Cars with most APEAL

Honda merits four model segment awards -- more than any other vehicle nameplate this year -- according to the JD Power and Associates 2007 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) study released today.

The study, now in its 12th year, measures owner satisfaction with the design, content, layout and performance of their new vehicles. APEAL is designed to complement the JD Power and Associates Initial Quality Study (IQS), which focuses on problems experienced by owners during the first 90 days of ownership. APEAL measures how gratifying a new vehicle is to own and drive.

Honda's four segment-leading models are the Fit (Jazz in Australia), CR-V softroader, half-ton Ridgeline truck and Odyssey peoplemover. the subcompact (light car) Fit model tied with Toyota's Yaris for honours in its class.

BMW and Mercedes-Benz receive three segment awards, while Ford, Nissan and Volkswagen each garner two awards.

BMW models receiving awards include the 3 Series, 6 Series and X5, while Mercedes-Benz earns awards for the E-Class, S-Class and GL-Class.

Ford models earning awards are the Mustang and Edge SUV. Volkswagen receives awards for the Jetta and GTI, while Nissan earns awards for the Altima mid-size sedan and Armada SUV.

The study claims that vehicle manufacturers and dealers are at liberty to offer lower incentives to new-vehicle buyers for vehicles with higher APEAL scores. On average, owners of vehicles with APEAL scores lower than 800, based on a 1000-point scale, report receiving dealer incentives in the US of approximately $2000. For purchasers of models with average APEAL scores higher than 800, the incentive amount can decline by up to 10 per cent.

The upshot is manufacturers will be more inclined to include popular features in the cars they build.

"Offering larger incentives decreases the profitability of vehicles, so it's important for manufacturers to incorporate those 'must-have' features and design elements that will entice buyers, which also reduces the need for large customer cash rebates," said Neal Oddes, director of product research and analysis at JD Power and Associates.

Importantly, the study suggested manufacturers should learn from preceding models to improve quality and customer appeal ratings because APEAL scores tended to be highest for models when first introduced.

The US-market only Nissan Armada full-size SUV ranks highest in its segment for a fourth consecutive year. Several models, including the Ford Mustang, Honda Ridgeline and Honda Odyssey rank highest in their respective segments for a third consecutive year, while the Hyundai Azera (Grandeur in Australia) and Porsche Cayman earn awards for a second consecutive year. The Mustang and Mercedes-Benz E-Class also rank highest in their segments in both the APEAL study and IQS.

Porsche is the highest-ranking nameplate in APEAL for a third consecutive year. The most improved nameplate in the 2007 study is Toyota's 'youth brand' Scion.

The 2007 APEAL Study is based on responses gathered between February and May 2007 from more than 91,000 purchasers and lessees of new 2007 model-year cars and trucks in the US who were surveyed after the first 90 days of ownership.

- with CN Network staff

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