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Study: Female buyers not considering many domestic vehicles

Filed under: Car Buying

RL Polk women car preferences

We don’t have a demographic breakdown for Autoblog’s core audience to share, but we can tell you that the overwhelming majority of our readers are men. That said, women tend to be very specific about which vehicles they choose, and according to R.L. Polk, Asian automakers ranging from Toyota to Kia are winning over women on a grand scale.

Take a look at the graphic above, which shows the top five vehicle selections by (non-Caucasian) ethnic group. The Toyota Camry takes the top spot, scoring the number one spot in five ethnic groups. The Corolla, Civic, Accord and CR-V round out the top five, which makes sense due to the fact that those five vehicles are typically among the top-selling passenger vehicles each month. But where are the domestics?

The bottom of the chart shows the top domestic model as chosen by each ethnic group. Ford dominates the list, taking the top spot in seven of the eight ethnic groups, though judging by Polk’s data, it’s apparent that domestics are very low on the priority list. The only ethnic groups to choose a domestic in the top 10 are African-Americans (Malibu) and Hispanics (Ford F-Series).

[Source: R.L. Polk]

Study: Female buyers not considering many domestic vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Study: Men more likely to overrule GPS than women, still won’t stop for directions

Filed under: Technology, UK

Satellite Navigation System

The voice of the navigation system tells you to turn right, but you are absolutely positive that it’s a better idea to go straight for two more streets and then turn left. Do you listen to the sat-nav, or your gut? If you’re a man, you’re more likely to stick to your guns, at least according to a study by UK insurance retailer Swinton.

The study, which polled 3,000 users about their navigation habits, discovered that 83 percent of men have disobeyed their nav system at least once, compared to under 75 percent for women. The study also showed that one-third of all participants surveyed felt their navigation system took them between one and five kilometers astray, while half say the system’s directions led to an in-car argument with a passenger.

Steve Chelton, Insurance Development Manager at Swinton, points out that, “a sat-nav should aid your own navigational abilities rather than replace them.” That’s a good point to be sure, but what should a driver do to make sure their nav isn’t giving them the high-tech shaft? Two-thirds of the drivers in the study keep an old-fashioned paper map in the car just in case.

[Source: National Post | Image: Chris Shunk/AOL]

Study: Men more likely to overrule GPS than women, still won’t stop for directions originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Study: Worldwide auto production could drop 30% due to quake in Japan

Filed under: Japan, Plants/Manufacturing

Auto production in Japan

You’ve likely seen plenty of news lately about how Japanese automakers have been affected by the March 11 earthquake in Japan, but what about the rest of the industry? The Detroit News reports that research firm IHS Automotive thinks that global auto production could drop by 30 percent, and nearly every major automaker will be affected.

The key to that dire prediction will be the speed with which Japanese suppliers can get back to making parts for the industry. IHS Vice President Michael Robinet reportedly told DetNews that if suppliers aren’t online within six weeks, global vehicle production could drop by 100,000 units per day. With average total production sitting at 280,000 to 300,000 units per day, 100,000 represents about 30 percent of all vehicles built. Robinet adds that if parts don’t start coming online quickly, automakers will begin feeling the pinch by mid-April.

IHS points to electronics and transmission components as the most likely to run dry. And that 30-percent figure could morph into 40 percent if automakers can’t get replacement parts within eight weeks.

Sobering statistics, indeed. We’re thinking automakers are hoping Japan can rebuild factories as quickly (and miraculously) as it can rebuild highways.

[Source: The Detroit News]

Study: Worldwide auto production could drop 30% due to quake in Japan originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Mar 2011 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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JD Power’s 2011 Vehicle Dependability Study names Lincoln best brand, Toyota wins most segments

Filed under: Car Buying

J.D. Power and Associates has released its annual Vehicle Dependability Study for 2011, and there are a few surprises in store for those who religiously keep track of who outperforms who on the automotive reliability front. For the first time ever, Lincoln, with 101 problems per 100 vehicles, leads the chart, followed by Lexus with a score of 109.

Number three on the list is also something of a surprise: Jaguar, who’s score of 112 problems per 100 vehicles seemingly proves not all leaping kitties leave unwanted presents outside the confines of their litter boxes. Porsche (114) and Toyota (122) round out the top five. The industry average comes in at 151 problems per 100 vehicles, which of course means that some brands perform rather poorly in J.D. Power’s rankings.

Bringing up the rear in this year’s study is Mini, with 221 problems per 100 vehicles. That’s not good. BMW’s smallest brand is followed by Jeep (214), Land Rover (212), Dodge (206) and Chrysler (202). The study also ranks individual models in each category, and Toyota’s seven individual segment victories gives the Japanese automaker more individual victories than any other brand.

A brief explanation of how this particular study is compiled: J.D. Power polled 43,700 original owners on problems experienced during the past 12 months on 2008 model-year vehicles after three years of ownership. As such, this study is not ranking the latest vehicles by any given manufacturer, but is instead intended to help consumers predict the durability of a potential automobile purchase.

There’s lots more detail in the press release and graphs found after the break, so click here and put your number-crunching hats on.

[Source: J.D. Power and Associates]

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JD Power’s 2011 Vehicle Dependability Study names Lincoln best brand, Toyota wins most segments originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Mar 2011 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Study: Auto business loves spam more than any other industry

Filed under: Etc., Technology

spam graph

Symantec spam graph – Click above to view press release after the jump

Getting spammed daily from all sides has become a fact of life. If you have an email address and use the internet, you will get spammed. Most likely numerous times throughout the day. In a recent study by Symantec, researchers found that the automotive business is the most-spammed industry out there.

According to the study, fully 84.3 percent of emails sent relating to the industry are considered spam. That’s more than the global spam rate of 81.3 percent, and higher than the rate generated by any other industry.

Not only is the auto industry’s rate the highest, it’s growing. In January of this year, the level for the automotive industry was 82.8 percent. That might not seem like a huge spike, but when you consider how many billion emails spammers send, the number looks a little more impressive.

Other industries are almost as badly off, with spam accounting for more than 80 percent of emails in the financial, chemical and pharmaceutical, education, manufacturing, marketing, public sector, IT and retail industries.

[Source: Symantec]

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Study: Auto business loves spam more than any other industry originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Study reviews break-even point for hybrid vehicles

Filed under: Car Buying, Hybrid, Sedan, SUV, Ford, Toyota

2010 Ford Escape Hybrid

2010 Ford Escape Hybrid – Click above for high-res image gallery

Buying a hybrid is a responsible environmental move but, given their premium over standard cars, they aren’t always a money-saving purchase. A study by CarGurus showed that gas would have to top $7 a gallon to make most hybrids the economical choice.

Hybrids command, on average, a 17-percent markup over their standard-powertrain counterparts, which stunts their economy at the pump. The $7-a-gallon break even point is an average. For some cars, the break-even is point is even higher. For a Cadillac Escalade Hybrid to make you money, gas will need to climb to $15 a gallon.

On the lower side of the scale are the Toyota Camry Hybrid and Ford Escape Hybrid. The Toyota’s break-even point came out to $4 a gallon, while the Ford bucked the trend, breaking even at $2.50 a gallon.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

Study reviews break-even point for hybrid vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Mar 2011 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Study: Pontiac drivers mainly sticking with GM

Filed under: Car Buying, GM, Pontiac

2009 Pontiac G8 GXP – Click above for high-res image gallery

Of the 57,641 Pontiac owners who bought a new car in 2010, 53.3 percent of them stuck with a product from General Motors, according to a survey by RL Polk & Co. The hard numbers: 33.5 percent of Pontiac customers chose a Chevrolet, 11.7 chose a GMC, 6.7 went with Buick and the last 1.5 percent bought a Cadillac.

Within the rest of the Big Three, Ford had the best outing, grabbing 10.5 percent of former Pontiac owners. Dodge caught 3.2 percent and Chrysler and Jeep together totaled 1.7 percent of the share.

Large numbers of Pontiac owners who didn’t buy another GM product went overseas, with 31 percent opting for an import. Toyota claimed 7.7 percent of Pontiac owners, while Honda netted 7.5. Nissan and Hyundai weren’t far behind.

What the numbers show is that buyers who bought a Pontiac largely stuck with a big-name high-volume automaker when it came time for a new car. Even though some of the brands former Pontiac owners moved to are quite different than Pontiac was, they’re almost all affordable, mass produced and supported by huge dealer networks.

Gallery: In the Autoblog Garage: 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP

[Source: RL Polk via Kicking Tires]

Study: Pontiac drivers mainly sticking with GM originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Mar 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2011: IED Scorp-Ion design study electrifies Abarth’s future

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Geneva Motor Show, Fiat, Electric

IED Abarth Scorpion

IED Abarth Scorp-Ion – Click above for high-res image gallery

Every division in the sprawling Fiat empire had something new to unveil at the Geneva Motor Show this year. Starting at the top, Ferrari presented the new FF. Maserati had the GranCabrio Sport, Alfa Romeo wowed with the 4C Concept, Lancia debuted the new Ypsilon and the Fiat brand itself presented two new variations on the 500 theme with the Gucci edition and the stunning Zagato coupe. Even its transatlantic partners in Auburn Hills were represented. The only one that was left out, really, was the Abarth sub-brand. Or was it?

The marque’s own show stand showcased the existing range (plus a new junior formula racing program), but there was a new Abarth on display across the hall at the IED booth. Previously, the students at the Istituto Europeo di Design gave us the dramatic Maserati Chicane concept, and this year they teamed up with Abarth for the Scorp-Ion. Emphasizing the “ion” in the name, the design study calls for an all-electric drivetrain, decentralized to each wheel and leaving extra space for baggage and two seats. The styling, meanwhile, is pure F-Zero from our childhood Super Nintendo days.

Check it out for yourself in our gallery of live shots from the show floor below and find the full details in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: IED Abarth Scorpion: Geneva 2011

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Geneva 2011: IED Scorp-Ion design study electrifies Abarth’s future originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Study: Average lifetime car insurance costs estimated at $84,000

Filed under: Etc., Safety

Iggy Pop car insurance bus ad

Unless you live in New Hampshire, here in the States, you’re required to have some form of car insurance covering your vehicle. The annual cost to insure a car depends on an array of factors ranging from the type of vehicle to where you live to your driving record. You undoubtedly know what you pay for insurance on an annual or monthly basis, but do you know how much you will end up paying over the course of your driving life? According to Insurance.com, the average person will spend $84,388.

What does ‘average’ mean in the context of this study? In this case, researchers assume that you first insure your own vehicle at 21 years old, get married at 27, insure two teenagers for a few years and then stop driving when you turn 75. That passage of time is filled with a variety of claims, including accidents and other incidents that get sent across your insurance agent’s desk.

Predictably, Insurance.com offers up a few suggestions for cutting your overall coverage expenses. Some are easier said than done (avoid traffic tickets) while others might actually be fun (defensive driving course). Check out the company’s press release for the full details after the jump.

[Source: Insurance.com | Image: Flickr/jcrakow via CC2.0]

Continue reading Study: Average lifetime car insurance costs estimated at $84,000

Study: Average lifetime car insurance costs estimated at $84,000 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Feb 2011 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Study: Auto industry second most-trusted behind Tech

Filed under: Etc.

Edelman 2011 Trust Barometer

According to The Car Connection, a new study has found that the automotive industry is the second most trusted business in the world just behind technology. The research was conducted as part of the Edelman 2011 Trust Barometer and included results from 5,075 people in 23 countries. Each of the respondents were between 25 and 64 years old, held a college degree and were also in the top 25 percent of household income for their age group. Each participant was asked a series of questions concerning businesses, government and the media, especially concerning whether or not individuals trusted those entities to “do what’s right.”

Around 81 percent of those surveyed said that they trusted the technology sector to do the right thing (whatever that may be), compared to the automotive industry’s 69 percent. In fact, carmakers beat out 14 other industries including food and beverage, energy, pharmaceuticals, media and biotech. Why? The Car Connection seems to think the findings are coupled to the automotive industry’s underdog presence thanks to bankruptcies and massive recalls around the globe, while the greater push for green technologies and a rampant social media presence likely play a part as well.

[Source: The Car Connection]

Study: Auto industry second most-trusted behind Tech originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Feb 2011 18:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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