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The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
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Despite Prior Controversy, Ford's Explorer Appears to Have Confidence of KBB.com Visitors; Finding Based on Vehicles Researched On Kelley Blue Book Website Last Month

    IRVINE, Calif.--Feb. 12, 2002--Of the top 50 vehicles researched on the Kelley Blue Book Website, the totally redesigned Ford Explorer ranked number one in the SUV category and number six over all.
    Kelley Blue Book said its Website had over four million visitors last month with a large percentage showing interest in SUVs and full-sized pickups. Requests for pricing reports related to the Explorer fell just behind those for the full-sized Chevrolet and Ford Pickups, the Honda Accord and Civic and the Toyota Camry.
    The public's appetite for SUVs does not seem to be slowing, as the popular vehicles comprise a full 40% of the top 50 vehicle pricing reports requested. Pickup trucks received 20%, passenger cars 32% and minivans and luxury cars the remaining 8%.

    About Kelley Blue Book:

    Based in Irvine, California, Kelley Blue Book is relied on by both consumers and the automotive industry as the trusted resource for car-buying research and information. The company is currently celebrating its 75th anniversary. Its website, kbb.com, is the number one automotive site in the nation, according to Jupiter Media Metrix and Neilson Net ratings. It attracts over 4 million unique visitors, generating nearly 30 million pricing reports per month. For the fourth year in a row, kbb.com is also the most visited site by consumers who go on to buy new and used cars.
    The complete kbb.com list of the top 50 new cars researched on its Website in January follows:



1     Chevrolet/GMC       Pickups (Silverado & Sierra)
2     Ford                Pickups (F Series)
3     Honda               Accord
4     Toyota              Camry
5     Honda               Civic
6     Ford                Explorer
7     Nissan              Altima
8     BMW                 3 Series
9     Chevrolet/GMC       Tahoe/Yukon
10    Volkswagen          Jetta
11    Toyota              Tacoma
12    Volkswagen          Passat
13    Honda               Odyssey
14    Dodge               Ram Pickups
15    Honda               CR-V
16    Toyota              Highlander
17    Ford                Escape
18    Chevrolet           TrailBlazer
19    Nissan              Maxima
20    Jeep                Grand Cherokee
21    Mercedes-Benz       C-Class
22    Chrysler/Dodge      Voyager/Caravan
23    Audi                A4
24    Ford                Mustang
25    Acura               MDX
26    Jeep                Liberty
27    BMW                 5 Series
28    Toyota              4Runner
29    Nissan              Xterra
30    Hyundai             Santa Fe
31    Ford                Focus
32    Toyota              Sequoia
33    Toyota              Tundra
34    BMW                 X5
35    Chevrolet/GMC       S10/Sonoma
36    Dodge               Dakota Pickups
37    Toyota              Corolla
38    Acura               TL
39    Ford                Ranger
40    Nissan              Frontier
41    Ford                Expedition
42    Dodge               Durango
43    Subaru              Impreza
44    Chevrolet/GMC       Blazer/Jimmy
45    Toyota              RAV4
46    Nissan              Pathfinder
47    Lexus               RX 300
48    GMC                 Envoy
49    Nissan              Sentra
50    Mitsubishi          Eclipse