Satisfaction Rising Among Car Buyers

The American Customer Satisfaction Index does indeed track consumer satisfaction with purchases; it says so right in the name. And for the second quarter of the year — and fifth straight overall — automobiles have seen an increase in customer satisfaction, up 1.3% from a year ago.

The study also breaks down satisfaction by car brand, and we see some real surprises there. Buick, up 2.4%, now matches Lexus and Honda in a tie for the No. 2 spot, at 86%, behind Toyota, at 87%. Nissan saw the biggest rise, with a 5.1% increase to 82%. Other companies on the upswing include Mercedes-Benz, GMC, Chevrolet and Ford, while BMW, Cadillac, Saturn, Pontiac, Mazda and Jeep all saw declines.

The study’s authors say that unlike last year’s study — where heavy incentives greatly impacted the results — this year’s numbers relate more to improved quality and service. Some experts say the results are a positive sign for the economy and could spur more car sales. 

[Auto Buyers More Satisfied, Detroit News]