 study. As usual, Porsche was ranked as the top brand overall (for the 11th consecutive year), while Volkswagen returned as the highest ranking non-luxury automaker. Smart also repeated as the last-place automaker, earning that dubious distinction with a score […] "'Pin It")
Honda’s Score Rises in J.D. Power APEAL Rating
On Wednesday, J.D. Power and Associates released its 2016 US Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) study. As usual, Porsche was ranked as the top brand overall (for the 11th consecutive year), while Volkswagen returned as the highest ranking non-luxury automaker.
Smart also repeated as the last-place automaker, earning that dubious distinction with a score of 745.
But while there were few surprises at the top or bottom, there were some changes in the middle of the list, including an increase in Honda’s overall score.
After scoring 786 on a 1,000-point scale in last year’s APEAL study, this year Honda rose to 795 points. The jump placed Honda above Chevrolet, which was down to 794 from last year’s 797 points.
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Renee Stephens, vice president of US automotive quality at J.D. Power, told The Columbus Dispatch that the changes in rankings are largely attributable to the increase in luxury features now offered by non-luxury brands. Honda’s success was also thanks in large part to the redesigned Civic and Pilot, according to Stephens.
Honda’s APEAL score is also above the average score (794) for non-luxury brands.
While Honda’s star is on the rise, its luxury brand Acura is headed in the opposite direction. Acura’s 806 points represented a decrease from the 810 points it scored in last year’s study.
It also puts Acura below the average score for luxury brands, which now stands at 844.
The 2016 J.D. Power APEAL study surveyed 80,000 drivers who own 2016 model year vehicles.
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News Via: The Columbus Dispatch
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