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According to JD Power and Associates, no other automaker is holding on to their customers better than Hyundai. The Korean automaker ranked No. 1 in the annual Customer Retention Study, signifying that Hyundai has been successful in improving its image, quality, and general appeal.
Hyundai ranked just ahead of Ford and Honda, which both tied for the second place spot. JD Power noted that Hyundai’s retention rate is primarily driven by the Elantra and Sonata models.
“Hyundai’s increased retention rate is shaped by its expanding model lineup, as well as the fact that perceptions of the brand’s quality and appeal have continued to improve during the past decade,” said Raffi Festekjian, director of automotive product research at J.D. Power and Associates.
The 2012 Customer Retention Study is based on responses from 117,001 new-vehicle buyers and lessees, of which 73,733 replaced a vehicle that was previously acquired new. The study was fielded between February and May 2011 and August and September 2011.
These days, as the economy continues to recover, customer retention is extremely important and is an indicator of a brand’s market success. An automaker’s ability to retain its customers also reveals how satisfying their vehicles were over the course of vehicle performance. In addition to customer retention, the study also measures the rate at which each automotive brand captures customers from its competitors, known as conquesting.
There hasn’t been too much news concerning the compact pickup segment lately. The biggest news may have been Ford’s decision to pull the plug on its Ranger pickup. But now that the Ranger is out of the way, Nissan has spotted a huge opportunity.
“We’re really the beneficiary of Ford pulling out of the segment,” says Al Castignetti, Nissan Division’s U.S. sales chief.
Ford sold 70,000 units of the archaic, and now-discontinued, Ranger pickup last year. In order to fill that gap, Nissan is ramping up an ad campaign to help bring greater attention to its truck lineup. While advertising can certainly help the situation, its unfortunately never a guarantee for additional sales.
Still, Nissan is confident it can not only revive the Frontier’s sales, but also revive the slow-selling full-size Titan pickup. At the Detroit Auto Show last week, Renault-Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn confirmed that a next-generation Titan pickup is on its way, saying “We are going to replace it. We are going to present in every segment in the market in the United States.” With an opportunity present, Nissan execs truly believe that the time may be right to put more emphasis on their trucks.
“We’ve got our dealers reinvigorated on the truck and got our marketing out there,” said Castignetti recently. “We’re having great success with it.”
The 2012 Mini Coupe offers go-cart-like handling to excite just about any driver, but it’s low-slung roofline and somewhat awkward lines aren’t for everyone. The all-new 2013 Mini Roadster, however, is a little easier on the eyes while retaining the Coupe’s beloved driving dynamics.
Available in the Cooper, Cooper S, and the John Cooper Works trim levels, the Roadster is powered by three versions of the automaker’s 1.6-liter inline-four, producing 122, 184 and 211 horsepower, respectively. Responsive handling is assured thanks to a low center of gravity, a rigid body structure, and an aerodynamic design. The Roadster also offers a host of driving aids including standard Electric Power Steering and DSC (Dynamic Stability Control), and available DTC (Dynamic Traction Control) with EDLC (Electronic Differential Lock Control).
“Just like the Coupe, the Roadster went from development to production in only two short years,” said Dr. Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Sales and Marketing, at the Detroit Auto Show. “With this much speed in its DNA, it’s no wonder the Roadster is so quick. A spontaneous and sporty character gives drivers easy access to unbridled, open-top fun.”
In addition to promising plenty of motoring fun, the new Mini Roadster also boasts an available Harmon Kardon audio system, as well as the Mini Connected infotainment system which features Internet radio, Google search capability, an RSS reader, and social media integration.
The all-new Mini Roadster may be the first open-top two-seater in the brand’s history, but it’s certainly got the formula right while staying true to the brand’s unique DNA.
Find more details on the 2013 Mini Roadster below.
2013 Mini Roadster Press Release
Like the recently unveiled 2013 Nissan Pathfinder, Acura isn’t ready to call the 2013 RDX on display at the Detroit Auto Show a production model just yet. However, it’s still a good look at what the all-new performance-oriented crossover is going to look like when it arrives in showrooms later this year.
The new RDX will be quite a bit bigger than the current model, but the biggest change is what’s under the hood. Acura is ditching the RDX’s current turbocharged four-cylinder unit in favor of a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 273 horsepower. Despite two more cylinders and more horsepower, the compact crossover is also expected to become more efficient, with anticipated EPA fuel economy ratings of 20 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.
At first glance, the new RDX is more wagon-like, as it’s not quite as tall as the current model. However, for 2013 it will get a longer wheelbase and a wider track, which should help it deliver a far better ride. Acura says the RDX’s interior will also be extremely quiet, thanks to ample use of of sound deadening materials.
Find more details on the 2013 RDX and Acura’s latest concepts below.
2013 Acura RDX Press Release
Mazda has released official fuel economy figures for the all-new CX-5, and they certainly don’t disappoint. The new compact crossover is rated at 26 miles per gallon in the city and 35 mpg on the highway, which is enough to be best-in-class.
Such aggressive fuel economy figures have been achieved with the help of Mazda’s suite of all-new SkyActiv engine technologies. Aside from an all-new direct-injection 2.0-liter inline-four and an all-new six-speed automatic transmission, Mazda also incorporated weight-saving measures into the new crossover to further boost fuel efficiency. With a total curb weight of 3,208 pounds, the FWD CX-5 is the lightest compact SUV in its class.
Pricing for the 2013 CX-5 will be available closer to its launch this Spring. Stay tuned for more details.
Boosted by its Chevrolet brand, sales rise 7.6% to 9 million two years after its emergence from bankruptcy.
Less than two years after emerging from bankruptcy,General Motors Co.has regained the title of the world’s largest automaker.
General Motors says it will begin shipping a version of the plug-in hybrid sedan that satisfies the requirements of the California Air Resources Board.
General Motors Co. plans to bring a special version of the Chevrolet Volt to the California market that will qualify the plug-in hybrid sedan for a $1,500 state rebate and a coveted carpool lane sticker.
Subaru says this new Impreza, available as a sedan and a hatchback, is the most fuel-efficient all-wheel-drive vehicle in the U.S. It’s rated at 27 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway.
The recipe for Subaru’s compact Impreza is getting a rewrite for 2012.
The nation’s top auto safety regulator is ill-equipped to detect problems with high-tech electronics commonplace in today’s cars, a new government study has concluded.
The average age of the 240.5 million cars and light trucks in the U.S. rises to 10.8 years in 2011 from 10.4 years in 2010.
The average age of autos on the road has reached a record high.
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