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Loyal Car Buyers

Translation of an article from German car magazine "Auto/Strassenverkehr" 1998

Surprising result of a survey of German consumer advice institute "Stiftung Warentest": Many car drivers aren't completely satisfied with their car but plan to buy the next car from the same manufacturer. At a survey of their magazine "Test" nearly 14.000 readers judged about their cars and reported about the tendencies to breakdown of radiator, brakes or exhaust system.
From a total of 25 models taken into account for the report three Ford did worst: Fiesta, Escort and Sierra were most often criticized for operation and handling, easiness of start-off, reliability and fuel consumption. But 74 percent will buy a Ford as their next car. The three manufacturersMercedes, Audi and VW reached, as the table shows,the highest brand loyalty.
Despite the fact that many drivers of this brands criticized high fuel consumption or the bad price-value relation, too. The latter is also true for the garages: 82 percent are satisfied - but with the sum of the repair bill its only 62 percent.

Next time the same brand
Mercedes...92
Audi...... 90
VW.........89
Toyota.....89
BMW...... .88
Volvo......87
Mazda......87
Mitsubishi.83
Nissan.....82
Renault....81
Honda......79
Citroen....79
Opel.......77
Peugeot....75
Ford.......74
Seat.......67
Fiat.......66

End of article - translation by MBEP webmaster

Last revised technically: Jan.25th 2000 Visits since June 5th '98.

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