A survey of new car buyers in the United States shows that Honda Motor Co. customers are the most satisfied with their purchases.
San Diego-based Strategic Vision surveyed more than 64,000 people who purchased new cars from October 2005 to March 2006. Participants were questioned after 90 days of ownership. The study, separate from Strategic Vision's quality survey, tries to capture whether consumers believe they got their money's worth and factors in emotional components.
Highlights from the Total Value Index survey :
• The 2006 Honda Civic came in first place in the small car category, followed by the Hyundai Elantra .
• The Honda Accord coupe, manufactured in Marysville, was rated the best mid-sized specialty car, with the Toyota Camry Solara coupe in second place.
• The Honda Pilot was in first place in the medium crossover category for small sport-utility vehicles, followed by Nissan's Murano .
• Honda's Ridgeline was rated the best compact pickup, with the Toyota Tacoma in second place.
"One thing about Honda that is just really clear: They have the strongest brand equity of any brand out there," said Alexander Edwards, president of Strategic Vision's automotive research group.
Toyota Motor Corp., which had seven segment winners in 2005, took three categories in this year’s study.
South Korea’s Hyundai Motor Co. had three winners, Azera, Kia Optima and Kia Sedona, while its Tucson tied General Motors Corp.`s Saturn Vue for top-ranked small sport utility vehicle .
