AutoPacific: 2002 Vehicle Satisfaction Scores

TUSTIN, Calif., April 24 -- Results of a study released today by noted automotive consulting firm AutoPacific, Inc. reveal owner satisfaction with new 2002 model year cars and light trucks. AutoPacific's VSS (Vehicle Satisfaction Score) study is an industry benchmark for objective new vehicle buyer and lessee satisfaction.

Two brands share top ratings in 2002: Cadillac and Lexus. Being at the top is familiar territory for both, as Cadillac was top-rated in 2001, and Lexus in 2000.

The individual vehicle model registering highest overall satisfaction for a third consecutive year is Lexus' LS sedan, represented for 2002 by the LS430 model. The highest-rated truck is Cadillac's new and extensively upgraded Escalade, so improved in its latest guise as to claim a comfortable victory in the increasingly competitive truck arena.

``The corporate combination of Toyota and Lexus once again demonstrates significant strength with seven segment winners and nine total awards,'' notes AutoPacific founder and president George Peterson. ``General Motors also shines with three class winners and five total awards. On a corporate level, Ford and Hyundai have three class wins each, while DaimlerChrysler, Honda, Nissan and Volkswagen earn a class win apiece.

    Top performers by segment are:

     PASSENGER CARS:
     Compact Car                   Volkswagen Beetle
     Mid-Size Car                  Hyundai Sonata
     Premium Mid-Size Car          Nissan Altima
     Contemporary Luxury Car       Lexus ES 300
     Luxury/Large Car              Cadillac DeVille  (tied) (repeat winner)
                                   Toyota Avalon     (tied) (repeat winner)
     Premium Luxury Car            Lexus LS 430             (repeat winner)
     Sporty Car                    Mercury Cougar
     Sports Car                    Lexus SC 430
     AWD Sport Wagon               Volvo V70XC
     "Green" Car                   Toyota Prius             (repeat winner)

     LIGHT TRUCKS:
     Minivan                       Kia Sedona
     Compact Sport Utility         Honda CR-V
     Mid-Size Sport Utility        Hyundai Santa Fe  (tied) (repeat winner)
                                   Toyota Highlander (tied)
     Large Sport Utility           Ford Excursion           (repeat winner)
     Luxury Sport Utility          Cadillac Escalade
     Compact Pickup Truck          Toyota Tacoma
     Large Pickup Truck            Chevrolet Silverado HD
     4-Door Pickup Truck           Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab

All winning manufacturers receive AutoPacific's coveted ``speedform'' award, featuring a blue stylized vehicle mounted on a clear and black plexiglass base. The speedform having a decidedly automotive shape and appearance underscores AutoPacific's role as an auto industry specialist. In fact, AutoPacific works exclusively in and with the auto industry, leaving restaurants, airlines and hotels to others.

In addition to identifying segment winners, VSS also establishes numerical ratings for virtually every passenger car and light truck in the North American market. Among passenger cars, following LS 430 as top scorer is Mercedes-Benz S-Class in second place, Lexus ES 300 third, Mercedes-Benz E-Class fourth and (2001) BMW 7-Series fifth. Among light trucks, ranking second behind Cadillac Escalade is last year's winner Lincoln Navigator, followed by Ford Excursion in third, Acura's acclaimed MDX sport utility fourth and Lexus RX 300 fifth.

VSS ratings record satisfaction with vehicles overall, as well as in 43 specific areas related to the vehicle's operation, comfort, safety and purchase/lease experience. Ratings reflect input from over 34,000 owners of new vehicles acquired September-November 2001.

AutoPacific releases VSS results yearly as a free consumer and industry service. In addition, AutoPacific offers a Satisfaction Benchmark Study (SBS) that analyzes, on a feature-by-feature basis, cars and trucks in the North American market. This study allows manufacturers and key suppliers to assess and compare their vehicles on a feature level with the best in the business. ``We feel SBS is the best and most economical way for manufacturers and suppliers to rate their own performance, and find out who is setting the standard for satisfaction. It then takes the analysis to the discrete level, from cupholders to the dealership experience,'' says Peterson.

AutoPacific is a future-oriented automotive marketing and product consulting firm. Every year it 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 are in Tustin, California, with an affiliate office in the Detroit area.