Posted by Ty Michael on April 5, 2012 at 4:04 pm
Drivers today are shelling out nearly $4/gallon, on average, to fill up their vehicles, about 25 cents more than this time last year. But this added expense is not persuading consumers to ditch their SUVs for more fuel efficient small cars. Results from AutoPacific’s latest Fuel Price Impact Survey (FPIS) actually show SUVs being the top vehicle replacement choice, with small cars coming in third. In addition, 76% surveyed would replace their current vehicle with a similarly sized one, whereas only 18% say they would go smaller.
Only Minor Vehicle Segment Shifts: In general, US drivers would not shift to a different vehicle segment when time to replace their current vehicle. Differences from replacement vehicle segment choice and what respondents currently own range between 0-2 percentage points, according to survey results. For example, 28% of respondents own an SUV, and that same percent would choose one for their replacement as well. About 19% would choose a small car, which is two percentage-points higher than current respondent ownership. This is a stark contrast to the July 2008 fuel price spike when the top replacement choice was small cars at 32% of the sample, 12 percentage points higher than current ownership at that time.
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Posted by Dan Hall on February 22, 2012 at 1:10 pm
Conspicuous conservation is for the rich. Or at least that’s what the data show. In general, AutoPacific research shows that buyers of hybrids make more money than buyers of comparable vehicles. Not surprising, since hybrids are more expensive than single engine vehicles and generally do not reap the economic rewards of their fuel efficiency before they have been traded in.
But now that there are more than 2.5 million Prius’ on the road worldwide (1.1 million in the US), economies of scale might help make having a PC ride possible for the masses. In fact, by the end of the decade, the Prius family of vehicles may be the leading nameplate for Toyota sales in the US. At least that’s what’s Toyota is betting on with the Prius c.
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Posted by George Peterson on January 3, 2012 at 5:44 pm
Goodyear Auto Service Centers – the Most Satisfying Tire Retailer in AutoPacific’s 1st Replacement Tire Retailer Dynamics and Satisfaction Study
About 26% of drivers in the USA have replaced one or more tires in the last twelve months. Most of these tires are purchased and serviced by a Tire Retailer. Tire retailers can range from the corner service station to an auto dealership, a mass market retailer or a specialist nationwide tire center. Knowing which tire retailers provide the most satisfying service is critical when deciding where to purchase Replacement Tires. In its first Replacement Tire Brand Dynamics and Satisfaction Study AutoPacific surveyed over 15,000 vehicle owners who bought replacement tires over the past twelve months to determine what is important when choosing a replacement tire and which tire retailers provide the most satisfying experience.
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Posted by George Peterson on October 26, 2011 at 2:45 pm
Women demand safety features. Men want technology features.
In AutoPacific’s 2011 Future Attribute Demand Study, 73,000 respondents selected those features they want on their next car or light truck. About 40% of these new vehicle owners were women, but we know from experience that females influence 80% of new car and light truck sales. In analyzing AutoPacific’s data, we find that demand for many features is about equal between men and women. For instance, nearly equal percentages want Bluetooth (75%), a rear backup camera (52%), a navigation system (46%), a heated windshield (44%), voice activated controls (36%), keypad entry system (33%). So, what are the features that each gender demand that differentiate them?
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Posted by Ty Michael on September 21, 2011 at 11:00 am
Drivers paid around one dollar more per gallon at the gas pumps this past July compared to the same month in 2010. Surprisingly, however, nearly the same number of drivers planned to purchase SUVs, pickups and V8 engines both years, proving that car buyers have become immune to the spikes in fuel prices when it comes to their vehicle-purchase decisions. In addition, nearly one in ten surveyed planned to modify their current vehicles with aftermarket parts hoping to attain increases in fuel economy.
Now is your chance to weigh in on the issue by taking the latest September 2011 Fuel Prices survey available to VehicleVoice panelists. Simply click here, or login using the email address for which you created your account, click the “Go to Surveys” button, and follow the “Fuel Prices” link to take the survey.
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Posted by Ty Michael on August 16, 2011 at 9:10 am
The Dodge Challenger is the top ranked Sporty Car in AutoPacific’s 2011 Ideal Vehicle Award Research. Sporty Car owners are always seeking more and even though the Challenger won because its owners did not want much changed, there are some substantial areas they want changed. First, almost 50% want more power. This is characteristic of the Sporty Car buyer and Challenger buyers are no exception. Challenger owners want better visibility – a characteristic sacrificed by the aggressive styling of the car. They also want more infotainment technology. They most like its exterior size (although some want it smaller), cargo room and seat comfort. The Challenger handily outpointed the second place Volkswagen Eos for the Sporty Car trophy.
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Posted by Ty Michael on August 16, 2011 at 9:05 am
The Cadillac Escalade is the top ranked Premium SUV in AutoPacific’s 2011 Ideal Vehicle Research. As the class winner, Escalade owners identify few things they would want changed. Even the most technology-laden vehicles still have their owners wanting more. About 30% of Escalade owners want more infotainment technology. They also want better interior storage and, believe it or not, more cargo space and passenger room. They most like its size, seat comfort and wheels. Escalade wins its class over second place Land Rover LR4.
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Posted by Ty Michael on August 16, 2011 at 9:00 am
The F-150 is the top-ranked Light Duty Full Size Pickup based on owner ratings in AutoPacific’s 2011 Ideal Vehicle Research. As the class winner, owners don’t want much change, but there are some exceptions. Over 35% of F-15 owners want better interior storage, 25% want their truck to be easier to get into and out of. About 20% want larger wheels and tires. Owners like their seat comfort, ride and roominess. The F-150 outpoints the second place Chevrolet Avalanche by a wide margin.
Large Light Duty Pickup
A Light Duty Pickup has a gross vehicle weight ratio under 8,500 pounds and includes the likes of the Ford F-150, Dodge Ram, and Chevrolet Silverado. These pickups can be used for both commercial and personal use and have a wide range of capability and pricing. Towing and horsepower both rank supreme for buyers of these trucks.
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Posted by Ty Michael on August 16, 2011 at 9:00 am
The owners of the Porsche 911 rate the car so highly in AutoPacific’s 2011 Ideal Vehicle Research that the car wins the IVA for the Sports Car Class and is also the top rated vehicle overall. As the overall and class winner, owners of the 911 do not want much changed. When pressed, about 20% say they want more cargo room, easier ingress/egress and more infotainment technology. They most like the seat comfort, ride and interior roominess. The Porsche Boxster/Cayman were in second place in the class. It was a Porsche sweep.
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Posted by Ty Michael on August 16, 2011 at 8:50 am
The all new Grand Cherokee is the top ranked Mid-Size SUV in AutoPacific’s 2011 Ideal Vehicle Research. As the class winner, its owners identify few things they would want changed, but there are a few. About 30% would like better visibility and more infotainment technology. About 25% want the Grand Cherokee to be easier to get into and out of. About 25% want it to have more power and more cargo room as well. Grand Cherokee owners most like its ride, seat comfort, exterior size and the styling of the new vehicle. Grand Cherokee handily outpoints the second place Nissan Xterra.
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