Category: Awards

Suzuki Grand Vitara wins AutoPacific Vehicle Satisfaction Award

AutoPacific has released the results of its 2006 model year owner satisfaction research. AutoPacific’s VSA (Vehicle Satisfaction Award) study is an industry benchmark for objectively measuring how satisfied an owner is with their new car or light truck.

In the flurry of COTY awards, the Best Cars for Teens seems soft and not particularly well thought out. It appears like a no teen was asked for their opinions and only government- and industry-available information was used. Based on AutoPacific and VehicleVoice research Teens (or lets broaden that to GenY buyers) most likely would buy a used car (because they can afford it) or larger vehicles (because they aspire to them).

Every April, Consumer Reports publishes its Annual Auto Issue. This is the most widely read issue of Consumer Reports by far. There is information not only on new cars and trucks, but also on cars that have been in operation for years. VehicleVoice survey research and AutoPacific survey and focus group research concludes that Consumer Reports can have a significant impact on what cars and trucks an American driver may select. When asked what information sources a person uses when deciding what car to look at, Consumer Reports is often the first source mentioned.

Motorweek, the PBS-oriented car show, announced the winners of its 2006 Driver's Choice Awards at the 2006 Chicago Auto Show.

Motorweek, the PBS-oriented car show, announced the winners of its 2006 Driver's Choice Awards at the 2006 Chicago Auto Show.

New vehicles from American Honda have swept the 2006 North American Car and Truck of the Year Awards. The all-new Honda Civic won the Car of the Year Award adn the Ridgeline Sport Utlity Truck won the Truck of the Year Award. The Civic has been on sale since late Fall 2005 and Ridgeline was introduced in Spring 2005. Both are 2006 models.

Automotive Lease Guide is an influential and closely watched barometer of the value of brands and vehicles in the USA. ALG's data are used by leasing companies to set the values for vehicles two and three years in the future and are critical in determining what lease rates a lessee will pay.

In an sweep of Motor Trend's 2006 Car and Truck of the Year Awards, Honda has achieved a first. No other manufacturer has won both in the same year. VehicleVoice [(http://www.vehiclevoice.com) & (http://news.vehiclevoice.com)] has been tracking both Honda vehicles since their intro and both are special. The Ridgeline, while not a "real" truck to real trucker, has many innovative features that make traditional pickups and SUTs look like "old-think". Similarly, the hybrid-looking 2006 Civic sets a new standard for aspirational mainstream small car design.

Car & Driver 10Best Cars for 2006 provides some interesting winners. VehlcleVoice provides a thoughtful counterpoint.