1958 Thunderbird

COTY award

In 1949, Motor Trend became the first U.S. magazine to offer a Car of the Year award. For the next 50 years, it was handed out to domestic vehicles only (an Import Car of the Year category was established in 1970 and the two were combined for the 2000 award year).

As hindsight is inevitably 20/20, it’s easy to knock some of the past recipients, such as the 1971 Chevrolet Vega (with its engine block design that led to a history of head gasket failures), the 1980 Chevrolet Citation (that set a new standard in fwd-induced torque steer) and the 1983 AMC/Renault Alliance (which has been universally acknowledged to have been perhaps the magazine’s greatest faux pas).

But that being said, the Motor Trend Car of the Year award has also been bestowed on many of the most historically significant vehicles to grace our roads, including the 1958 Ford Thunderbird, the 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado, the 1968 Pontiac GTO, the 1985 Volkswagen GTI, the 1998 Chevrolet Corvette and the 2005 Chrysler 300.

2010 nominees

For 2010, there were 23 contenders for the Motor Trend COTY award. As usual, vehicle eligibility is determined by a totally new or substantial redesign and all vehicles must have been available for sale between now and November 1st of the previous year. The list for 2010 was comprised of the following vehicles:

BMW 7 Series
BMW Z4
Buick LaCrosse
Chevrolet Camaro
Ford Mustang
Ford Fusion
Ford Taurus /SHO
Honda Insight
Hyundai Genesis Coupe
Kia Forte Koup
Kia Soul
Lexus HS 250h
Mazda3
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan
Nissan 370Z
Nissan Cube
Porsche Panamera
Subaru Legacy
Suzuki Kizashi
Toyota Prius
Volkswagen Golf /GTI
Volkswagen Routan

2010 Ford Fusion

In a first-ever live webcast event, Motor Trend announced this afternoon that the entire 2010 Ford Fusion model line had taken the honors for the 2010 Motor Trend Car of the Year.

“Ford has proven its resilience in these tough times by delivering to market a car with broad appeal to a broad range of consumers,” said Angus MacKenzie, MOTOR TREND editor-in-chief. “The Fusion range has matured into a competitive roster of midsize sedans, able to compete with sales juggernauts such as the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. It is no surprise the Fusion now ranks in the top 10 best-selling cars in America.”

Mark Fields, Angus MacKenzie, Derrick Kuzak

There to receive the award for Ford Motor Company was a plethora of executives from the company, including Mark Fields, executive vice president of the company and president, The Americas.

“The MOTOR TREND Car of the Year award is another testament of our commitment to delivering a world-class car lineup,” said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Ford Global Product Development, who accepted the golden calipers on behalf of the Ford team. “Whether it is the best-in-class fuel economy or quality unsurpassed by Toyota or Honda, the Fusion and Fusion Hybrid are clear evidence that Ford is serious about our car lineup.”

Bigger than a breadbox, better than a toaster

May of us are big fans of small cars here at LotPro.com. But just like their bigger brethren, the small cars that most excite us are those that go above and beyond the run-of-the-mill transport appliances that seem to be the mission of so many.

Two manufacturers that regularly peg the fun needle to “full” are Mazda and BMW’s MINI brand. Mazda has taken its “zoom-zoom” philosophy to heart by building small, zippy, affordable vehicles that rival those costing nearly twice as much from other automakers.

At the same time, BMW’s MINI division has resurrected a brand and brought a whole new level of style and luxury (at least here in the U.S.) to the minicompact segment.

Both automakers were in the spotlight this past week as BMW finally revealed its MINI Roadster Concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show and Mazda detailed its plans to bring the Mazda2 to the U.S.

MINI Roadster Concept

We’ll start first with the sizzle. Prior to its unveiling, BMW had already confirmed that the MINI Roadster is slated to be produced alongside the current Hatch, Clubman and Convertible at the company’s Plant Oxford at the same time the MINI Coupé version will begin its model run.

But why produce a roadster when the MINI lineup already features a convertible? The obvious answer is the fact that, sans the rear seats, the MINI Roadster Concept allows for more storage room (who sits back there in the convertible, anyway?), and that in top-down mode, the look of the new MINI is far more appealing (the top stows neatly away as opposed to being stacked, accordion-like, behind the rear seats). As an added bonus, losing the rear seats means that the trunk now contains 8.8 cubic feet of storage space (up from 5.7 in the sedan and 6.0 in the convertible).

Mazda2

Earlier this week, Mazda North America president Jim O’Sullivan announced that the company would be selling its B-segment Mazda2 here in the U.S. beginning late next year.

“You’ve asked us for it for a while now, and we’ve been studying the market to make sure we can make a business case for it across North America,” O’Sullivan told the assembled dealers. “As consumers’ tastes and attitudes toward small vehicles have changed, we now believe strongly there is a place in our lineup for a car below our current least-expensive car, the MAZDA3. MAZDA2 will be true to everything that makes our cars stand apart from the competition: it will be stylish, fun-to-drive and a heck of a value. In short, it will be Zoom-Zoom.”

With Ford bringing its Fiesta over here next year and the fact that the two vehicles share the same basic architecture, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to come to the conclusion that, with the current dearth of  imaginative products in the B-segment available to American buyers, it makes sense to bring the Mazda2 to market over here, as well.

No further details were released, other than to note that the Mazda2 will make its debut at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show.

Small and nifty

Even though the price of gas has hovered around $2.50 this summer, most of us here at LotPro.com don’t believe for a minute that it will stay this low forever. It turns out that most of the world’s automobile manufacturers also agree with us (either that or they’re being chased into a corner by the latest government mandates and we’d prefer to give them the benefit of the doubt).

To that end, many of the world premieres at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show were either electric/hybrid concept vehicles, or superb new small cars blessed with new engine technologies that promise to deliver 40+ mpg nearly immediately.

2010 Fiat Punto Evo

With Chrysler’s last best hope destined to begin to arrive from the mother ship in Italy within the next 2 years, keeping a weather eye on Fiat has become de rigueur for American motor journalists and car buyers alike and, hence, our interest in the Punto Evo.

If the lovely little 500 is the company’s halo car, then the Grande Punto represents Fiat’s high-volume sedan. This year, Fiat upgraded the interior materials and blessed the rechristened Punto Evo with seven airbags and a face-lifted front end, as well as new taillamps. If you squint real hard, you can almost visualize a Chrysler emblem above the new grille. The guys in Auburn Hills should be chomping at the bit to get this one.

2010 Fiat 500 Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari

Fiat started with a 500 Abarth – itself no slouch – and added Scuderia Red paint, 17 inch grey alloy wheels and a host of carbon-fiber trim pieces including mirror housings and front seat shells. The interior boasts leather trim, including the red steering wheel wrap (paddles behind the wheel control the manumatic transmission), and the pint-sized 1.4-liter four gets an extra dose of horsepower (50, to be precise).

2011 Ford C-Max

Based on the same architecture as the European Ford Focus (and our own Mazda3/5 vehicles here in the U.S.), the C-Max represents the production version of the Iosis Max Concept that Ford revealed at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year.

While Europe will be able to buy this latest version sometime in the latter part of next year, there is no word yet on whether the company plans on bringing it over here.

2012 Ford Grand C-Max

If Ford is still unsure about bringing over the C-Max, American small car buffs should take heart in the fact that there is no such vacillation when it comes to the Grand C-Max. Based on the platform that spawned the versatile Mazda5, the “Grande” Max will feature the same sliding rear doors with room for seven – although, just as in the Mazda5, the rear seat is reserved for either two children or two consenting adults.

Expect to see the Grand C-Max in Ford showrooms here in the states sometime in late 2011.

Mazda

2010 Mazda Mazda3 Hatchback

For the Detroit Show, Mazda unveiled the new hatchback design as well as bringing along the more conventional (for Mazda) sedan unveiled at this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show.

The first generation Mazda3 has always been a favorite vehicle of ours here at LotPro.com. Its combination of good looks, high quality, great fuel economy and class-leading handling have made this smallest of Mazda’s sedans a favorite not only here in the U.S., but worldwide as well – accounting for almost 2 million sales and one out of every 3 Mazda’s sold since its inception.

According to Program Manager Yoshiyuki Maeda, “We had no intention of merely protecting the position we held. Instead, our task was to keep the target moving for our competitors by further exceeding customer expectations.  Our goal was to create a sport compact capable of advancing driving pleasure to new heights.  This is the essence of Mazda’s Sustainable Zoom-Zoom credo and what separates our company and our products from other cars and brands.”

Yoskiyuki, you did good. Based on the same architecture as the first-generation 3, the second generation boasts two completely-new body styles as well as a new interior design. Unmistakably Mazdas, the new sedan and hatchback receive styling cues from the RX-8 as well as the 2009 Mazda6 as the company moves toward a “unified family face.” A subtle wedge shape as well as sculpted hood, fender and side surfaces give both new 3’s a sophisticated, sporty flavor.

Honda

2010 Honda Insight Hybrid

Making its world debut at the Detroit Show, the 2010 Insight Hybrid is, in our opinion, one of the top 3 production vehicles unveiled at NAIAS – the other 2 being the 2010 Ford Taurus and the 2010 Toyota Prius.

Setting its sights on the Prius, the Insight promises to be the lowest-priced hybrid sold in America, undercutting Toyota’s best-seller as well as its sibling, the Civic Hybrid when it becomes available sometime in April of this year.

Powered by a 1.3 liter SOHC all-aluminum i-VTEC (variable valve timing and electronic lift control) engine mated to a continuously-variable transmission, the Insight uses Honda’s IMA (integrated motor assist) hybrid system that incorporates a 13 hp electric motor and Intelligent Power Unit. This system stores kinetic energy recaptured during braking and deceleration. It also supplies additional electric power – as needed – for acceleration. Total horsepower is 98 and fuel economy figures are 40 mpg city/43 mpg highway.

Outside, the five-door sedan receives styling cues first employed on the FCX Clarity hydrogen fuel cell vehicle currently in use in California. Inside, Honda’s newest friend of the tree-huggers features what the company calls its “Ecological Drive Assist System.” Using multiple plant-leaf graphics, it encourages drivers to “turn over a new leaf”, as it were, by growing leaves as a reward for frugal driving behavior. In addition, the background of the upper-dash-mounted digital speedometer changes from lime green (the best) through a series of hues to deep indigo blue(the worst), depending on your driving habits.

Just over ten years ago, Lincoln was the top-selling luxury brand in America. But shortly after that, the division fell on hard times. Eclipsed by Lexus and cross-town rival Cadillac, Ford’s luxury marque was all but given up for dead. But much like a Rocky movie (we hope you’re thinking of the first one), the carmaker has, once again, picked itself up from the mat and is back in the fight with a string of recent hits.

But the luxury and near-luxury car markets are moving targets and the fight can only be won with fresh, new product. So this year’s Detroit Auto Show saw the brand ready to continue the string of new products with the following offerings:

2010 Lincoln MKZ

With a complete redesign for 2010, the MKZ no longer looks like the red-headed stepchild of the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan. The all-new interior is luxurious and is trimmed in real wood and aluminum and includes the latest version of the Microsoft-developed Sync® infotainment system.

Outside, the MKZ borrows design cues from the stunning MKR concept with Lincoln’s new signature waterfall grill as well as wide horizontal LED tail lamps.

2010 Lincoln MKS EcoBoost

Shakespeare once said “if music be the food of love, play on.” If Bill were around today and he had a chance to drive the new EcoBoost-equipped Lincoln MKS, he might very well say, “if EcoBoost is what being green is all about, I like it!”

The latest V-6 from Ford certainly doesn’t act like one. This twin-turbocharged, 3.5 liter direct-injected powerplant produces 355 hp and 350 lb.-ft. of torque and Ford expects it to produce EPA numbers of 16 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. The engine will be mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission and the entire package will only be available with all-wheel drive versions of the MKS.

2010 Lincoln MKT

Sales of the all-new MKT crossover will begin later on this summer. Based on the same vehicle architecture that spawned the Ford Flex, the MKT will be available in either six or seven-passenger configurations.

Up front, the new crossover sports Lincoln’s trademark waterfall grill while the stern features a full-width horizontal tail lamp. Engine choices include a 3.7 liter 268 horsepower V-6 as well as the aforementioned 3.5 liter EcoBoost engine (again, with all-wheel drive only).

The MKT comes with a slew of standard amenities including 20 GB hard drive for music storage, heated and cooled front seats, ambient lighting, panoramic moon roof and Ford’s new reverse-sensing parking assist system.

Lincoln C Concept

We must not be in Kansas anymore, because the C Concept represents the first look at what might be a future C segment vehicle in the Lincoln lineup.

Based on the same vehicle architecture as the European Ford Focus and the Mazda3, the C shows what direction Lincoln might take if it were to expand its horizon to include smaller and more city and eco friendly vehicles.

Much of the design is typical concept vehicle “kitsch” with suicide doors, floating seats and DUB-inspired 20” wheels. The bustle-back look is reminiscent of recent Renault M´egane models, although the placement of the full-width tail lamp just above the shoulder line is all Lincoln.

While much of the detailing is the stuff of dreams, the fact that the C is based on current Ford technology means that the company could be seriously considering entering the segment a` la the MINI.

The good folks at Kelley Blue book are finishing up another year where their site, www.kbb.com, saw over 140 million unique visitors for the third year in a row. During these “visits”, people looked at cars, cars and more cars. But what were they looking at? “The site traffic on Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com demonstrates what is on the minds of today’s new-car shoppers, especially when examining the most-researched new-vehicles of 2008,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book and kbb.com. “Continued interest in Honda and Toyota, Chevrolet’s home-run Malibu redesign and an increase in visits to more fuel-efficient, economical vehicles is an accurate reflection of the marketplace in 2008.”

So how does your “best” list stack up against the visitors to the Kelley site? Here, in alphabetical order, are the top 20 searches. Want to know the order of finish? See if you can guess and it’s listed at the end of the article.

Chevrolet

Malibu

Chevrolet division (and General Motors) had just one model in the KBB top 20 list this year and it was an important one. Voted the North American Car of the Year, the new Malibu is an important step for the General in the climb back to engineering, styling and quality prominence in the world market.

Ford

Escape
Mustang

Ford brand has two vehicles on the list with both the Escape SUV and the Mustang. The Escape represents Ford’s most fuel-efficient sport utility with the new Escape Hybrid delivering 20 mpg on the city cycle and 28 mpg on the highway. Meanwhile the Mustang, Ford’s iconic pony car, is set to celebrate its 45th anniversary in April of 2009.

Honda

Accord
Civic
CR-V
Fit
Odyssey
Pilot

Honda lands in second place in the nameplate segment with six vehicles on KBB’s 2008 list – reflecting the brand’s high marks in quality, fuel efficiency and resale value.

Mazda

Mazda3

Mazda’s smaller “zoom-zoom” sedan makes it on the list and is also a perennial favorite with the enthusiast press. Not only does the 3 run circles around most of its peers, it also offers outstanding gas mileage.

MINI

MINI Cooper

The MINI Cooper may finally put the rest the notion that you can’t sell a premium small car in the United States. Equipped with the base 1.6 liter 4-cylinder engine, the MINI achieves 28 mpg city/37 mpg highway with a 6-speed manual transmission.

Nissan

Altima

Nissan’s mid-size entry offers a choice of two body styles – coupe and sedan – as well as the choice of a 2.5 liter 4-cylinder engine, a 3.5 liter V-6 as well as a hybrid powertrain option available only on the sedan.

Toyota

Camry
Corolla
Highlander
Prius
RAV4
Sienna
Yaris

Toyota garners first place in the manufacturer’s category with 7 entries. You can say what you will about bland interiors and middle-of-the-road handling, but the Japanese firm’s reputation for quality and reliability keep it at the top.

Volkswagen

Jetta

The re-introduction of a diesel in the form of the clean-burning, fuel-efficient (30 city/41 highway mpg) Jetta TDI had a lot to do with raising the German brand’s awareness above and beyond “fahrvergnügen” as Green Car Journal’s 2009 Green Car of the Year.

The winning order:

1.    Honda Civic
2.    Honda Accord
3.    Toyota Camry
4.    Toyota Corolla
5.    Nissan Altima
6.    Honda CR-V
7.    Toyota Prius
8.    Toyota Highlander
9.    Toyota RAV4
10.    Mazda3
11.    Toyota Yaris
12.    Ford Escape
13.    Honda Odyssey
14.    Honda Pilot
15.    Honda Fit
16.    Ford Mustang
17.    Chevrolet Malibu
18.    Toyota Sienna
19.    MINI Cooper
20.    Volkswagen Jetta

Yes it’s a popularity contest

It’s getting on towards the end of another year, which means that those of us here at LotPro.com can report with a relative degree of accuracy those models with the largest number of searches for the year. We also know that wading through 50 different models might seem like a large pain. But look at it this way, with fifty different vehicles to pick from, there’s a good chance that at least one of them might also be on your “best” list, too.

So here, in alphabetical order, are the top 50 searches. Want to know the top 2? See if you can guess (they’re listed at the end of the article).

Chevrolet Aveo

Chevrolet

Aveo
Impala
Silverado 1500
Tahoe

Chevrolet division had 4 models in our top 50 list this year. The Aveo, from the General’s Daewoo partnership, is one of the highest-mileage vehicles in the U.S. The Impala also offers a lot of bank for the buck in addition to great fuel economy, while the Silverado and the Tahoe both made late recoveries from mid-year sales slides.

Chrysler 300

Chrysler

300-series

The lone Chrysler entry was the 300-series – one of the few domestic full-size vehicles with a sense of style.

Dodge Challenger

Dodge

Avenger
Challenger
Charger
Ram 1500
Ram 2500

Dodge hits the list with the Avenger, the new Challenger, the Charger and both the half ton and three quarter ton Ram.

Ford F-150

Ford

Escape
Explorer
F-150
F-250 Super Duty
Focus
Mustang
Ranger

Ford brand has seven vehicles on the list with both the Escape and Explorer SUV’s, the Focus and Mustang passenger vehicles as well as three trucks – the Ranger, the F-150 and the F-250 Super Duty.

Honda Fit

Honda

Accord Coupe
Accord Sedan
Civic Coupe
Civic Hybrid
Civic Sedan
CR-V
Fit
Odyssey
Pilot

Honda ties for first place in the nameplate segment with nine entries including the Accord (2 versions), Civic (3 versions), the Fit, the CR-V, the Odyssey and the Pilot.

Hyundai Elantra

Hyundai

Accent
Elantra

Hyundai places with both the Accent and the Elantra sedans. While neither vehicle breaks any new ground, both represent Hyundai’s mantra of affordable transportation with excellent fuel economy.

Jeep Wrangler

Jeep

Wrangler

Jeep hits the list with the Wrangler, the Dorian Gray of sport utility vehicles.

Kia Rio

Kia

Rio

Kia’s most affordable sedan, the Rio, is also its best-selling vehicle – a big reason why it’s on the list.

Mazda Mazda3

Mazda

Mazda3
Mazda6

Both of Mazda’s “zoom-zoom” sedans made the list for 2008.

Nissan Altima

Nissan

Altima
Maxima
Murano
Rogue
Versa

Nissan placed three sedans – the Altima, Maxima and Versa – in the top 50 as well as SUV’s the Rogue and its big brother the Murano.

Scion tC

Scion

tC

By any other name a Toyota, the tC was also one of our top 50 searches.

Toyota Corolla

Toyota

Camry
Camry Hybrid
Corolla
FJ Cruiser
Prius
RAV4
Sienna
Tacoma
Yaris

Toyota ties for first in the nameplate division with 9 entries and wins the manufacturer’s category (10 including Scion) with 5 passenger cars, 2 SUV’s, 1 truck and 1 van.

And the winners are

Congratulations to the Ford F-150 which placed first overall and the Nissan Altima, which took second place.

A light at the end of the tunnel

It seems that most of the news, lately, concerning the 2009 North American International Auto Show (the Detroit Auto Show for many of us who have been around long enough to remember) has been, shall we say, less than exuberant. With 7 manufacturers taking a pass (including Nissan/Infiniti), organizers have had to resort to calling up the Chinese from the minors (read: the basement) in order to fill the park.

So it had to be with some sense of relief when they heard the news that Mazda would be showcasing the new Mazda3 sedan (unveiled earlier this year at the L.A. Auto Show) along with its 5-door brother that has yet to see the shores of North America, having been revealed at the Bologna Motor Show just 2 weeks ago.

New Mazda3

According to Mazda3 Program Manager Yoshiyuki Maeda, “”We were determined to advance the Zoom-Zoom driving experience to new heights because that unique feeling lies at the very heart of Mazda. On the heels of the original MAZDA3’s success, we aimed to again exceed the expectations of customers all over the world by a wide margin. This meant providing drivers with a sense of exhilaration whether they were in motion, seated in the MAZDA3’s cockpit, or enjoying its appearance from outside.”

Mission accomplished. Based on the same architecture as the first-generation 3, the second generation boasts a completely-new body and interior design. Unmistakably a Mazda, the new sedan receives styling cues from the RX-8 as well as the 2009 Mazda6 as the company moves toward a “unified family face.” A subtle wedge shape as well as sculpted hood, fender and side surfaces give the new 3 a sophisticated, sporty flavor.

To give this flavor substance, a new Adaptive Front Lighting System with self-leveling bi-xenon headlamps has been added as standard equipment on Grand Touring models – the first compact offered for sale in the U.S. with such an advanced lighting system.

Inside, front seat cushions have been extended by nearly an inch for improved thigh support while backrests are taller by almost an inch and a half and have been recontoured for improved driving posture. In another first for its segment, on vehicles equipped with power seats, a three-position memory function has been added and, on approach to the car, the left-front seat will automatically adjust to the settings chosen by up to 3 different drivers by recognizing the code of the key fob.

It’s all about the zoom-zoom

The first generation 3 was a perennial leader in its segment due to its handling and road presence and the new version promises more of the same. The base engine, with 148 hp and 135 lb.-ft. of torque is a carry-over from the previous generation. Uplevel models will benefit from Mazda’s new MZR 2.5 liter I-4 borrowed from the new 2009 Mazda6 with an output of 167 hp and maximum torque of 168 lb.-ft. Putting this power to the pavement is a 5-speed manual in the base “i” version and a 6-speed manual for the uplevel “s”. An optional 5-speed automatic is available for both trim levels.

Kia Amanti

 Economic Concerns and “Change” Produce New Car Buying Perceptions of Total Value

Here at LotPro.com, we can remember the time when car buying decisions were based on whether you were a Ford guy, a GM (specifically Chevy, Buick, Pontiac, etc.) guy or a Chrysler guy. But let’s face it; if you can remember that far back, you are officially an “old” guy.

In today’s auto sales climate, quality and the perception of that quality have become more important than ever. J.D. Power started it all in 1981 with the company released its first Customer Satisfaction survey (Power calls it an Index) and again in 1987 when it released the automotive Initial Quality Study. Since that time, a number of companies have thrown their hats into the ring and have come up with their own unique methods of measuring customer loyalty and their perceptions of vehicle quality.

For its part, San Diego-based Strategic Vision has come up with its own matrix in evaluation customer perceptions of vehicle quality and brand loyalty. What follows is the company’s latest press release:

New Mazda3

For immediate release – Monday, November 10, 2008

San Diego – Strategic Vision today announced its 2008 Total Value Index® (TVI). TVI Scores fell across all brands reflecting economic concerns. During times of economic difficulties, automotive customers will examine the Total Value of potential vehicle choices with greater discrimination.

This greater customer scrutiny of automotive products will lead to new opportunities across all brands for the future. Customers are looking to the products to find the cues of quality that denote long term value with the best pricing, even among luxury vehicles. “When economic conditions become more favorable, the manufacturers who have focused their efforts in enhancing product quality and communicating messages of trustworthy products and overall value will be in a position to regain and even take over new market share,” reports Alexander Edwards, Strategic Vision’s president of automotive.

The economy has affected more than just the consumer’s willingness to spend money. As customers are bombarded with gloomy financial news on almost all fronts: stock markets down and fluctuating wildly, homes in foreclosure, plants closing and corporations laying off personnel, every decision has to be weighed against the individual consumer’s personal standard for Security. A vehicle purchased today must withstand even more demanding scrutiny. As a result, TVI brand scores are down across the board with a one notable exception. Pontiac made a stunning 25 point advance in TVI scores by combining competitive pricing with perceived interior quality. The Pontiac G6 is a good example of how Pontiac has exceeded customer expectations with price, value and interior quality cues.

Toyota Motor Sales is still the company to beat in customer value, although the Toyota brand was part of the overall trend of falling TVI Scores. Toyota Motor Sales has had 30 leaders in TVI over the past four years. In 2008, they add an astounding ten more: seven for Toyota (Yaris hatchback, Prius, Solara Convertible, RAV4, 4Runner, Sequoia and Tundra) and three for the Lexus (IS250/350, LS and RX400 Hybrid). Toyota’s consistent foundational messages of quality and reliability delivered over many years have generated consumer trust in Toyota products. “This trust is a crucial first step to success in today’s market,” says Dr. Darrel Edwards, Founder and CEO of Strategic Vision.

Ironically, Toyota’s strong perceived reliability and durability expectations may slow Toyota’s sales during this economic slowdown. Customers may begin to evaluate if now is the right time to purchase a new vehicle and many Toyota and Lexus buyers may decide to “put off” the purchase of their next vehicle and wait for more favorable economic conditions.

 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible

General Motors did well in Total Value with four segment leaders. Chevrolet’s strong tradition of value in both the sports car fun of the Corvette and the hardworking practicality of the Tahoe and Sierra were recognized. American Honda (with the Accord, Coupe, Odyssey and Ridgeline – all 2007 leaders) and Volkswagen of America (with the A3, Q7 and Passat Wagon) each had three models leading in their segments. Mazda is also worthy of mention as customers felt that they have received the “zoom-zoom” for their money in the Mazda3 Sedan and CX-9.

Buyers rated the following vehicles top in Total Value (TVI) in their segments:

The calculation of TVI begins with explicit statements that owners make about value (e.g. expected reliability, expected fuel economy, price paid, expected resale value, etc.). TVI then incorporates the importance of the variables that make up the ownership experience, and it is here that Strategic Vision finds “True Value” — the worth of the attribute weighed against the costs.

 IRVINE, Calif. - Mazda Motor Corporation has confirmed that the sedan version of the all-new MAZDA3 (known as Mazda Axela in Japan), fully redesigned for the first time in five years, will be revealed at the Los Angeles Auto Show on November 19, 2008.

The covers will be pulled off during Mazda’s press conference at 12:20 p.m. (local time) revealing the all-new MAZDA3, the latest evolution of Mazda’s Zoom-Zoom spirit.

Every element of the all-new MAZDA3 has been developed for heightened exhilaration, with a more refined sporty ride, top-class fuel economy and quietness. Environmental and safety features, based on Mazda’s long-term “Sustainable Zoom-Zoom” vision, aim to achieve a balance with fun-to-drive. Add in a new expressive face and Mazda’s dynamic design elements, and the all-new MAZDA3 is everything a driver could ask for in a sports compact.

The brand-new version of Mazda’s best-selling sports compact carries forward the heritage of Mazda and the pedigree of the current MAZDA3. Since its launch in 2003, the current MAZDA3 has sold approx. 1.8 million vehicles  in over 100 countries and has won more than 90 global motoring awards to date. The MAZDA3 accounts for almost one in three Mazdas sold every year.

Following the world debut of the North American specification sedan with 2.0- and 2.5-liter engines at the show, the five-door hatchback version will be revealed in line with Mazda’s global sales schedule.