Comments on: Consumer Reports: Perception is the New Reality http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/consumer-reports-perception-is-the-new-reality/ The Truth About Cars is dedicated to providing candid, unbiased automobile reviews and the latest in auto industry news. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 01:30:54 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Voice of Sweden http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/consumer-reports-perception-is-the-new-reality/comment-page-1/#comment-99445 Voice of Sweden Thu, 17 Jan 2008 00:07:10 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/news-blog/consumer-reports-perception-is-the-new-reality/#comment-99445 I'm not 100% sure but the chance is high that Volvo uses SSAB-products, see "Docal" and "Dogal". And they are in good company with Porsche whom I am certain uses SSAB steel. http://www.ssab.com/templates/Ordinary____569.aspx I've got som theories why the US "don't get" Audi, but that's for later. I’m not 100% sure but the chance is high that Volvo uses SSAB-products, see “Docal” and “Dogal”. And they are in good company with Porsche whom I am certain uses SSAB steel.

http://www.ssab.com/templates/Ordinary____569.aspx

I’ve got som theories why the US “don’t get” Audi, but that’s for later.

]]> By: crackers http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/consumer-reports-perception-is-the-new-reality/comment-page-1/#comment-99171 crackers Wed, 16 Jan 2008 13:56:16 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/news-blog/consumer-reports-perception-is-the-new-reality/#comment-99171 Acura has tried to position themselves as an automotive technology leader, something the general public doesn't really care about. Acura has tried to position themselves as an automotive technology leader, something the general public doesn’t really care about.

]]> By: Michael Karesh http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/consumer-reports-perception-is-the-new-reality/comment-page-1/#comment-99170 Michael Karesh Wed, 16 Jan 2008 13:49:31 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/news-blog/consumer-reports-perception-is-the-new-reality/#comment-99170 Good to see they used a random sample for this one, as you really need a random sample when studying general perceptions. Quite the frothy topic, it's interesting to read how they try to make sense out of the results -- then refer people to their regular content for truly useful info. Is this the first such study from CR, or have their been others? I wonder what it signifies that they conducted a survey they did not rely on their membership. Maybe it was a one-off conducted for PR purposes. Maybe it's the first of many. Good to see they used a random sample for this one, as you really need a random sample when studying general perceptions. Quite the frothy topic, it’s interesting to read how they try to make sense out of the results — then refer people to their regular content for truly useful info.

Is this the first such study from CR, or have their been others? I wonder what it signifies that they conducted a survey they did not rely on their membership. Maybe it was a one-off conducted for PR purposes. Maybe it’s the first of many.

]]> By: Redbarchetta http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/consumer-reports-perception-is-the-new-reality/comment-page-1/#comment-98037 Redbarchetta Fri, 11 Jan 2008 14:26:09 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/news-blog/consumer-reports-perception-is-the-new-reality/#comment-98037 <em>jthorner-”Now can someone explain to me exactly what ANY of the domestic CAR brands has stood consistent for over decades?”</em> They stand for getting the most profit with the least amount of work out of the customer(or 'suckers' as they like to refer to them). jthorner-”Now can someone explain to me exactly what ANY of the domestic CAR brands has stood consistent for over decades?”

They stand for getting the most profit with the least amount of work out of the customer(or ’suckers’ as they like to refer to them).

]]> By: Bunter1 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/consumer-reports-perception-is-the-new-reality/comment-page-1/#comment-98030 Bunter1 Fri, 11 Jan 2008 12:00:49 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/news-blog/consumer-reports-perception-is-the-new-reality/#comment-98030 jthorner-"Now can someone explain to me exactly what ANY of the domestic CAR brands has stood consistent for over decades?" T-R-U-C-K-S Yes, you said CAR. They still stand for trucks. jthorner-”Now can someone explain to me exactly what ANY of the domestic CAR brands has stood consistent for over decades?”

T-R-U-C-K-S

Yes, you said CAR. They still stand for trucks.

]]> By: jthorner http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/consumer-reports-perception-is-the-new-reality/comment-page-1/#comment-98024 jthorner Fri, 11 Jan 2008 05:48:17 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/news-blog/consumer-reports-perception-is-the-new-reality/#comment-98024 An interesting brand image study and the results are not terribly surprising. Volvo earned it's safety image through decades of work and advertising. BMW likewise has focused on the driving experience, forever. Honda often gives the most bang for the buck through their minimal options strategy. The top rank green perceptions of Toyota and Honda have everything to do with their pioneering work in hybrids. Honda also gets credit for consistently being the company which says "can-do" to tightening emissions standards. Through decades of work Toyota and Honda have established outstanding brands in the customer's mind for the things the average person cares most about. Toyota means great quality for the price. Honda means great value with near Toyota quality levels. Good for both, they are doing their jobs. Now can someone explain to me exactly what ANY of the domestic CAR brands has stood consistent for over decades? An interesting brand image study and the results are not terribly surprising. Volvo earned it’s safety image through decades of work and advertising. BMW likewise has focused on the driving experience, forever. Honda often gives the most bang for the buck through their minimal options strategy.

The top rank green perceptions of Toyota and Honda have everything to do with their pioneering work in hybrids. Honda also gets credit for consistently being the company which says “can-do” to tightening emissions standards.

Through decades of work Toyota and Honda have established outstanding brands in the customer’s mind for the things the average person cares most about. Toyota means great quality for the price. Honda means great value with near Toyota quality levels. Good for both, they are doing their jobs.

Now can someone explain to me exactly what ANY of the domestic CAR brands has stood consistent for over decades?

]]> By: Samir Syed http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/consumer-reports-perception-is-the-new-reality/comment-page-1/#comment-97982 Samir Syed Thu, 10 Jan 2008 23:01:35 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/news-blog/consumer-reports-perception-is-the-new-reality/#comment-97982 <em>And upscale small car = 3-series BMWs</em> That car is only "small" in America. And upscale small car = 3-series BMWs

That car is only “small” in America.

]]> By: slateslate http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/consumer-reports-perception-is-the-new-reality/comment-page-1/#comment-97926 slateslate Thu, 10 Jan 2008 19:49:49 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/news-blog/consumer-reports-perception-is-the-new-reality/#comment-97926 "We also have Acuras up here in Canada. In fact, we have at least one Acura model that’s unique to Canada: the CSX (formerly the EL). Apparently they feel that upscale small cars won’t appeal to Americans." uuuhhhh, the CSX is a Honda Civic with the "A" badge and leather seats. And upscale small car = 3-series BMWs which are too popular in Americaland. And Audi....no surprise...Audi should take lessons from Lexus on customer service (but not styling or driving dynamics). And Audi shouldn't have ended its 3-year free maintenance. “We also have Acuras up here in Canada. In fact, we have at least one Acura model that’s unique to Canada: the CSX (formerly the EL). Apparently they feel that upscale small cars won’t appeal to Americans.”

uuuhhhh, the CSX is a Honda Civic with the “A” badge and leather seats. And upscale small car = 3-series BMWs which are too popular in Americaland.

And Audi….no surprise…Audi should take lessons from Lexus on customer service (but not styling or driving dynamics).

And Audi shouldn’t have ended its 3-year free maintenance.

]]> By: AKM http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/consumer-reports-perception-is-the-new-reality/comment-page-1/#comment-97884 AKM Thu, 10 Jan 2008 17:57:06 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/news-blog/consumer-reports-perception-is-the-new-reality/#comment-97884 <em> BlisterInTheSun : </em> Wow, that's interesting. I wouldn't have thought (obviously)! BlisterInTheSun :

Wow, that’s interesting. I wouldn’t have thought (obviously)!

]]> By: RobertSD http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/consumer-reports-perception-is-the-new-reality/comment-page-1/#comment-97881 RobertSD Thu, 10 Jan 2008 17:48:04 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/news-blog/consumer-reports-perception-is-the-new-reality/#comment-97881 <i>Consumers consider friendliness to the environment (35 percent) to be more significant than styling (23 percent).</i> I think this explains the Prius... or could the sample be biased by Prius owners? Consumers consider friendliness to the environment (35 percent) to be more significant than styling (23 percent).

I think this explains the Prius… or could the sample be biased by Prius owners?

]]> By: Wunsch http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/consumer-reports-perception-is-the-new-reality/comment-page-1/#comment-97879 Wunsch Thu, 10 Jan 2008 17:43:43 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/news-blog/consumer-reports-perception-is-the-new-reality/#comment-97879 We also have Acuras up here in Canada. In fact, we have at least one Acura model that's unique to Canada: the CSX (formerly the EL). Apparently they feel that upscale small cars won't appeal to Americans. We also have Acuras up here in Canada. In fact, we have at least one Acura model that’s unique to Canada: the CSX (formerly the EL). Apparently they feel that upscale small cars won’t appeal to Americans.

]]> By: Bunter1 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/consumer-reports-perception-is-the-new-reality/comment-page-1/#comment-97874 Bunter1 Thu, 10 Jan 2008 17:36:14 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/news-blog/consumer-reports-perception-is-the-new-reality/#comment-97874 The domestics should keep in mind they squandered a 20 year free ride on "perception". People thought that "Japanese" = Junk until Detroit thought them the meaning of the word. Now they complain when "perception" doesn't change over night in their favor...even though they (esp. GM and the dog) are far from closing the reliability gap. (Ford is starting to get it n this area.) Whiner babies. The domestics should keep in mind they squandered a 20 year free ride on “perception”.

People thought that “Japanese” = Junk until Detroit thought them the meaning of the word.

Now they complain when “perception” doesn’t change over night in their favor…even though they (esp. GM and the dog) are far from closing the reliability gap. (Ford is starting to get it n this area.)

Whiner babies.

]]> By: carguy http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/consumer-reports-perception-is-the-new-reality/comment-page-1/#comment-97860 carguy Thu, 10 Jan 2008 17:20:24 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/news-blog/consumer-reports-perception-is-the-new-reality/#comment-97860 The Acura score comes as no surprise. There simply is not enough unique product content in Acura to keep the brand afloat in the US or spread it to the rest of the world. Unlike Inifinty they have not done enough to differentiate themselves from their parent company. The Acura score comes as no surprise. There simply is not enough unique product content in Acura to keep the brand afloat in the US or spread it to the rest of the world. Unlike Inifinty they have not done enough to differentiate themselves from their parent company.

]]> By: BlisterInTheSun http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/consumer-reports-perception-is-the-new-reality/comment-page-1/#comment-97845 BlisterInTheSun Thu, 10 Jan 2008 17:01:50 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/news-blog/consumer-reports-perception-is-the-new-reality/#comment-97845 RE: AKM "80s Volvos may have been much safer than other cars, but I just don’t think the difference is that big now." I was at a small auto body shop in southern Maryland where I witnessed a guy go through four carbide-tipped saw blades trying to cut a fender off of a smashed 2001 Volvo S80. He swore that the steel was harder than anything he had ever seen in 20+ years of auto body work; I asked if he typically used a sawsall to work on his customers valuable vehicles. RE: AKM

“80s Volvos may have been much safer than other cars, but I just don’t think the difference is that big now.”

I was at a small auto body shop in southern Maryland where I witnessed a guy go through four carbide-tipped saw blades trying to cut a fender off of a smashed 2001 Volvo S80. He swore that the steel was harder than anything he had ever seen in 20+ years of auto body work; I asked if he typically used a sawsall to work on his customers valuable vehicles.

]]> By: FunkyD http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/consumer-reports-perception-is-the-new-reality/comment-page-1/#comment-97831 FunkyD Thu, 10 Jan 2008 16:24:29 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/news-blog/consumer-reports-perception-is-the-new-reality/#comment-97831 Isn't "Acura" still an American marketing anomaly as these same cars are called Hondas outside the US? Isn’t “Acura” still an American marketing anomaly as these same cars are called Hondas outside the US?

]]> By: jimble http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/consumer-reports-perception-is-the-new-reality/comment-page-1/#comment-97815 jimble Thu, 10 Jan 2008 15:58:53 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/news-blog/consumer-reports-perception-is-the-new-reality/#comment-97815 This is just a tarted-up brand awareness survey. It's appalling that a supposed "non-profit" like Consumer Reports wasted money on something like this. The brands at the top are at the top primarily because they're popular and well-known, and the brands at the bottom are mostly obscure. The only big surprise is Buick, which I wouldn't expect to see quite so low in brand awareness. The most useful information here is that Honda needs to do something about its Acura brand. Maybe the general public doesn't realize Acura is a separate brand because they look so much like Hondas. This is just a tarted-up brand awareness survey. It’s appalling that a supposed “non-profit” like Consumer Reports wasted money on something like this. The brands at the top are at the top primarily because they’re popular and well-known, and the brands at the bottom are mostly obscure. The only big surprise is Buick, which I wouldn’t expect to see quite so low in brand awareness. The most useful information here is that Honda needs to do something about its Acura brand. Maybe the general public doesn’t realize Acura is a separate brand because they look so much like Hondas.

]]> By: Sherman Lin http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/consumer-reports-perception-is-the-new-reality/comment-page-1/#comment-97813 Sherman Lin Thu, 10 Jan 2008 15:57:10 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/news-blog/consumer-reports-perception-is-the-new-reality/#comment-97813 The perception term is one that is regularly thrown out, is in my opinion more a sour grapes attitude. If only JD Powers did 7 or 10 year durability and quality surveys. You might see a perfect match with CR. The perception term is one that is regularly thrown out, is in my opinion more a sour grapes attitude.

If only JD Powers did 7 or 10 year durability and quality surveys. You might see a perfect match with CR.

]]> By: Brian E http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/consumer-reports-perception-is-the-new-reality/comment-page-1/#comment-97809 Brian E Thu, 10 Jan 2008 15:47:33 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/news-blog/consumer-reports-perception-is-the-new-reality/#comment-97809 I'm really quite surprised that Audi and Acura are at the bottom of the list, below a completely dead brand (Mercury). How did that happen? Do people just forget about them? I’m really quite surprised that Audi and Acura are at the bottom of the list, below a completely dead brand (Mercury). How did that happen? Do people just forget about them?

]]> By: AKM http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/consumer-reports-perception-is-the-new-reality/comment-page-1/#comment-97801 AKM Thu, 10 Jan 2008 15:33:48 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/news-blog/consumer-reports-perception-is-the-new-reality/#comment-97801 Interesting data, although it's nothing surprising. Your jung quote just nailed it. Perception trumps reality. 80s Volvos may have been much safer than other cars, but I just don't think the difference is that big now. Same deal for all the other categories. But hey, that's how Toyota, Honda, and BMW get away with charging such premiums for their cars! Interesting data, although it’s nothing surprising. Your jung quote just nailed it.
Perception trumps reality. 80s Volvos may have been much safer than other cars, but I just don’t think the difference is that big now. Same deal for all the other categories.

But hey, that’s how Toyota, Honda, and BMW get away with charging such premiums for their cars!

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