Image Consideration and Tracking Research Lists Hyundai Higher than Nine Manufacturers

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. – May 9, 2007 – AutoPacific, an automotive consulting firm, reported Hyundai had the largest opinion improvement among nine manufacturers in its initial wave of Image and Consideration Tracking Research. 

AutoPacific analysts stated, “The surprise (or not so surprising) winner of the most improved manufacturer was Hyundai Motor Corporation.  Comments surrounding the performance of Hyundai gave Hyundai credit for substantially improved styling, newly-found high durability/quality/reliability, a strong value message and a great warranty program.  Positive comments outweighed negative comments by about four to one.”

Nine manufacturers were evaluated including, General Motors, Toyota, Ford Motor, Chrysler Group, Nissan, Honda, Hyundai, VW, and BMW.  1,254 panelists responded to an Internet survey concerning their opinion of automakers in the USA. The key question in the survey was whether the respondent's opinion of a manufacturer had changed since this time last year.  Over 5,000 verbatim comments were collected in relation to opinion and attitude toward various aspects of a manufacturer’s image.  

“In 2006, JD Power and Associates ranked Hyundai as the highest non-premium nameplate in its Initial Quality Study and BusinessWeek named us a top ‘100 Global Brand’ for 2006,” said John Krafcik, vice president of Strategic Planning and Product Development, Hyundai Motor America.  “AutoPacific’s report that Hyundai now has the largest opinion improvement over nine competing manufacturers is another example of how Hyundai is continuing to improve brand image through its commitment to quality and value.”

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 750 dealerships nationwide.

AUTOPACIFIC
AutoPacific is a future-oriented automotive marketing and product-consulting firm with headquarters in Tustin, California, with an affiliate office in the Detroit area.  AutoPacific specializes in the analysis and research of the automobile industry.  For over almost twenty years, AutoPacific has served the automotive industry with expertise in product development, product planning, marketing and consumer research.