Motorists are less delighted with their new vehicles this year, compared to 2007, based on J.D. Power and Associates’ 2008 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study. The study, now in its 13th year, measures owner delight with the design, content, layout and performance of their new vehicles.
APEAL examines how gratifying a new vehicle is to own and drive, based on owner evaluations of 10 measures, encompassing more than 90 vehicle attributes. Over the years, vehicle models achieving high APEAL scores have been shown to benefit from faster sales, reduced need for consumer incentives, and higher margins on each vehicle sold.
"Average prices at the fuel pump have increased by 27 percent in the period between the 2007 and 2008 APEAL studies, creating heightened sensitivity to fuel economy among new-vehicle owners," said David Sargent, vice president of automotive research at J.D. Power and Associates. "Manufacturers that deliver more fuel-efficient vehicles and integrate alternative fuel technology into their designs stand a better chance of delighting their customers and being successful in this rapidly changing marketplace."
Among the 36 ranked nameplates, 20 experience a decline in index scores since 2007, while 15 improve. Domestic brands comprise the eight most-improved nameplates. Buick posts the largest improvement, followed by Chrysler, Ford, Mercury, and Dodge, respectively. A majority of the most-improved models are also from domestic manufacturers, including the redesigned Ford Focus, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chevrolet Malibu.
Honda captures three model segment awards -- more than any other vehicle nameplate this year -- for the Fit (for a second consecutive year), Odyssey (for a fourth consecutive year) and Ridgeline (for a fourth consecutive year). Porsche, Toyota, and Volkswagen each garner two awards.
2008 Nameplate APEAL Ranking
(Based on a 1,000-point scale)
854 Porsche
844 Jaguar
841 BMW
841 Mercedes-Benz
834 Lexus
827 Cadillac
823 Mini
822 Audi
819 Infiniti
818 Land Rover
807 Acura
802 Lincoln
797 Volkswagen
792 SAAB
791 Volvo
778 GMC
778 Hummer
773 Scion
771 Mazda
770 Buick
770 Industry Average
769 Mitsubishi
768 Ford
767 Saturn
764 Honda
763 Nissan
760 Toyota
759 Chrysler
757 Chevrolet
755 Mercury
747 Dodge
747 Hyundai
744 Kia
737 Pontiac
722 Jeep
719 Subaru
719 Suzuki
