Blue Book Briefing
April 2010 - Blue Book Briefing
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· INDUSTRY INSIGHTS – Timely commentary from Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com: CAR BUYERS GET IT RIGHT
· LATEST NEWS & BLOGS ON KBB® GREEN – The latest news and blogs posted to KBB Green from the editorial staff of Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com
· LATEST NEWS STORIES ON KBB.COM – The latest video and written news stories by the editorial staff of Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com
· NEW-VEHICLE REVIEWS ON KBB.COM – All-new and updated video and written reviews from the editorial staff of Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com
· Kelley Blue Book: Toyota Residuals Increase Along with Rise in Industry
· Kbb.com: Hyundai Owner Loyalty Speeds Past Honda, Replaces Toyota to Take No. 1 Spot
Car Buyers Get It Right
- Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst, Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com
You can say what you want about the potentially poor decisions of individual car buyers. In the aggregate they generally get it right, and by that, I mean the vehicles that offer the most overall value are also the bestsellers. That premise will be proven yet again by the sales results in March, which will demonstrate that a substantial number of consumers believe that Toyota-brand vehicles, despite the recent bludgeoning the nameplate has taken in the general press, offer excellent value. Of course, that value story has been enhanced by a round of incentives like we have never seen on Toyotas, but I would submit that the chance to get a zero-percent financing deal would not trump the safety of one’s family if consumers truly believed there was a credible threat to that safety.
Again, despite the hysteria fueled by inflammatory press reports, it seems consumers have gotten it right. They apparently have realized that there is far more smoke than fire in the reports of mechanical and electronic gremlins bedeviling Toyotas, and with compelling offers staring them in the face from a brand that is famous for being reticent about using incentives, they have jumped off the couch to buy Toyota vehicles. As this is being written, it looks as if Toyota’s retail market share for March could approach 20 percent, which would out-score its share in January, before the bulk of the unintended acceleration crisis was splattered across the nightly newscasts.
Though it might seem strange to acknowledge it, Toyota actually owes a debt of gratitude to Jim Sikes, the motorist who claimed his Toyota Prius accelerated to speeds of 90 miles per hour against his will and despite his best efforts to get the demon automobile to stop. Toyota officials were able to use the vehicle’s “black box” data recorder and other forensic incident-recreation techniques to demonstrate the speciousness of Sikes’ claims. That case, plus a similar New York case involving another Prius, has apparently stemmed the tide of public sentiment against the brand. Do the two cases prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that none of the cases of alleged unintended acceleration have merit? No, they do not. But the worst of the crisis may well be over.
We at Kelley Blue Book first saw the tide begin to turn when consumer interest in Toyota vehicles on our kbb.com Web site went up substantially in the midst of the darkest publicity surrounding the brand. This was an indication to us that Toyota has built a laudable amount of equity and loyalty among the American car-buying public. With the addition of eye-catching incentives, the momentum continued to build in the Japanese brand’s favor. Our most recent data shows that 45 percent of new-car shoppers are currently considering Toyota. That is not only up from the brand’s nadir; it also is up seven percentage points from its pre-recall-announcement level of consideration in January.
Note that we are not saying that the deluge of negative publicity did not have deleterious effects on Toyota’s brand image. It did. And regaining sales momentum has been very expensive for Toyota. Further, it has ignited a trickle-down effect by spurring competing manufacturers to dive into the incentive game to maintain their market share and volume positions. In short, it has proven very expensive for just about every manufacturer in the industry. But when push came to shove, the general public has been savvier about the situation than the general press, and there’s a lesson in that for all of us.
LATEST NEWS & BLOGS ON KBB GREEN:
Check out the very latest news and blog entries by visiting www.kbb.com/green and clicking on News & Blogs.
The following latest news & blogs by kbb.com’s editorial staff went live on the site or were updated during March 2010.
· BMW Says ActiveE Test Fleet Size Will Match or Exceed MINI E
· BMW to Supply Turbodiesel Engines for Carbon Motors Cop Cars
· Breakthrough Fuel-Injection Technology Promises Huge MPG Gains
· Chrysler Group Confirms Production of Fiat 500EV for the U.S.
· Electric-powered Westfield iRacer to Spawn EV Spec Series in 2011
· GM and SAIC Show New Electric Commuter Concept
· KB Home to Offer Buyers Electric Vehicle Pre-Wiring Option
LATEST NEWS STORIES ON KBB.COM:
Check out the very latest news stories by visiting www.kbb.com and scrolling down to the Latest News & Articles link on the home page.
The following latest news stories by kbb.com’s editorial staff went live on the site or were updated during March 2010.
· 2010 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Video Review
· Aston Martin V8 Vantage Sound Video
· Aston Martin V8 Vantage Design Video
· Buick and GMC Interview Chicago Auto Show
· Cadillac Interview 2010 Chicago Auto Show
· Duramax Diesel Interview Chicago Auto Show
· 2011 Ford Shelby GT500 Auto Show Video
· Ford Transit Connect Taxi Chicago Show
· Honda Odyssey Concept Interview
· Kia Ray Concept Chicago Auto Show
· Scandinavian Flick in a Lancer Evolution
· 2011 Toyota Avalon Chicago Auto Show
Written Stories Posted to kbb.com:
· 2010 Geneva Auto Show: 2011 Audi A1
· 2010 Geneva Auto Show: 2011 Fiat Abarth 500C
· 2010 Geneva Auto Show: 2011 Lexus CT 200h
· 2010 Geneva Auto Show: 2011 Porsche Cayenne
· 2010 Geneva Auto Show: 2011 Volvo S60
· 2010 Geneva Auto Show: 2012 Infiniti M35 Hybrid
· 2010 Geneva Auto Show: 2012 Mercedes-Benz E300 BlueTEC Hybrid
· 2010 Geneva Auto Show: Audi A1 e-tron Concept
· 2010 Geneva Auto Show: Audi A8 Hybrid Concept
· 2010 Geneva Auto Show: BMW Concept 5 Series ActiveHybrid
· 2010 Geneva Auto Show: Ferrari 599 HY-KERS Hybrid Concept
· 2010 Geneva Auto Show: GQbyCitroen Concept
· 2010 Geneva Auto Show: Hispano Suiza V10 Supercharged
· 2010 Geneva Auto Show: Honda 3R-C Concept
· 2010 Geneva Auto Show: I.DE.A Institute Sophia Concept
· 2010 Geneva Auto Show: Kia Venga EV Concept
· 2010 Geneva Auto Show: Koenigsegg Agera
· 2010 Geneva Auto Show: Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera
· 2010 Geneva Auto Show: Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid Concept
· 2010 Geneva Auto Show: MINI Gets Connected
· 2010 Geneva Auto Show: New Porsche, VW, Nissan and More
· 2010 Geneva Auto Show: Porsche 918 Spyder Concept
· 2010 Geneva Auto Show: TAG Heuer Tesla Roadster Concept
· 2010 Geneva Auto Show: Touring Bentley Continental Flying Star
· 2010 New York Auto Show: 2011 Kia Sorento SX
· 2010 New York Auto Show: 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX
· 2011 Ford Mustang First Production Car with 300+ HP and 30+ MPG
· 2011 Ford Mustang GT Earns Class-Leading EPA Numbers
· 2011 Nissan GT-R Says 'Sayonara' to Base Model
· A Closer Look: 2011 McLaren MP4-12C
· Akio Toyoda and Yoshimi Inaba Address Congressional Committee
· BMW Confirms a Front-Drive Future for its Small Cars
· Chevy Volt and Toyota Prius Top EV Shoppers Awareness List
· Chrysler Kicks Off New Pentastar V6 Engine Production
· Continuing Coverage: Kelley Blue Book Experts Weigh In on Toyota
· Continuing Coverage: Toyota Recall and Sales Freeze
· Driving School: The Scandinavian Flick in 5 Steps (w/video)
· Eye Candy: 2010 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Design Video
· Ferrari 458 Italia Will Star in Transformers 3
· First Look: 2010 Infiniti G37 Anniversary Editions
· First Look: 2010 Lexus IS 350C F-Sport Special Edition
· First Look: 2011 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Carbon Limited Edition
· First Look: 2011 GMC Sierra Denali HD
· First Look: 2011 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG
· First Look: 2012 Ford Police Interceptor
· First Look: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3
· Ford Betting Mustang V6 Can Go 1000 Laps on One Tank of Gas
· General Motors Takes a Head-up Look at Tomorrow
· Group Lotus and Cosworth Enter Strategic Partnership
· Hummer Bummer: Deal with Tengzhong Dies, GM Will Terminate the Brand
· Incentives Will be the Key to Unlocking Future EV Sales
· Kbb.com Shoppers Name Top Car Brands from Coolest to Comfiest
· New Four-Passenger F430 Spider -- Only at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
· New NHTSA Study Finds U.S. Highway Deaths Lowest Since 1954
· Over 40 Percent of Car Buyers Would Consider an Alternative Fuel Car
· Senate Opens Hearings on Toyota
· Toyota Calls Artificial Electronic Throttle Tests 'Unrealistic'
· Visual Audio: Sounds of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage
· Wide Open: Aston Martin V8 Vantage Video
NEW-VEHICLE REVIEWS ON KBB.COM - WRITTEN:
The following new-vehicle reviews written by kbb.com’s editorial staff went live on the site or were updated during March 2010. To see any new-vehicle review from kbb.com’s editorial staff, please visit www.kbb.com and click on the News and Reviews tab, then select the make and model.
The ES 350 does an admirable job of defining the term "affordable luxury" as it applies to a premium mid-size sedan. Offering a sophisticated driving environment, innovative design features, impressive build quality and well-proven Lexus dependability, its appeal remains strong to buyers seeking their own slice of the automotive good life…
Visually reminiscent of the larger GS, the IS melds sporty looks, enthusiast flair, a generous roster of standard equipment and legendary Lexus quality into a premium four-door sedan specifically intended to steal buyers away from the gold standard of this segment, the BMW 3 Series. Sporty handling, an engaging personality and multiple powertrain and packaging configurations make the 2010 Lexus IS well worth considering by anyone who believes that small is beautiful and that a car is much more than a mere transportation appliance…
Recalibrate your image of Lexus. The 416-horsepower 2010 Lexus IS F, the fastest production Lexus ever, is the first Lexus to wear the brand's F performance badge designed to compete with the BMW M series, Mercedes-AMG and various aftermarket tuners. Coupled to the Lexus IS F's 5.0-liter V8 is an automatic transmission that upshifts in a race-car-like 0.1 second. You'll love the IS F if you want to know (kind of) what it feels like to drive a race car and you don't mind spending time in traffic court. A better, safer and definitely wiser option: Explore the IS F's lofty limits at a car-club event at a race track…
Toyota set the pace for hybrids, starting with the Prius. Lexus, its luxury division, has matched hybrid powertrains with bigger vehicles, delivering impressive performance along with reasonable economy. For 2010, Lexus again offers a hybrid version of its largest sedan. Similar to the extended-length version of the LS 460 sedan, the LS 600h L promises the performance of a luxury V12 model but with the economy of a "best-in-class" V8. Technology lovers may fall hard for the 2010 Lexus LS 600h L, which has just about every electronic helper imaginable, either standard or as an option. Folks with fat wallets who value smooth and effortless driving, but prefer their luxuries accompanied by a taste of environmental friendliness, may lean toward this big sedan…
Based on Mercedes-Benz' least expensive model, the C-Class, the 2010 C63 AMG represents the most accessibly priced AMG-tuned vehicle available. Despite its "affordability," the C63 AMG offers all the performance one would expect of a vehicle bearing the AMG name. You'll like the 2010 C63 AMG if you want an eminently capable sports sedan but also appreciate the luxury and refinement associated with the Mercedes brand. Fans of performance cars who can't justify an impractical coupe will find a more civilized, livable driving experience with the C63 AMG…
For many, the Mercedes-Benz name represents the pinnacle of automotive design and good taste. Mercedes-Benz' most affordable offering, the 2010 C-Class, comes loaded with style and content. If you desire a reasonably-priced premium luxury car guaranteed to impress the neighbors, but still require a functioning sedan for clients and family, the C-Class has you covered…
Perhaps perfection has its limits, but Mercedes-Benz believes differently and proves it with the latest iteration of its flagship four-seat coupe, the 2010 CL550. Along with the cachet that comes with driving this $100,00-plus automobile is the acknowledgement that its fluid, flowing lines are accompanied by superb V8 performance and one of the most dazzling arrays of hi-tech equipment ever packed into a single vehicle…
To most consumers, touting its four-door masterpiece as a "coupe" makes little sense, but one cannot argue with the sheer beauty that is the 2010 Mercedes-Benz CLS. With its stunningly sleek profile and lavish four-passenger interior, the CLS is clearly not your run-of-the-mill luxury sedan; it's a car equally adept at satisfying both the driver's senses and ego. For the well-to-do who seek a vehicle as dynamic as it is expensive, the Mercedes-Benz CLS ranks among a select few that can truly be called "exclusive." If you're a fan of the brand but find the three-pointed emblem has become somewhat commonplace in your neighborhood, the 2010 Mercedes-Benz CLS will let you drive a mostly practical Mercedes-Benz sedan while still making a fashion statement…
The 2010 Mercedes-Benz M-Class SUV is a far cry from the original model. Whereas the first M-Class featured body-on-frame construction, today's ML employs a unit-body design. This creates a stiffer chassis, which helps eliminate rattles and vibration as well as quiets the interior. The design also allows for a more sophisticated suspension, yielding better handling and a more civilized ride. If you're seriously shopping in the upscale SUV category and are drawn to the Lexus RX 350 and/or the BMW X5, you may very well find your new home away from home behind the wheel of the 2010 Mercedes-Benz M-Class…
The 2010 Mitsubishi Eclipse Coupe, now entering its fifth year in this current configuration, continues to have a steady rise in sales. One reason for this is obvious: The Eclipse's curvaceous good looks, reasonable price tag and impressive performance and handling make it a highly desirable choice. A bit less obvious, but still a factor, is that, currently, the only other front-wheel-drive, two-door hatchbacks offering similar performance and value are the Volkswagen GTI, Volvo C30 and MINI Cooper S, none of which can come close to matching the Eclipse's 265 horsepower. You'll like the 2010 Mitsubishi Eclipse Coupe if you are looking for an affordable, sporty-styled, modern-looking two-door that offers a substantial level of fun-to-drive performance in a moderately-priced front-wheel-drive vehicle…
2010 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder
Based on the fourth-generation Eclipse Coupe, the Eclipse Spyder is available as the four-cylinder GS or V6 GT, and features as standard a premium audio system and a power cloth top that tucks away under a flush tonneau in about 19 seconds. This would be a good choice if you want a well-equipped, reasonably priced open-air sportster with look-at-me styling, moderate-to-good performance and token rear seats. Compared to its closest competitors, Ford's iconic Mustang and Chrysler's roomy Sebring Convertible, it's less common than the former and less pricey than the latter…
The 2010 Nissan Altima Hybrid delivers an appealing combination of midsize sedan interior roominess with hybrid fuel efficiency, plus the athletic responses and braking performance that distinguish the Altima among its contemporaries…
After a successful redesign in 2007, the 2010 Nissan Altima gets a slight freshening for 2010, helping it remain current in a sea of ever-toughing competition. The Altima's breadth of powertrain and packaging choices opens the door for lots of comparatively affordable variations on the theme that can meet and exceed the needs of all manner of mid-size sedan buyers – whether they're seeking basic transportation or want something with a more sporting character…
The Altima has become a real bread-and-butter vehicle for Nissan, so, when product planners looked for ways to expand the model line-up, they looked to the popular sedan for inspiration. With the hood the only shared body panel, the affordable Altima Coupe manages to look unmistakably Altima from the front and yet undeniably sporty-two-door from every other angle. With two doors and a much sportier attitude than the sedan, the 2010 Altima Coupe is a boldly-styled vehicle for those who want to get noticed. The reasonable price certainly doesn't hurt, either…
Despite a starting price under $15,000, the Cube offers a host of advanced safety features (it's a top safety pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety), a roomy five-passenger interior, an impressive standard equipment list and a bevy of high-end options and accessories. Maybe the most striking aspect of the Nissan Cube is its design. Blocky car design is nothing new, but risky features like an asymmetrical rear end, modern iPod-like lines and an intense attention to details help the Cube stand apart from the other slickly-styled economy wagons out there…
Nissan built this front-drive four-door to please both performance and luxury-sedan fans alike, and it scores on both points. Although marginally smaller in size than the previous-generation model, the 2010 Maxima exudes a sporty coupe vibe from the outside while retaining its roominess on the inside. With its aggressive new look and increased power, Nissan is touting this latest incarnation of the Maxima as the return of the "four-door sports car…"
Fresh from its complete makeover last year, the 2010 Nissan Murano joins the crossover utility vehicle market with a sharp new design, an improved powertrain and new standard and optional technological features. If you're looking for a crossover SUV that appears more like a sports car than a utilitarian family hauler, the 2010 Nissan Murano lands at the top of a very short list…
So many automakers have joined the small-crossover party, offering SUV-like vehicles with much more agreeable fuel economy. Nissan has decided to throw its hat into the ring with the sporty and nimble Rogue. The base model is comparatively bare, but the long list of available features, including Bluetooth and all-wheel drive, means that the Rogue can be customized to suit just about any lifestyle. The Rogue stands to compete in a rapidly growing segment, against the likes of the established and successful Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Subaru Forester, Ford Escape and the redesigned Chevrolet Equinox and Hyundai Tucson. With competitors like these and a lack of available V6 or navigation, the Rogue's price, styling and fuel economy may be its best selling points…
This front-drive four-door boasts sophisticated styling, competent ride and handling, excellent fuel efficiency and a long list of standard and available creature comforts – traits that serve it well in dealing with market challenges from the likes of the Chevrolet Cobalt, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Forte, Mazda MAZDA3 and Toyota Corolla. When interior space and serenity really matter, the Sentra delivers in a big way. Those facing long, tortuous commutes will also appreciate the practical charms of its Xtronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). Standard on all but the base 2.0 model, the CVT earns better EPA mileage numbers than the six-speed manual…
2010 Nissan Sentra SE-R/Spec V
Representing the sporting side of the Sentra family, the hot SE-R and hotter SE-R Spec V each boast bigger, more powerful engines, tauter suspensions and lots more attitude than their "normal" Sentra kin. Sharing basic "C" platform front-drive architecture with the core Sentra models, these scintillating sedans each skew towards a slightly different kind of enthusiast. Buyers who demand the convenience of an automatic will find it in the SE-R's Xtronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with sport mode, while the Spec V offers its extra adrenaline rush only with a six-speed manual gearbox. Anyone needing to balance behind-the-wheel fun with more practical considerations will find that the SE-R makes a whole lot of sense. For those desiring a bit bolder playmate, the edgier Spec V maintains a level of overall civility that still allows it to serve admirably as a daily driver…
A compact front-drive two-door that interweaves unique Volvo styling cues with well-proven mechanicals from the S40 and V50 lines, the 2010 C30 is designed to blur the established line between a conventional hatchback and a station wagon. Volvo's most affordable entry is available in two trim levels: The well-appointed T5 and a top-of-the-line T5 R-Design that includes suspension upgrades, more standard features and R-inspired body kit and trim. Although the C30's closest direct competitors are the MINI Cooper and Volkswagen GTI, devotees of trendy personal transport modules might consider this high-profile newcomer as a suitable alternative for vehicles as diverse as the Audi A3, BMW 1 Series or Scion tC. If you're willing to trade off a bit of conventional station wagon utility for a look that will definitely turn heads, the new 2010 Volvo C30's approach to style, comfort and performance could make it a very appealing choice…
The days of the canvas convertible top are fast coming to a close, and cars like the 2010 Volvo C70 are the primary reason. While convertibles such as the Lexus SC 430 and Volkswagen Eos demonstrate the hard-top concept, Volvo has figured out a way to build in added safety features such as reinforced roof rails, pop-up roll bars and door-mounted side-curtain airbags. Unlike many convertibles, the C70 can seat four adults in relative comfort and, while not cheap, it is well within the price range of the average premium convertible buyer. Like to stand out from the luxury car crowd while demonstrating your canny practicality at the same time? The 2010 Volvo C70 coupe-convertible fills that bill very nicely…
The 2010 Volvo S40 is a fantastic way to enjoy the perks of owning a premium-brand automobile without having to pay a premium price. For less than $30,000, customers can pick up an S40 2.4i complete with a frugal yet peppy five-cylinder engine, sporty ride and handling and legendary Volvo safety. For a bit more cash, the S40 T5 R-Design ups the ante with a powerful turbocharged engine, the availability of all-wheel drive and a long list of luxury features…
The S80 typifies the scope of that ongoing effort. The flagship of Volvo's sedan fleet embodies a Swedish approach to style, creature comforts and leading-edge safety features while offering multiple powertrain configurations and solid value pricing. The 2010 lineup includes the front-drive S80 3.2, the turbocharged S80 T6 AWD and the S80 V8 AWD. Buyers who believe that functional luxury and state-of-the-art safety systems outweigh the inherent status appeal of a traditional prestige nameplate can expect to find their transportation and aspirational needs well met by any member of the S80 lineup…
The 2010 Volvo V50 is a compact premium wagon derived from the same chassis as the sporty S40 Sedan. Although not large enough to provide a third-row seat, the V50's enclosed cargo area offers easy access when loading or retrieving items, as well as additional roof space on which to stow gear. With the rear seats folded down, the V50 can carry a fair bit of cargo or make room for the family dog. The V50 is far more fun to drive than a compact SUV, offers the added traction and stability provided by available all-wheel drive and is loaded with the latest Volvo safety and security technologies…
Volvo's XC70 wagon, the descendent of the cult-classic Cross Country Wagon, occupies a big place in a very small field. Rugged wagons capable of off-road ventures are few and far between, and with the Audi allroad long gone, Subaru's Outback becomes the closest rival. Good as it is, the Outback can't match the Volvo's luxurious premium-brand panache, nor can it equal the XC70's long list of standard and optional features. If a crossover SUV is more car than you care for, and you don't require three-row seating, the all-new XC70's artful blend of beauty and brawn (not to mention safety) make it ideal for the active family's lifestyle…
While the cloth-top convertible won't be going away anytime soon (the New Beetle being a perfect example), the recent proliferation of retractable hardtops shows no sign of slowing. Not to be outdone, Volkswagen has taken the trend a step further by integrating a glass sunroof into the top of its latest four-seat convertible, the 2010 Volkswagen Eos. Hardtop advantages include a more finished, more coupe-like look and feel inside and out, while the downside is generally limited to a reduction in cargo volume when the top is stowed. Named after the Greek goddess of dawn, the Eos is helping to usher in a new era of versatile and practical convertibles…
A cut above the generic four-door sedan, the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta borrows mechanical components from the upscale Audi division, provides an exceptionally strong safety rating and a list of standard and optional equipment rarely found in this class. With slightly less rear-seat legroom than the more expensive Passat, the Jetta still provides the kind of "big car" feel you won't find in many of its competitors. If you're looking for a sedan with European ride and handling capabilities, the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta offers German engineering at an attractive price…
2010 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen
While most auto makers have abandoned their station wagon variants, Volkswagen has plunged head-first into the market with its Jetta SportWagen. Given the daily fluctuation in gasoline prices, coupled with a growing consumer desire to move out of big, gas-thirsty SUVs, VW's timing couldn't be better. Beyond its reasonable price and roomy interior, the SportWagen's most appealing lure can be found under the hood, where two frugal engine choices, including a 2.0-liter diesel – reportedly capable of returning better highway mileage than the current EPA estimate – reside…
The 2010 Volkswagen New Beetle remains a popular choice among those seeking a less conventional mode of transportation. Touting a shape based on the original Beetle (popularly known as the "Bug"), the New Beetle's easily recognizable shape results in the most lop-sided interior dimensions of any car in its class. While the sloping hatch creates a nearly unusable rear seat, the arching dome roof provides an unbeatable 38 inches of front headroom, making the New Beetle the friend of the tall and very tall. This is the final year for the New Beetle (at least in this form) and VW is commemorating it with a limited production special edition model offered in just one color: Aquarius Blue. The most significant aspect of the 2010 Volkswagen New Beetle is its familiar and friendly shape but, as a bonus, it is actually quite comfortable as a daily driver as well. Even taller drivers will appreciate the quantity of front-seat headroom…
2010 Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible
The 2010 Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible makes a great looking drop-top and offers the power, safety and comfort that was, obviously, not part of the first-generation Bug. The engine is up front, as are the drive wheels, but with the top retracted the feel from behind the wheel is very much just like old times. Stereotypes aside, the New Beetle convertible is one of the few practical drop tops that can be enjoyed by anyone with a modest budget and a love of fresh air. A word of warning: if you want one you'd better move quick, because VW has announced this will be the final year for the New Beetle Convertible and its replacement is uncertain. If you've been shopping for a fun, affordable convertible that won't be mistaken for a weekend rental, the 2010 Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible deserves a test drive. It possesses a great safety record, has loads of head room with the top up and displays an impressive list of standard features…
In a world dominated by SUVs that might look tough, but cower when led over challenging terrain, the 2010 Volkswagen Touareg is a rarity. It offers highly competent on-road driving dynamics, but when the pavement ends the Touareg also proves to be an extremely capable off-roader. Part of the VW Touareg's appeal lies in the fact that its underpinnings are shared with the much more expensive Porsche Cayenne. For those willing to forgo the exclusivity of the Porsche nameplate, the Touareg represents an opportunity to enjoy a similar driving experience at a lower price point…
Award Winners Named Based on a Year’s Worth of Consumer Perception Data from Brand Watch ™ Study
IRVINE, Calif., March 25, 2010 – Kelley Blue Book www.kbb.com, the leading provider of new- and used-car information, today announces the winners of the 2010 Brand Image Awards. These awards, based on consumer perception data, show which brands best communicated certain features of their vehicles over the past year and highlight factors that influence purchase decisions.
KELLEY BLUE BOOK’S 2010 BRAND IMAGE AWARD WINNERS
Best Comfort Brand: Lexus
Best Performance Brand: Porsche
Most Rugged Truck Brand: Ford
Most Family-Friendly Brand: Ford
Coolest Brand: Porsche
Best Exterior Design Brand – Luxury: Porsche
Best Exterior Design Brand – Non-Luxury: Chevrolet
Best Interior Design Brand: Lexus
Best Prestige Brand: Mercedes-Benz
This marks the third year Kelley Blue Book has awarded manufacturers the Brand Image Awards, and there are multiple repeat winners. The 2010 awards mark the third year that Mercedes-Benz has captured Best Prestige Brand, demonstrating that it has prevailed in terms of being perceived as the most prestigious brand among new-car shoppers. Additionally, one of the most important factors among new truck buyers is “ruggedness,” and Ford has claimed the Most Rugged Truck Brand title among consumers for two years running.
The 2010 Brand Image Awards, presented to the top brands in nine categories, are based on consumer automotive perception data from Kelley Blue Book Market Intelligence’s Brand Watch™ study. Brand Watch is an online brand perception tracking study tapping into 12,000+ in-market new-vehicle shoppers annually on Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com. The highly comprehensive Brand Watch report provides a detailed look at in-market new-vehicle shoppers’ perceptions of brands, and important factors driving their purchase decisions while they are in the midst of the shopping process. The Kelley Blue Book Brand Image Awards recognize automakers’ outstanding achievements in creating and maintaining brand attributes that capture the attention and enthusiasm of the new-vehicle buying public.
“Kelley Blue Book Market Intelligence data, and the Brand Watch study in particular, can provide manufacturers with a unique perspective into the minds of how in-market new-car shoppers view their brand,” said James Bell, executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book and kbb.com. “Much too often, brands take a 'shotgun' approach and offer several different marketing messages over time rather than focusing on the one or two that best resonate with the audience. The Brand Image Awards, chosen by in-market car buyers, honor the brands that were successful in communicating a cohesive message across their vehicles and raising the profile of their overall brand image.”
Kbb.com Editorial Comments About 2010 Brand Image Award Winners
“If you believe the marketing credo ‘perception is reality,’ then you cannot help but be encouraged about the prospects of the winners of Kelley Blue Book’s 2010 Brand Image Awards,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book and kbb.com. “The brands included on this elite list have convinced the car-buying public at large of the considerable virtues of their vehicles, and that correlates well with success in the crowded automotive marketplace.”
Best Comfort Brand: Lexus
Known from the very beginning for their quiet, comfortable highway rides, Lexus vehicles continue to offer more and more occupant-coddling amenities. Combined with renowned reliability and consistently high dealership ratings, the Lexus brand delivers a relaxing ownership experience.
Best Performance Brand: Porsche
Porsche is an automaker so uniquely focused on performance that when it announced it had an SUV in the works, it sparked disbelief, confusion and even anger in some circles. The dust from that disturbance settled years ago, and Porsche continues to design and build cars (and SUVs) that deliver a unique driving experience built not just on numbers, but on feel. The new four-door Panamera only adds to the mystique.
Most Rugged Truck Brand: Ford
When the Ford F-150 was named Most Rugged Truck Brand in 2009, we noted that it had been the best-selling vehicle in the country for 27 years in a row. Make it 28 years in a row and another Brand Image Award. And while the newest F-150 is surely the toughest yet, it’s also the smoothest-riding and most feature-packed Ford pickup in history.
Most Family-Friendly Brand: Ford
In 2009, Ford attracted a lot of attention and accolades with a slew of family-style vehicles like the redesigned Fusion, three-row Flex crossover and a new, more relevant version of one of the all-time great family sedans – the Taurus. Combined with world-class reliability ratings, the Ford product renaissance is proving especially popular with families.
Coolest Brand: Porsche
In 2009, the Brand Image Awards for Coolest Brand, Best Performance Brand and Best Exterior Design Brand (Luxury) went to one automaker: BMW. This year, all three again go to one automaker: Porsche. Performance and cool have forever gone hand in hand, and Porsche’s uncompromising, laser-like focus on driver enjoyment makes its cars distinctively desirable.
Best Exterior Design Brand - Luxury: Porsche
When your lineup includes the most iconic design in the history of the automobile, you get an automatic bid into any design conversation. The same evolutionary approach that’s helped turn the 911 into a legend carries through the lineup, as Porsche continues to eschew design fads or gimmicks in favor of confident consistency.
Best Exterior Design Brand - Non-Luxury: Chevrolet
Chevy’s designers are on a roll. The styling renaissance that started with the latest Tahoe SUV and continued with the current Malibu sedan continues to evolve in the form of new cars like the Chevy Equinox crossover, Chevy Traverse three-row crossover and, of course, the new Chevy Camaro. Even the Corvette looks better than it has in decades. Backed up by a newfound, pervasive feeling of quality, we wouldn’t be surprised to see Chevy win more Brand Image Awards in the coming years.
Best Interior Design Brand: Lexus
Lexus interiors aren’t extravagant, plush or boundary-pushing, but the fit, finish and attention to detail deliver long-term allure. Clean, comfortable and simple define the typical Lexus interior, which remains user-friendly even as it continues to host more and more technology.
Best Prestige Brand: Mercedes-Benz
Kelley Blue Book visitors have named Mercedes-Benz the Best Prestige Brand three years in a row, and we suspect the streak will continue for the foreseeable future. While its competitors push varying combinations of performance, precision and style, Mercedes-Benz remains the luxury brand of luxury brands.
For more information about the 2010 Kelley Blue Book Brand Image Awards, please visit http://www.kbb.com/BrandImage2010.
For Brand Watch inquiries on any vehicle segment or brand, please contact Hwei-Lin Oetken, vice president of market intelligence for Kelley Blue Book, at 949-267-4460 or hoetken@kbb.com.
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KELLEY BLUE BOOK: TOYOTA RESIDUALS INCREASES ALONG WITH RISE IN INDUSTRY
Market Intelligence Data Shows Toyota Brand Consideration Rebounds Higher Than Pre-Recall Levels
IRVINE, Calif., March 22, 2010 – According to Kelley Blue Book www.kbb.com Kelley Blue Book® Values data to be published in the company’s May/June Residual Value Guide shows that the average year-over-year change in 36-month residual values of new Toyota models is forecasted to increase by 4.2 percentage points (based on the vehicles’ MSRP). While Toyota’s increase is below the industry average increase of 6.2 percentage points, it still outperforms a number of other brand increases. Year-over-year changes in residual values in the May/June release are largely being driven by changes within the vehicle segments.
Kelley Blue Book lowered its outlook on current used Toyota vehicle values in early February, with affected models dropping anywhere from 1-3 percent depending on the model. In early March, Toyota began offering various incentives to bring consumers back to the brand. Toyota’s recall, lingering in the press and the introduction of these incentives raised questions about Toyota’s residual values. According to Kelley Blue Book analysts, shifts in incentive spending often impact current used-car values much more than future values otherwise known as residual values. At this time, Kelley Blue Book’s residual analysts do not believe that the company will make zero percent financing a permanent fixture and therefore values will not be impacted greatly three or four years from now.
“Incentives offering lower interest rates have less of an impact on future values than cash incentives,” said Eric Ibara, director of residual value consulting, Kelley Blue Book. “Attractive lease payments can increase market penetration for certain models and create a larger volume of lease returns for the banks in the end. What remains to be seen is the larger volume of leases Toyota’s incentives create, as the volume is what will have a detrimental impact on future residual values."
Toyota’s recent attractive incentive offers appear to be driving a rebound in consideration according to Kelley Blue Book Market Intelligence data. Seven percent of car shoppers say they were not considering a Toyota prior to the incentive announcements, but now they are. In addition, the week-over-week percentages of consumers who say they would never consider a Toyota again, decreased (from 17 to 13 percent).
Additionally, the company’s Market Intelligence data shows Toyota consideration and interest has increased considerably in the last week, rebounding to higher levels than before the company’s recent major recall announcements.
The latest data shows 45 percent of in-market new-car shoppers now are considering a Toyota, up 13 percentage points from last week when only 32 percent of car shoppers were considering the brand. This week’s levels also leap seven percentage points above Toyota’s consideration prior to the major recall announcements in mid-January, when the brand was seeing 38 percent consideration. Additionally, this week’s levels are 17 percentage points higher than Toyota’s consideration was at its lowest point in the midst of the recall crisis, at only 28 percent in early February.
“Toyota may finally be turning the corner,” said James Bell, executive market analyst, Kelley Blue Book. “Between their aggressive realignment of production to be more in line with demand, the company’s current incentive offerings and the understanding that the recall issue while severe is statistically small; it’s not surprising that Toyota is now on the road to recovery.”
Furthermore, in-market new-car shoppers’ perceptions of Toyota’s safety have made small gains. According to the latest data from the Kelley Blue Book Brand Watch™ study, prior to the recall Toyota reached an 8.4 (on a 10-point scale) in perceived safety, but in the weeks following the recall news, their rating plummeted to 5.7. This week, Toyota’s perceived safety has climbed to 6.8 and is showing signs of continued upward movement.
This Kelley Blue Book Market Intelligence study on the Toyota recall was fielded to a total of 349 in-market car shoppers on Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com from March 12 – 15, 2010. Kelley Blue Book’s Brand Watch is an ongoing study tracking and trending consumer perceptions, detailing strengths and weaknesses of makes within each segment and act as a leading sales indicator by tracking and trending shopping behavior on Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com.
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KBB.COM: HYUNDAI OWNER LOYALTY SPEEDS PAST HONDA, REPLACES TOYOTA TO TAKE NO. 1 SPOT
Hyundai Values Outperform Segment; Sonata Recently Breaks into Top 10 Most-Researched New Vehicles List
IRVINE, Calif., March 15, 2010 – According to the latest Kelley Blue Book www.kbb.com Market Intelligence data, brand loyalty for Hyundai recently surpassed that of Honda and Toyota, leading Hyundai’s brand loyalty to the No. 1 spot among car shoppers on Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com. In addition, Hyundai values have been outperforming the car segment average, and the all-new Sonata recently emerged on the kbb.com Top 10 Most-Researched New Vehicles list.
When comparing February 2010 data to Q4 2009, Korean import automaker Hyundai has seen the greatest recent increase in loyalty, with Hyundai owners looking at new models within the brand increasing by 10.4 percentage points to 56.3 percent. This surge leads Hyundai to the top spot in brand loyalty on kbb.com for the first time in recent history, up from third place in Q4 2009.
In the same timeframe, Toyota fell from the No. 1 spot to third place and Honda continues to hold steady at second place. A fewer percentage of Toyota owners are looking at new models within the brand, down 4.4 percentage points to 53.3 percent, driving Toyota loyalty to third place. Meanwhile, holding steady in second place, Honda owners looking at new models within the brand have increased by 0.7 percentage points to 55.8 percent.
In addition, the Hyundai Sonata recently broke into kbb.com’s Top 10 Most-Researched New Vehicles list for the first time. In February 2010, the Sonata was the fifth most-researched new car on kbb.com, with only perpetual ‘Top 10 Most-Researched’ mainstay Honda and Toyota models such as the Accord, Civic, Camry and CR-V ahead of it.
Furthermore, according to Kelley Blue Book Values data, throughout the month of February 2010 Hyundai outperformed the overall car segment average by a healthy margin. Hyundai values increased 2 percent month-over-month, relative to a 0.3 percent increase for the entire car segment.
“Hyundai is clearly benefiting from ‘a perfect storm’ - a result of introducing passionate new products like the 2011 Sonata and 2010 Tucson, while Honda’s mainstream vehicles like the CR-V and Accord are a bit stale in the marketplace and Toyota is experiencing a huge consumer perception crisis,” said James Bell, executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com. “To sustain this momentum, Hyundai should continue to promote its attractive new-vehicle lineup, solid warranty offer and strong price-points to new-car shoppers. Hyundai’s main challenge in the near future will likely come from domestic automakers like Ford and GM as they gear up for battle over buyers starting to look for a change from ‘Camry-land.’”
This Kelley Blue Book Market Intelligence data analysis examined site traffic to used-car trade-in pages and new-car pricing report pages on Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com, and compared loyalty data from Q4 2009 to February 1 – 28, 2010. The Kelley Blue Book Values data within this release represents month-over-month used-vehicle depreciation percentages.
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About Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com)
Since 1926, Kelley Blue Book, The Trusted Resource®, has provided vehicle buyers and sellers with the new and used vehicle information they need to accomplish their goals with confidence. The company's top-rated Web site, www.kbb.com, provides the most up-to-date pricing and values, including the New Car Blue Book® Value, which reveals what people actually are paying for new cars. The company also reports vehicle pricing and values via products and services, including software products and the famous Blue Book® Official Guide. According to the C.A. Walker Research Solutions, Inc. - 2009 Spring Automotive Web Site Usefulness Study, kbb.com is the most useful automotive information Web site among new and used vehicle shoppers, and half of online vehicle shoppers visit kbb.com. Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com also is a W3 Gold Award winner, sanctioned by the International Academy of Visual Arts. Kbb.com is a leading provider of new car prices, used car Blue Book Values, car reviews, new cars for sale, used cars for sale, and car dealer locations.
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