Infiniti Top Brand, Cadillac DTS Top Car, Lincoln MKX Top Truck

A study released by noted automotive consulting firm AutoPacific, Inc. summarizes the results of its 2007 model year vehicle satisfaction research. AutoPacific's Vehicle Satisfaction Award (VSA) is an industry benchmark for objectively measuring how satisfied an owner is with their new car or light truck.

The brand with the highest satisfaction rating is Infiniti. The vehicle registering highest overall satisfaction in 2007 is the Cadillac DTS. The highest rated truck is the new-for-2007 Lincoln MKX, a Luxury Crossover SUV.

There are twenty-five Vehicle Satisfaction Award categories. At the manufacturer level, multiple award winners include: General Motors and Toyota: six categories, Ford: five categories, Nissan and Hyundai: three categories, and Honda: two categories.

"Infiniti wins the Vehicle Satisfaction Award as the top brand in the closest race in years. Strong satisfaction performance by Infiniti cars and trucks has Infiniti winning over strong performances by Lincoln, Cadillac, Lexus and other luxury marques," says AutoPacific president George Peterson. "The dual wins by Ford Motor Company's new Crossover SUVs -- the Lincoln MKX and Ford Edge -- shows Ford was on target when developing these important new vehicles."

Peterson continues, "The Cadillac DTS is the highest rated car and vehicle overall. The Hyundai Santa Fe was the first Korean vehicle to win AutoPacific's Vehicle Satisfaction Award -- in 2001 -- and continues its strong performance for the sixth year in a row. Winning an AutoPacific VSA is testament for any vehicle that their owners are confident they have made the right choice."

  Top 2007 model year performers are:

  BRAND:                             Infiniti

  PASSENGER CARS:

  Premium Luxury Car                 Lexus LS/BMW 7-Series
  Aspirational Luxury Car            Jaguar X-Type
  Large Luxury Car                   Cadillac DTS
  Large Car                          Hyundai Azera/Toyota Avalon
  Luxury Mid-Size Car                Nissan Maxima
  Premium Mid-Size Car               Nissan Altima
  Mid-Size Car                       Saturn Aura
  Image Compact Car                  Audi A3
  Compact Car                        Pontiac G5
  Economy Car                        Honda Fit
  Premium Sports Car                 Lexus SC
  Sports Car                         Porsche Boxster
  Sporty Car                         Scion tC

  LIGHT TRUCKS:

  Large Light-Duty Pickup            Chevrolet Silverado
  Large Heavy-Duty Pickup            Chevrolet Silverado HD
  Compact Pickup                     Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  Luxury Sport Utility               Lincoln Navigator
  Large Sport Utility                GMC Yukon XL
  Mid-Size Sport Utility             Toyota 4Runner
  Compact SUV/Off-Road Vehicle       Toyota FJ Cruiser
  Luxury Crossover SUV               Lincoln MKX
  Premium Mid-Size Crossover SUV     Ford Edge/Hyundai Santa Fe
  Mid-Size Crossover SUV             Honda CR-V
  Compact Crossover SUV              Hyundai Tucson
  Minivan                            Nissan Quest

In addition to identifying category winners, VSA also establishes numerical satisfaction ratings for virtually every passenger car and light truck in the North American market. Owner satisfaction is measured across 46 specific areas related to a vehicle's operation, comfort, safety and the overall purchase/lease experience. The 2007 ratings reflect input from buyers and lessees of new vehicles acquired September through December 2006.

AutoPacific is a future-oriented automotive marketing and product- consulting firm. Every year AutoPacific publishes a wide variety of syndicated studies on the automotive industry. The firm also conducts extensive proprietary research and consulting for auto manufacturers, distributors, marketers and suppliers worldwide. Company headquarters and its state-of-the-art automotive research facility are in Tustin, California, with an affiliate office in the Detroit area.

Source: AutoPacific

Web site:
http://www.autopacific.com/
http://blog.vehiclevoice.com/