Hmmm... All I'll say is a few of these I ain't too sure about myself, especially that butt ugly Pontiac Aztec, but here is the MSN Carpoint article on what are supposed to be the most popular new vehicles per JD Powers 2001 survey:


by the Editors of Carpoint

Americans love their vehicles. But what is it about these vehicles that they really love? More importantly, which cars and trucks do Americans love the most?
We found answers to these questions and more in a survey of more than 110,000 car and light-truck owners, conducted by automotive research company J.D. Power and Associates of Agoura Hills, Calif.

According to Power's 2001 APEAL (Automotive Performance, Execution And Layout) study, the Pontiac Aztek, Chrysler Town & Country minivan, Ford Crown Victoria and Cadillac Escalade sport-utility vehicle were among the top-ranking vehicles.

The Aztek, which had been panned by many automotive critics, rose to the top of Power's entry SUV category in 2001. In second place was the Hyundai Santa Fe. In third was the Toyota RAV4.

"While many auto reviewers have been quick to criticize the Aztek's unusual exterior, Aztek owners overwhelmingly praise its smooth, quiet ride and sound system," said Brian Walters, director of product research at Power.

Toyota or Lexus vehicles led seven categories, making Toyota Motors Sales U.S.A. Inc. the top company. The Toyota Avalon was best premium midsize car, the Lexus ES 300 was the most appealing entry luxury car, and the Lexus GS sedan topped the mid-luxury car group.

Both Toyota trucks also were at the top of their respective categories, and Toyota also held the top spot in the APEAL study's full-size SUV category with its Sequoia besting the Ford Excursion and Chevrolet Tahoe. Toyota had held the top spot in the full-size SUV group for the two previous years with its Land Cruiser SUV.

In addition to the Aztek, three other General Motors Corp. vehicles headed APEAL categories. The Chevrolet Corvette tied with the Audi TT at the top of the premium sports car group, the Chevy TrailBlazer was most appealing midsize SUV, and Cadillac's Escalade ranked as most-appealing luxury SUV.

Three Volkswagen cars—the New Beetle, Jetta and GTI—captured top honors in their categories for the third straight year, and one VW—the New Beetle—again edged out the Chrysler PT Cruiser in the compact-car segment.

Two Ford vehicles were category winners: the Ford Crown Victoria in the full-size car category and the Explorer Sport Trac , which tied with the Toyota Tacoma in the compact truck group.

Altogether, the APEAL study examines 15 vehicle categories. Results are based on responses from vehicle owners after three months of ownership. Among the areas probed are why consumers feel the way they do about their vehicles, and what they think about vehicle styling; engine and transmission; comfort and convenience; ride and handling; seats; heating, ventilation and cooling; cockpit and instrument panel; and sound system.

The 16 APEAL vehicle category winners for 2001 are:

COMPACT CAR: Volkswagen New Beetle

COMPACT PICKUP (tie): Ford Explorer Sport Trac & Toyota Tacoma

ENTRY MIDSIZE CAR: Volkswagen Jetta

FULL-SIZE PICKUP: Toyota Tundra

PREMIUM MIDSIZE CAR: Toyota Avalon

ENTRY SPORT UTILITY: Pontiac Aztek

SPORTY CAR: Volkswagen GTI

MIDSIZE SPORT UTILITY: Chevrolet TrailBlazer

PREMIUM SPORTS CAR (tie): Chevrolet Corvette & Audi TT Full-Size

SPORT UTILITY: Toyota Sequoia

ENTRY LUXURY CAR: Lexus ES 300

LUXURY SPORT UTILITY: Cadillac Escalade

COMPACT VAN: Chrysler Town & Country

PREMIUM LUXURY CAR: Lexus LS 430

FULL-SIZE CAR: Ford Crown Victoria

MID-LUXURY CAR: Lexus GS sedan


Source: J.D. Power and Associates



Now am I the only one that thinks at least parts of this list are crap? The Mustang didn't make the list? Never mind it's sales record as a sports car:rolleyes: Oh that's right! They said SPORTY car... Gimme a break! For the record, I also know a couple of guys that up til VERY recently worked at a local Toyota dealership... They said the Sequoia spends more time in the shop than on the road. And what more can you say about the Pontaic Aztec other than *BARF!*.


http://carpoint.msn.com/Merismus/Category/Small/es437813a.jpg

A face not even a mother could love!:D:D:D

I am in total agreement with you. That list is bullshit. Let's see, a bunch of boring Toyotas and the ugliest car of all time, the Aztec?

I think it says alot about jd power, what a bunch of idiots..

I think it speaks volumes about the quality of toyota's product.

Just one comment. OF COURSE THE AZTEK WON! Think about it, JD Powers asks owners how they feel about the car. Anyone out there who bought an Aztec obviously really, really, REALLY liked it enough to buy it. Doesn't it make sense that it was so highly praised? Come on, people who need a new car think Taurus or Camry or Mustang, who the hell just randomly walks in and buys an Aztec?

Man, a farce if I ever saw one...

But this is based on customer surveys?

How can they compare the TT to a Vette? Two entirely different beasts....

No stang? No maro?

The Assstek has all sorts of gadgets and do-dads for "outdoors" types , and the owners praised it's "smooth , quiet ride and sound system " . HA HA !! There's ton of cars that have smooth,quiet rides and decent sound systems . What about it's utility ?? the removable ice box ?? the tent option :rolleyes: ??

I bet the owners bought them because GM is giving them away,
and very few of them will ever be slept in ,or even taken off-road. More like a cheap vehicle to drive the kids to the mall....


Alan

That list is all marketing hype with no relevance to actual consumer preference. The sales numbers speak the truth not surveys.

They can say anything they want about Toyota, but it is still my preferred brand of motors.

___________________
Toyota 07 Yaris (http://www.who-sells-it.com/cy/toyota-motors-643/toyota-07-yaris-212.html) - Get the Toyota 07 Yaris Catalog by Toyota Motors

They can say anything they want about Toyota, but it is still my preferred brand of motors.

___________________
Toyota 07 Yaris (http://www.who-sells-it.com/cy/toyota-motors-643/toyota-07-yaris-212.html) - Get the Toyota 07 Yaris Catalog by Toyota Motors

Yea, if you're preferred brand of "motors" is a toaster..

4 Toyotas
3 VWs
3 GMs
3 Lexus
2 Fords
1 Pontiac
1 Chrystler
1 Audi

Ok, but just remember..

0 Hondas
0 Nissans
0 BMWs
0 Infinitys
0 Acuras
0 Dodges
0 Subarus
0 Scion
0 Mitsubishis
0 Mazdas
0 Nonames (Hyundai, Kia, Isuzu, etc.)
0 Exotics (Porsche, Ferrari, Lotus, etc.)

Yeah. This list is bullshit. :not:

That list is all marketing hype with no relevance to actual consumer preference. The sales numbers speak the truth not surveys.

I would argue this. Just because they sell more of a certain car doesn't make it better, it's more based on what the group of people need.

I think if I owned a 911 and a old Beetle, I would list the 911 under my favorites over the Beetle even though there are more them out there.

Why on earth did we resurrect a 5+ year old thread?

Why on earth did we resurrect a 5+ year old thread?

Because of this Toyota lover.

They can say anything they want about Toyota, but it is still my preferred brand of motors.

I hardly ever read the dates. But atleast we are discussing something in this forum.

Uhm, I just got a zoom zoom zoom?

Voltzwagon beetles with bull horns on the front are always the best I don't care what anyone else says.