'Brand Watch' finds best exteriors for new truck and SUV shoppers

When buying something, most people intently look atMercedes-Benz at rank 2, then by Jaguar at rank 3.
the outer surface of a thing because it oftentimesFor new trucks, according to auto shoppers, Ford has
says the quality and performance.the best exterior, and then followed by GMC and then
Kelley Blue Book and Kelley Blue Book MarketingChevrolet. Dodge, Toyota, Nissan, and Honda almost
Research announced the results of the "Exteriorgot a spot in the category where it placed fourth, fifth,
Styling" segment of its newest automotive researcheight, and eleventh, respectively. In the Minivans
study, Brand Watch.category, however, Dodge ranked 1; Toyota ranked 2;
Kelley Blue Book Vice President for Marketing andand Honda ranked 3.
Market Research Rick Wainschel said exterior stylingConsumers find BMW as the luxury SUV with the
is one of the top decision factors among vehiclebest exterior, Lexus as the second best and
shoppers, and consumers' perceptions can add orMercedes-Benz as the third. Meanwhile, on the Non
eliminate a brand from someone's consideration list. HeLuxury SUVs, the top three in rank -in descending
added that the real-time reporting of the Brand Watchorder- is composed of Ford, Toyota and GMC.
data and the ability to see these brand perceptionsBMW indeed proved its luxury when it ranked 1 again
can be extremely helpful in tracking shifts in newin the luxury category, this time, for the Sedan.
vehicle shopper attitudes and developing responses toMercedes-Benz immediately followed at rank two and
those shifts.Infiniti at rank 3. Meanwhile, on the Non Luxury Sedan,
The Kelley Blue Book Brand Watch Study on ExteriorNissan, Honda and Toyota bagged the first, second,
Styling was further categorized into seven segments.and third place, respectively.
These are the convertibles/Sports cars, Trucks,Volkswagen, with its newly enhanced VW valve
Minivans, Luxury SUVs, Non Luxury SUVs, Luxurycovers for its new vehicles was not found in the top
Sedan, and Non Luxury Sedan.list of the results. Some said this is because the study
The results gave some surprises. Porsche bestedwas only based on the exterior of the car and not on
other convertibles or sports cars by ranking numberthe engine, which is one of the priority parts of a car.
one in the category. It was followed by