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Car dealers name Hyundai, Subaru, Lexus as best brands

Hyundai, Subaru, Lexus are considered the best brands to sell based on the latest Dealer Attitude Survey measuring satisfaction with auto manufacturers, according to the National Automobile Dealers Association's (NADA).
Posted: January 30, 2012 - 2:51PM
Author: Don Bain
The logo for the National Automobile Dealser Association. Courtesy of PRN

The announcement comes just as the nation’s auto dealers prepare to gather in Las Vegas with representatives of 26 manufacturers during the 2012 NADA Convention and Expo, February 3 to 6.

The biannual survey quantifies dealer responses in three areas of concern, namely franchise return on investment, how the automaker’s decisions affect sales and the quality of relations with representatives of the brand who visit them. Over 14,700 franchises responded to the survey taken last summer, approximately 54 percent of the new-car showrooms in the country.

Hyundai has been the dealers' top rated brand for three years running, clearly a result of their continuing sales success. First cousin Kia comes in at fourth as well, most likely another result of growing popularity with buyers.

Subaru moved back into second place, cementing five consecutive placements in the top three. Lexus dropped one notch to take third place while Mercedes-Benz took fifth followed by Toyota and Volkswagen. Porsche and Audi took eighth and ninth respectively while Cadillac and Honda tied for tenth place.

Next month’s 2012 NADA Convention and Expo will provide the opportunity for auto dealers across the country to meet mano a mano with top executives from 26 auto manufacturers to consider the current sales outlook, planned marketing programs and new vehicle launches during the coming year.

Highlights will include keynote addresses by Chrysler Group CEO Sergio Marchionne and NADA Chairman Stephen W. Wade, a dealer in Utah and California and incoming NADA Chairman William P. Underriner, a Montana auto dealer.

Outgoing Chairman Wade will join in a panel discussion at the J.D. Power and Associates' 2012 International Automotive Roundtable with Alan Batey, vice president of General Motors' Chevrolet division; Reid Bigland, brand head for Dodge; and Dave Zuchowski, Hyundai's executive vice president of national sales. Mike Jackson, CEO and chairman of AutoNation, will be the moderator and NADA President Phil Brady will deliver closing remarks.

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