Though America’s “love affair with the automobile” may be showing signs of cooling off due to high gas prices, there is no denying that emotional appeal is still a critical factor in the new-car purchase decision. Current gas prices notwithstanding, many Americans still make new-car-purchase decisions on factors other than fuel economy. And although practicality and fuel economy have increased in importance in the vehicle selection process, it doesn’t mean consumers are willing to compromise on performance. Things like exterior design, engine performance, handling, and the quality of the audio system are still the determining factors for many consumers. All of these factors, and more, are measured each year by J.D. Power and Associates in the firm’s Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study. The APEAL study measures owner delight with their vehicle’s design, content, layout and performance following the first 90 days of ownership. This year’s study finds that consumer satisfaction with vehicle performance actually declined slightly compared to last year, primarily due to a decline in satisfaction with fuel economy.
This year’s APEAL study results are based on survey responses from over 81,000 verified owners of 2008 model-year vehicles. Some highlights of this year’s study:
- For a fourth consecutive year, Porsche ranks highest among all nameplates in the APEAL study, its score improving by 5 index points from last year.
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