-are-you/#commentsFiled under: ,



Automakers looking for a relatively quick turnaround in the auto market probably aren't going to like a new survey from AutoPacific. The annual survey of over 32,000 consumers gauges public interest in new car buying, and the 2009 survey shows that a lot fewer people are looking for a new car these days.

Back in 2005, only 46% of those queried said they were waiting more than four years to buy a new car, and this year that number rose to 59%; a whopping 13% increase. The survey asks if car buyers are looking to buy in six months to a year, one to two years, two to three years, three to four years, or four or more years, and the numbers are down across the board verses last year. A paltry 1.49% of those surveyed said they were looking to buy in the next year, down 1.05% from last year, and 2.12% as compared to 2005. The number of survey participants looking to buy in the next one to two years has been cut in half to only 5.68%, which doesn't bode well for the short-term future of car sales.

These survey numbers could foreshadow more troubles for the auto industry, and AutoPacific president George Peterson sees this as a long-term issue:
"We'll not be seeing the frequent replacement pattern brought about by strong incentives and financing programs that made it easy and financially reasonable over the last decade for consumers to get into a new car frequently. This may also tell us that consumers will be putting a higher priority on vehicles with a reputation for quality and durability that meets not only their short-term needs, but also their long-term expected needs."
As bad as these numbers look, we're guessing that they're more a reflection of the state of the economy than a long-term assessment of the auto industry, although they could also have something to do with improving vehicle reliability and the increasing commonality of longer warranties. Still, AutoPacific's numbers changed drastically from 2008, meaning many that said they would buy a vehicle in a certain time frame only last year have changed their minds a year later. If the economy picks up, we suspect some will change their minds again. If the nation's financial picture remains mired in a depression, though, sales will continue to be slow. Either way, we've got the feeling that the days of 16-17 million annual new car sales in the U.S. are behind us.

Are you planning on keeping your car longer these days? Take our survey (and check out the official press release and chart) after the jump, then drop your fellow reader a line in 'Comments.'

[Source: AutoPacific | Image: George Marks/Getty]

Continue reading STUDY: More Americans planning to keep their cars longer... are you? [w/POLL]

STUDY: More Americans planning to keep their cars longer... are you? [w/POLL] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Jul 2009 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto pacificAutoPacificcar buyingCarBuyingsurveyThu, 16 Jul 2009 12:57:00 EST<![CDATA[STUDY: Toyota and Honda supplier relations suffer while Ford, GM improve]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/26/report-japanese-automakers-supplier-relations-suffer-ford-mak/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/26/report-japanese-automakers-supplier-relations-suffer-ford-mak/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/26/report-japanese-automakers-supplier-relations-suffer-ford-mak/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



In the latest installment of an annual supplier relations survey put together by Planning Perspectives, Honda and Toyota have upheld their top positions in spite of suppliers describing downgrading them to merely "adequate." Still above average in supplier relations rankings (along with Nissan), previously Japan's two largest automakers were ranked "good to very good." Honda is still gets top marks for involving suppliers in product development and for helping suppliers lower costs and increase quality, while Toyota's decline was attributed to "less experienced staff in Toyota's purchasing group for whom the 'Toyota Way' is not yet the way of doing things."

Domestically, the big winner was Ford. All three domestic makers still rank below average in supplier relations, but six years ago, Ford was dead last among the top six carmakers. This year, Ford takes the U.S. crown, with just 19% of surveyed suppliers saying they'd rather not do business with the company (or that they are ambivalent about it). For its part, General Motors has also improved, but Chrysler has, not surprisingly, remained on the bottom: Fully 54% of surveyed suppliers said they would rather not do business with the Pentastar. Thank you for the tip, Leonard!

[Source: Auto News, sub req'd]

STUDY: Toyota and Honda supplier relations suffer while Ford, GM improve originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 May 2009 17:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chryslerfordgmhondanissansuppliersupplierssurveytier-1toyotaTue, 26 May 2009 17:27:00 EST<![CDATA[STUDY: 88% of Americans believe hybrid leadership is crucial to U.S. - Do you? [w/POLL]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/13/study-88-of-americans-believe-hybrid-leadership-is-crucial-to/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/13/study-88-of-americans-believe-hybrid-leadership-is-crucial-to/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/13/study-88-of-americans-believe-hybrid-leadership-is-crucial-to/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



We Americans want hybrid leadership. We want to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Trouble is, most of us aren't willing to pay for it. Johnson Controls surveyed 2309 adults on all matters hybrid, and it found that 84% of Americans believe the government should support the advancement of hybrid technology and fully 88% believe hybrid leadership is crucial to America's future. But the devil is in the details, and few things bring out the worst in people more than money.

The survey asked whether car buyers would expect to pay more, less, or about the same amount as a comparable gasoline-powered vehicle. 23% of the adults surveyed said they were willing to pay more for a hybrid, while 35% would only purchase a car with battery assistance if it cost the same as a comparable non-hybrid. 33% actually think they should pay less for a hybrid than a conventional vehicle. And the other 11%? They wouldn't purchase a hybrid at any price. Click through to the jump for more on the study, the official press release, and the chance to participate in our poll.

[Source: Johnson Controls]

Continue reading STUDY: 88% of Americans believe hybrid leadership is crucial to U.S. - Do you? [w/POLL]

STUDY: 88% of Americans believe hybrid leadership is crucial to U.S. - Do you? [w/POLL] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 May 2009 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>emissionsgas-electricgreen carGreenCarhybridjohnson controlsJohnsonControlspriussurveyWed, 13 May 2009 12:29:00 EST<![CDATA[STUDY: 76% of Americans believe economy can survive without GM]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/02/study-76-of-americans-believe-economy-can-survive-without-gm/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/02/study-76-of-americans-believe-economy-can-survive-without-gm/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/02/study-76-of-americans-believe-economy-can-survive-without-gm/#commentsFiled under: , ,



According to The Detroit Free Press, Rasmussen Reports called 1,000 people and asked them if they believed "the economy could recover without General Motors in business." The results were clear: 76% of respondents said "Yes, it can." The sentiment against any more taxpayer money being used to assist automakers was clear as well: 62% said neither GM nor Chrysler should receive any more loans.

Just as interestingly, the public appears to expect failure from one of the two companies: Fully 59% said that it was "very likely" or "somewhat likely" that GM or Chrysler will go out of business in the next few years.

Yet while the results of this survey are clear, it could be that the first question itself is slightly misleading: The economy could recover without a lot of companies, including AIG and Citibank. After all, you can't really kill an economy as long as there are people left to exchange goods and services, right? The real issue is whether people are prepared and willing to deal with the fallout from such companies going out of business.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

STUDY: 76% of Americans believe economy can survive without GM originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Apr 2009 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>earningsfinancialsgmgm bailoutgm bankruptcygm bridge loanGmBailoutGmBankruptcyGmBridgeLoanpollsurveyThu, 02 Apr 2009 12:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Survey: One in ten Brits have gotten romantic as a result of the car someone drives]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/18/survey-one-in-ten-brits-have-gotten-romantic-as-a-result-of-the/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/18/survey-one-in-ten-brits-have-gotten-romantic-as-a-result-of-the/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/18/survey-one-in-ten-brits-have-gotten-romantic-as-a-result-of-the/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,



Now that another Valentine's Day has passed, we can offer a little advice to those of you who might have avoided Cupid's arrows another year. If you're struggling to find that special someone, maybe you should stop searching on eHarmony and start looking in your garage. A new survey by British insurance specialist Diamond puts some numbers to what we've known all along, namely that people are more attracted to others who drive nice cars. The company polled 3,000 people and 36% admitted that they judge someone's attractiveness based on the car he or she drives. Even more to the point, one in ten admitted they would date someone with a nice car, even if they found the driver unattractive, and 20% said that the more expensive the car, the better looking the driver.

It should come as no surprise that men are more superficial than women from these results, with men twice as likely to date an "ugly" woman because of her car, and 50% admitting the car's price makes the driver more attractive. The makes of cars that bring the most positive reaction are, unsurprisingly, Aston Martin, Ferrari, and Lamborghini, although men chose a Ferrari-driving lady as tops. Unless you're extremely attractive, the report says its best to avoid being seen in a SEAT, Chevrolet, or Skoda, which were the lowest rated brands in the survey. And God forbid your ride is brown, as that hue was voted the least attractive colo(u)r. If you're stuck with a brown SEAT, at least consider painting it black, the sexiest color on the list. Maybe by next Valentine's Day, you'll be lucky enough to be James Bond in a black DBS, or Christie Brinkley in a red 308.

[Source: Easier.com]

Survey: One in ten Brits have gotten romantic as a result of the car someone drives originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Feb 2009 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>attractivenessbest looking carBestLookingCardriver attractivenessDriverAttractivenessmotoristsexiest carSexiestCarsexy carSexyCarsurveyWed, 18 Feb 2009 09:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Honda tops J.D. Power website usability survey for second straight year]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/26/honda-website-tops-j-d-power-usability-survey/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/26/honda-website-tops-j-d-power-usability-survey/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/26/honda-website-tops-j-d-power-usability-survey/#commentsFiled under: , ,



More and more people are shopping online for their new car or truck, making automaker's websites an increasingly important part of the automotive buying experience. Honda seems to get that, as evidenced by its recent win in a new J.D. Power usability survey. The Power study measures website usefulness during the new-vehicle shopping process. New vehicle shoppers evaluate websites based on appearance, speed, navigation and content.

Honda won the award for the second straight time, thanks in part to improved navigation and continued ease of use. Honda's score of 882 out of 1,000 reflects a 16 point improvement over last summer's ranking, and now the site sits 42 points above Power's industry average. Honda was followed in the top five by Porsche, Mitsubishi, Kia, and Acura. The far less distinctive bottom five includes Jaguar, Pontiac, Audi, SMART, and Scion. Hit the jump to view the complete J.D. Power usability survey.

[Source: J.D. Power]

Continue reading Honda tops J.D. Power website usability survey for second straight year

Honda tops J.D. Power website usability survey for second straight year originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Jan 2009 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hondaJ.D. PowerJ.d.PowerJD PowerJdPowerSurveyWeb designweb developmentWebDesignWebDevelopmentWebsite designwebsite qualitywebsite usabilityWebsiteDesignWebsiteQualityWebsiteUsabilityMon, 26 Jan 2009 19:01:00 EST<![CDATA[When are the most dangerous times to be on the road?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/23/when-are-the-most-dangerous-times-to-be-on-the-road/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/23/when-are-the-most-dangerous-times-to-be-on-the-road/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/23/when-are-the-most-dangerous-times-to-be-on-the-road/#commentsFiled under:



Automobiles have become safer over the years, yet every time you get in a car, you're rolling the Reaper's dice. On average, 110 people die on the road each and every day. While many accident fatalities can be attributed to drinking and driving, not wearing a safety belt or reckless driving, some of the danger is compounded by the time of day people are on the road.

Forbes has compiled a litany of data showing which times are the the least safe to get behind the wheel, and the numbers are startling. For example, the most dangerous time of the day to drive is the afternoon rush hour. Between the hours of 5 and 7 p.m., there are an average of 6.6 deaths per hour in the US. While the afternoon wins on volume, the most dangerous time per driver on the road is between midnight and 4 a.m. According to the publication's findings, 5.87 people per 100 million on the road at this time never make it home. 36% of night time fatal accidents involve drunken driving, as opposed to 9% during daylight hours. Of the people killed on the road after midnight, 71% were found to not be wearing a safety belt, verses 55% during the day.

The study also took into account the top days to die in an auto accident. Despite a diminished rush hour, Saturday is the deadliest day of the week, with 158 fatalities per day. The most deadly month? August. Worst day of the year to be on the road? The Fourth of July, by far. And if you are making travel plans for the Thanksgiving weekend, take a plane. It's the most dangerous holiday weekend to be on the road. Hit the read link below to view the Forbes story in its entirety. It won't make you want to swear off driving, but it may make you think twice about when you drive.

[Source: Forbes]

When are the most dangerous times to be on the road? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Jan 2009 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accidentdrunken drivingDrunkenDrivingfatal accidentsFatalAccidentsforbes magazineForbesMagazinefourth of julyFourthOfJulymotor safetyMotorSafetysafetystudysurveyThanksgiving weekendThanksgivingWeekendtraffic safetytraffic studyTrafficSafetyTrafficStudyFri, 23 Jan 2009 18:58:00 EST<![CDATA[JD Power: Honda leads industry in customer retention]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/11/jd-power-honda-leads-industry-in-customer-retention/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/11/jd-power-honda-leads-industry-in-customer-retention/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/11/jd-power-honda-leads-industry-in-customer-retention/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click the image above to see J.D. Power and Associates Customer Retention Study

Honda has taken the top spot away from Toyota in the latest "Customer Retention Study" from J.D. Power and Associates. The global marketing information firm surveyed 147,238 buyers/lessees to determine how likely they were to replace their previously new vehicle with another from the same brand. Honda, for the first time, led the pack with a retention ranking of 64.7%, followed by Toyota (63.2%) and Lexus (60.4%). Mercedes-Benz (58.6%) barely edged BMW (58.5%) for the fourth position. The Germans are being chased by Ford (52.5%) and Chevrolet (52.0%). At the bottom of the list was Jaguar, struggling to retain just 26.2% of its customers (if you are a Jaguar salesman, there is apparently no need to send holiday cards this year).

While JDPA sites Honda's reputation for building safe vehicles with high resale values as instrumental in landing the headline position, they also note that fuel economy, ownership/maintenance costs, and deals/incentives play an increasingly larger role in the process. The firm projects 2009 new vehicle sales will plummet to below 12 million units in 2009, making customer retention more important now than ever before. Check out all of the rankings in the chart after the jump.

[Source: J.D. Power and Associates]

Continue reading JD Power: Honda leads industry in customer retention

JD Power: Honda leads industry in customer retention originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Dec 2008 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Customer Retention StudyCustomerRetentionStudyj.d. powerj.d. power and associatesJ.d.PowerJ.d.PowerAndAssociatesJDPASurveyThu, 11 Dec 2008 12:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Jaguar tops JD Power customer sales satisfaction survey]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/20/jaguar-tops-jd-power-customer-sales-satisfaction-survey/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/20/jaguar-tops-jd-power-customer-sales-satisfaction-survey/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/20/jaguar-tops-jd-power-customer-sales-satisfaction-survey/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The results are in from J.D. Power and Associates' latest annual Sales Satisfaction Index Study, and Jaguar has leapt back up to the top position that it occupied for three of the four past years before dropping last year to third. The study surveyed some 36,000 buyers and leasers of new cars on their dealership experience, taking into account the dealership's facility, the individual salesperson, the paperwork and finance process, vehicle delivery process and price as criteria for their overall satisfaction. Jaguar dealers scored particularly high in the delivery, paperwork and price categories by properly explaining their vehicle's features, delivering the vehicles in excellent condition and offering good value compared to its competitors.

Not surprisingly, premium brands scored highest on the list, with HUMMER, Lexus, Cadillac and Mercedes joining Jaguar in the top five. More surprisingly, however, is that Asian brands scored particularly low in the study. Along with Chrysler LLC brands Dodge and Jeep, Mazda, Nissan and Mitsubishi were among the bottom five, with Honda, Toyota, Scion, Subaru, Suzuki and Hyundai also coming in below the industry average. Overall, however, overall customer satisfaction in the dealership experience rose again this year, indicating a concerted effort by automakers to make their customers happy right out of the gate. As well they should be, as JD Power reports that customers faced with an unsatisfactory sales experience are three times less likely to service their new car at the dealership where it was purchased and are likely to dissuade an average of six people from buying their new car there. For more details, check out the press release after the jump.

[Source: J.D. Power and Associates]

Continue reading Jaguar tops JD Power customer sales satisfaction survey

Jaguar tops JD Power customer sales satisfaction survey originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>customer satisfactionCustomerSatisfactionj.d. power and associatesJ.d.PowerAndAssociatesjaguarjaguar jd powerJaguarJdPowerjd powerJdPowersales satisfactionSalesSatisfactionsatisfactionsurveyThu, 20 Nov 2008 16:18:00 EST<![CDATA[How do you plan to spend you tax rebate? Enthusiasts already know.]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/16/how-do-you-plan-to-spend-you-tax-rebate-enthusiasts-already-kno/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/16/how-do-you-plan-to-spend-you-tax-rebate-enthusiasts-already-kno/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/16/how-do-you-plan-to-spend-you-tax-rebate-enthusiasts-already-kno/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The team over at SEMA, you know them as the group that supplies the automotive industry with aftermarket performance and cosmetic accessories, have asked more than 1,000 automotive enthusiasts how they intend to spend their federal tax rebate checks. Of course, we know what SEMA wants the answer to be...

Interestingly enough, most surveyed (21%) said they would use the money to pay down credit cards. Another large chunk (20%) said they'd bank the cash for now. Of those who said they'd spend the money on specialty automotive equipment, most intend to buy wheels, exhaust kits, cold air intakes, and engine performance accessories. From survey results, SEMA was able to determine most enthusiasts have altered, and delayed, buying specialty equipment due to the high cost of fuel. In fact, some of the hottest aftermarket performance parts right now are specifically designed to enhance fuel economy. We think you just found an excuse for that new CAI. Check out the press release after the jump.

[Source: SEMA]

Continue reading How do you plan to spend you tax rebate? Enthusiasts already know.

How do you plan to spend you tax rebate? Enthusiasts already know. originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 May 2008 17:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AftermarketFederalRebateSEMASpecialty AftermarketSpecialtyAftermarketSurveytax rebate checksTaxRebateChecksFri, 16 May 2008 17:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Infiniti G35's sat-nav ranks top among users]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/05/infiniti-g35s-sat-nav-ranks-top-among-users/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/05/infiniti-g35s-sat-nav-ranks-top-among-users/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/05/infiniti-g35s-sat-nav-ranks-top-among-users/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

J.D. Power and Associates has polled owners of factory-nav equipped vehicles, and Infiniti's zippy-performing setup gets the nod for top honors from end users. Part of the win might be chalked up to the hard drive that the Infiniti system comes with, making it more responsive than a DVD based navigation system. Infiniti owners also tend to be more tech savvy than owners of other navigation-equipped vehicles, further contributing to the win. The study's results show that even after coming up with a few extra thousand dollars to get the fancy LCD in the dash, most drivers hardly scratch the surface of what the systems can do for them. Apparently, watching a little triangle follow an animated route is all many owners ever use their nav systems for, preferring to be even more helpless and use live operators to talk them in.

Ignorance leads to negative comments about maps that are out of date (easily rectified via updates), while actual technology gets in the way when it comes to wonky voice activation and real time traffic updates that have limited coverage in some areas. Despite the complaints, most owners declined to go back to the dealer for any kind of solution. Some owners apparently purchase navigation systems because they like the fancy cachet, while others actually use the systems. Those that use their nav more than twice a week tended to be more satisfied, pretty much proving that navigation systems are complex and take time to learn how to fully utilize before they're more than an expensive electronic bauble. Having used the Infiniti navigation system, we can say that it is among the best when it comes to ease of use and accuracy, but unfortunately, we're not junketing enough to far flung locales to actually need it.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Infiniti G35's sat-nav ranks top among users originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Nov 2007 11:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bestg35infinitiinfiniti g35InfinitiG35jd powerJdPowernavigation systemNavigationSystemsurveyMon, 05 Nov 2007 11:33:00 EST<![CDATA[VW and Volvo tops with certified used vehicles]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/28/vw-and-volvo-tops-with-certified-used-vehicles/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/28/vw-and-volvo-tops-with-certified-used-vehicles/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/28/vw-and-volvo-tops-with-certified-used-vehicles/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Looking to replace your rusted out Zastava? Buying brand new is a hard pill to swallow when you start to run the numbers. Given the durability of modern powertrains, pretty much any car will make it to 150,000 miles without so much as a whimper, provided you maintain it. Taking that longevity into account, buying used, *ahem* pre-owned, is a great way to stretch what you can get for your budget. We're all aware of the cracks about used car salesmen being shifty-eyed greaseballs upholstered in horrid plaid sportcoats. We've met a few of those, but the current fashion for pre-loved cars is factory-backed programs that pluck the plums from the rotten apples, gives them a thorough once-over and placing them just across the lot from the brand new ones.

Among all of the certified used vehicle initiatives, Volkswagen and Volvo come out on top, according to Intellichoice.com. This is the fourth year in a row that Volkswagen has been ranked the best in the non-luxury category. Volvo beat out last year's winner, Cadillac, on the strength of its compliance program. Intellichoice ranks the programs based on the warranty length, rigor of the inspections, roadside assistance, and return and exchange policies, as well as how well the standards of the programs are actually enforced. Among the top finishers are previous toppers Cadillac and Jaguar, along with MINI and Hyundai. Hyundai went from the bottom of the list last year to a third place finish by changing financing deals and applying it's crushingly good 10 year warranty to used vehicles, as well. Among those aforementioned brands, we think you'll be able to find something you'll like almost as much as that Zastava.

[Source: Auto News - sub req]

VW and Volvo tops with certified used vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 28 Oct 2007 14:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>intellichoicenumber oneNumberOnepre ownedPreOwnedrankingsurveyusedvolkswagenvolvovwSun, 28 Oct 2007 14:06:00 EST<![CDATA[These kids today: college students think Volvo is German and Land Rover is American...]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/27/these-kids-today-college-students-think-volvo-is-german-and-lan/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/27/these-kids-today-college-students-think-volvo-is-german-and-lan/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/27/these-kids-today-college-students-think-volvo-is-german-and-lan/#commentsFiled under:

Do you know where babies cars come from? Anderson Analytics took a survey of 1,000 college students from more than 375 universities and discovered that many of them don't. A third of the respondents thought Lexus was American. More than half of them thought Hyundai was Japanese, and at the same time, two-thirds of them think Korean products are no good. Almost half thought Volvo and Saab were German, and more than half thought Land Rover is American. Which, technically, it is, but probably not in the way they meant it.

The survey, carried out last summer, was actually a study of country-of-origin on brand perception. Carmakers weren't the only ones to suffer from "They don't make that here?" syndrome. Almost no one knew that Nokia is Finnish, and almost everyone thought that Motorola's Japanese. But country origin doesn't have the same effect on brand perception for cell phones that it does on cars. However, how important can it be to make sure people know your car is Swedish if those people can't point Sweden out on a map? Just make sure they don't think it's Korean.

[Source: Carscoop]

These kids today: college students think Volvo is German and Land Rover is American... originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 27 May 2007 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>analyticsandersonbrandcollegesurveySun, 27 May 2007 10:57:00 EST<![CDATA[New Ford study is evidence of improving quality]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/18/new-ford-study-is-evidence-of-improving-quality/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/18/new-ford-study-is-evidence-of-improving-quality/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/18/new-ford-study-is-evidence-of-improving-quality/#commentsFiled under: ,

Many of us in the know, i.e. auto enthusiasts, are well aware that our domestic automakers have made significant strides in improving the quality of the cars and trucks they sell. We also know that it's been extremely difficult to shake their reputation of shoddy quality that may have been deserved in the past, but is becoming less so by the day.

Ford revealed today that it has taken steps to provide some objective data to support improvements in quality that are beginning to pay off. In conjunction with RDA Group, a market research firm based in Bloomfield Hills, Ford has released details of the Global Quality Research System (GQRS) report, a survey of 31,000 new vehicle owners. The survey focused on 2007 model year cars and trucks and asked participants to list any problems experienced within the first 90 days of ownership.

Normally we would question a study about vehicle quality that was associated with a particular automaker, as there are some pretty clear conflicts of interest that could taint the results. However, the results of this study appear not to favor Ford in particular, as Honda was found to be the best brand when it comes to new car quality, earning a TGW score of 1313 "things gone wrong" per 1,000 vehicles. Ford's TGW score of 1,456, which includes both Lincoln and Mercury vehicles, placed it in a virtual three-way tie for second place with Toyota (1,453) and Nissan (1,456). The victory is a bit more significant for Ford than Toyota or Nissan since it represents an 8% improvement for the domestic manufacturer over last year, which is well ahead of the industry's average improvement of 2%.

After the jump you'll find out how some individual models scored on the survey.

Thanks for the tip, Scott!

[Source: Ford, Detroit News]

Continue reading New Ford study is evidence of improving quality

New Ford study is evidence of improving quality originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Apr 2007 16:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fordmercury milanMercuryMilanqualitysurveyTGWthings gone wrongThingsGoneWrongWed, 18 Apr 2007 16:08:00 EST<![CDATA[Aw Snap! Poll reveals most Germans want speed limit on Autobahn]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/16/aw-snap-poll-reveals-most-germans-want-speed-limit-on-autobahn/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/16/aw-snap-poll-reveals-most-germans-want-speed-limit-on-autobahn/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/16/aw-snap-poll-reveals-most-germans-want-speed-limit-on-autobahn/#commentsFiled under:



Three days ago we scoffed at an EU official's suggestion that a speed limit should be applied to the remaining sections of Germany's famous Autobahn that remain free to speed. While reports indicated that speed-loving Germans were up in arms over the idea, a recent poll shows that two in three believe a speed limit should be instituted. Whaa? Conducted by ZDF television, the poll showed that 54% of those surveyed favor an 80 mph speed limit, while 10% would like a limit even lower. There were still around 35% of the respondents, which would thankfully include German Transport Minister Wolfgang Tiefensee if he were polled, who don't want a speed limit at all.

The controversy over speed limits on the Autobahn stems from suggestions that an over excited right foot leads to lots of wasted energy, which obviously ain't too good for the environment. Interestingly, the survey also showed that 56% of those polled think flights should be taxed more because of their negative impact on the environment. Yeah, that's right! Cap our cars, we'll tax your planes!

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Aw Snap! Poll reveals most Germans want speed limit on Autobahn originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Mar 2007 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autobahnEUEuropean UnionEuropeanUnionpollspeed limitspeed limitsSpeedLimitSpeedLimitssurveyFri, 16 Mar 2007 15:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Survey says autos experience gender bender as they age]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/20/survey-says-autos-experience-gender-bender-as-they-age/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/20/survey-says-autos-experience-gender-bender-as-they-age/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/20/survey-says-autos-experience-gender-bender-as-they-age/#comments

A new survey released in England reveals that a car's gender changes as it ages. 500 people surveyed by the Bosche Car Service network indicate that when a car is new it's more likely to be seen as a woman, but as the age of one's wheels increases it drops an X- and picks up a Y-chromosome to become male. The reasoning behind the way a vehicle is viewed based on its age actually makes a lot of sense. The author of the report, Jan Walsh, says that, "...when a car is at its newest, sexiest and looking its best, owners relate it to being female. It's like a woman who's spent time on herself to look good and is out on the street attracting attention. As the car gets older we consider a car to be male - it's reliable, solid and gets the job done, much like your dad or granddad." The survey also found that men are likely to see their cars as male, and likewise for women who generally see their whips as female.

You can check out the actual survey results that led to these conclusions by following the Read link below. We did, and considering the relatively small pool of 500 people surveyed, we have to question if these results show a statistically significant change in the way a car is viewed over time or merely encompass a few anomalies that skewed the findings. Then we have to question if we care either way, since it's just a fun survey that outs our cars as transsexuals.

[Source: Newspress.co.uk]

Survey says autos experience gender bender as they age originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Nov 2006 19:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boschebosche service networkBoscheServiceNetworkgender benderGenderBendersurveytranssexualsMon, 20 Nov 2006 19:24:00 EST<![CDATA[Mercedes-Benz miffed at performance in Consumer Reports Reliability Survey]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/20/mercedes-benz-miffed-at-performance-in-consumer-reports-reliabil/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/20/mercedes-benz-miffed-at-performance-in-consumer-reports-reliabil/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/20/mercedes-benz-miffed-at-performance-in-consumer-reports-reliabil/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



In the recently released 2006 Annual Car Reliability Survey by Consumer Reports, seven models from Mercedes-Benz were rated as Least Reliable. The last generation S-Class, CLS, E-Class, SL, CLK, V6 SLK and the M-Class SUV were all ranked least reliable based on the Consumer Reports survey comprised of responses from 1.3 million of the magazine's subscribers. A Mercedes spokesperson blames the brand's poor performance on a couple of issues that include brake dust on high performance stoppers (that's part of the charm!) and problems with the company's new 7-speed transmission that have reportedly been fixed. Mercedes-Benz has certainly had quality issues the past several years that can't be denied, which may in part be blamed on its insistence of imbuing its lineup with the latest whiz-bang gadgetry that ups the complication factor exponentially. Still, many fault Consumer Reports for using an outdated and flawed survey method that doesn't accurately report the reliability of the vehicles that appear on and off its lists. Michael Karesh, a vocal Autoblog commenter and purveyor of a Consumer Reports alternative site called True Delta, has written several articles that address the most serious problems with the way Consumer Reports conducts its surveys. Despite one's opinion on the validity of what Consumer Reports reports, there's no denying the fact that the periodical holds serious sway with consumers. It's no wonder Mercedes is so miffed at the rankings it received at the hands of Consumer Reports subscribers, though the German automaker needs to recognize the part its own vehicles played in these standings.

[Source: Money.cnn.com]

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Mercedes-Benz miffed at performance in Consumer Reports Reliability Survey originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Nov 2006 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>consumer reportsConsumerReportsmercedes-benzreliabilitysurveysurveystrue deltaTrueDeltaMon, 20 Nov 2006 18:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Brits "Frankenstein" their way to the Porsche Panamera]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/02/brits-frankenstein-their-way-to-the-porsche-panamera/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/02/brits-frankenstein-their-way-to-the-porsche-panamera/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/02/brits-frankenstein-their-way-to-the-porsche-panamera/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

A camel, they say, is a horse designed by committee. This is a car designed by survey, incorporating what Brits say they would like most in a car. British car buying site New Car Net conducted the study, having visitors pick which features they liked best. After the results were tabulated, their art department produced this very convincing rendering that looks to us like a good preview of the upcoming Porsche Panamera four-door coupe.

Respondents chose the front end of the Porsche Boxster with the roofline of the Jaguar XK8, favoring four doors in a coupe-like body as is increasingly becoming the fashion, led by the Mercedes CLS and soon to be followed by the Porsche and Aston Martin Rapide.

Those participating didn't opt for the most powerful engines, preferring something with more reasonable fuel economy, and, interestingly, nearly half the respondents conveyed their preference for diesel power. You'd think inside they'd all go for the full range of electric everything, but while they did opt for air-con, electric windows and power steering, things like automatic wipers and heated seats didn't make the cut.

We can't help but wonder how the results would have turned out if the survey were carried out in the US.

[Source: New Car Net]

Brits "Frankenstein" their way to the Porsche Panamera originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Nov 2006 15:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>britishjaguarpanameraporschesurveyxkThu, 02 Nov 2006 15:18:00 EST<![CDATA[Rolls Royce the car of choice for ultra-rich]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/17/rolls-royce-the-car-of-choice-for-ultra-rich/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/17/rolls-royce-the-car-of-choice-for-ultra-rich/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/17/rolls-royce-the-car-of-choice-for-ultra-rich/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,



Illustrating the fickle nature of the ultra wealthy, a new survey of 500 bona fide rich people conducted by the Luxury Institute reveals that Rolls Royce is the most luxurious brand of 2006, a position that was held by Maybach last year.

"Too many luxury firms are looking to 'Wow' the client with extraordinary, but fleeting, gimmicks," says Milton Pedraza, CEO of the Luxury Institute, who performed the survey. "First and foremost, the wealthy want these firms to simply execute the fundamentals of each customer experience extraordinarily well. Consumers have spoken and Rolls Royce is the ultra-luxury brand they recommend to their peers most often."

Brands in the survey included Aston Martin, Bentley, BMW, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Maybach, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and Rolls Royce. The participants, who were required to have a gross annual income of at least $200,000 and a net worth of $5,000,000, said only Rolls consistently provided superior quality, reputation, and service. Only in social status did Maybach beat Rolls Royce.

Of course, what's the point of ranking these brands when you can afford to buy one of each?

[Source: Luxury Institute via The Auto Channel]

Rolls Royce the car of choice for ultra-rich originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Jul 2006 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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