Ask 100 individuals who work in the U.S. automobile industry to name the best company in the business and 95 will say Toyota. I may be one of the other five. I think that I can make a case for American Honda, the U.S. arm of Honda, as the best carmaker. Honda does not get anywhere near the visibility and headlines of Toyota in the U.S., partly because Toyota is on the verge of passing (or already has passed, depending on whom you talk to) General Motors to become the largest automaker on the planet, based on annual sales volume.

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09:51 | Permalink | Comments (0)

A late '60s TV commercial for a brand of slim cigarettes targeted to women consumers touted: "You've Come A Long Way Baby." That same slogan can be used to describe a shift in women's non-luxury vehicle choices. Today, women don't want just sensible, stodgy models. They want to take a step out—whether it's in a sporty compact, a stylish crossover or a sporty midsize car.

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10:51 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Each year, J.D. Power and Associates conducts its Initial Quality Study^SM (IQS) to measure owner-reported problems after 90 days of new-vehicle ownership. The IQS study, first conducted in the United States in 1987, is the firm's most recognized study today. In addition to the U.S. IQS, the firm conducts IQS in other countries, including Japan, South Africa, Malaysia, India, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, and China.

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11:07 | Permalink | Comments (0)

When I purchased my most recent vehicle two years ago—a Ford Escape—I wanted all the convenience, comfort and safety features possible in a non-luxury model. I ended up with the Limited trim level, which included amenities such as heated, leather 6-way power front seats; fold flat rear seats and a sunroof. Safety features that came with my crossover utility vehicle (CUV) included canopy and side-impact air bags, ABS and reverse sensors in the rear bumper. Of course, my real splurge was a higher-end audio and CD changer system with multiple speakers including a subwoofer and Sirius satellite radio. I may have paid too much, but I still love my CUV.

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13:46 | Permalink | Comments (2)

What′s important to women when they select a new vehicle? The answer to this question, as well as responses to more than 100 other questions regarding vehicle styling and performance, can be found in the J.D. Power and Associates 2007 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study. The study provides feedback and real consumer data to measure what new-vehicle buyers, in this case, women buyers, who have owned their vehicle for 90 days have to say about the performance, features and styling of their car, crossover, utility or truck.

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08:08 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Wind noise reduces ownership satisfaction significantly more than other problems in new vehicles, according to data from the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Initial Quality Study^SM (IQS) and 2006 Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout Study^SM (APEAL).

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08:00 | Permalink | Comments (2)

Most new-vehicle shoppers have a pretty strong sense of what they are looking for before they set foot on a dealer's lot. They typically know which brand and type of vehicle they're looking for, along with a preferred color, engine or transmission choice, and which comfort and safety options they want, as well as a certain price range, of course. New-vehicle shoppers are equally discerning when it comes to crossing models off their shopping list and cite a variety of reasons for rejecting certain vehicles.

Continue reading "Price is Still the Biggest Deterrent to New-Vehicle Shoppers" »

07:33 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Wearability continues to be the most important factor in overall original equipment tire satisfaction, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Original Equipment Tire Satisfaction Study,^SM yet it has the lowest satisfaction ratings of any of the five satisfaction factors in the study. The study, which measures owners' satisfaction with the original tires that came equipped on their new vehicles, suggests that manufacturers can benefit the most by improving the wearability of their tires. In addition to wearability, appearance, handling, ride, and traction help determine overall satisfaction. Issues such as poor traction on dry roads and fast tread wear can have a significant impact on owners' overall impressions of a tire brand.

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07:30 | Permalink | Comments (0)

As someone who works in the car business and likes cars, I love this time of year because of all the auto shows. Every year, we all get excited by the concept cars and all-new models that make the headlines at each show. But I also like to check out the less glamorous changes that are often made to existing models - things like new taillights, a revised front spoiler, or new wheels. The problem is that while I notice these "improvements," and obviously the folks at the carmakers also notice them, most consumers probably don't.

Continue reading "New Car Designs: Is a Little Different Any Better?" »

13:19 | Permalink | Comments (0)