Customers More Satisfied with Vehicles

"Customer satisfaction with the auto industry matched an all-time high in the second quarter, according to a report released by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI).

Customer satisfaction improved for a second straight year, reaching an index score of 84. The current score matches the industry's all-time high from 2009 when aggressive dealer incentives, combined with the government's "Cash for Clunkers" program, helped revive the recession-strapped auto industry.

The customer satisfaction gain spans both domestic and foreign nameplates, with about 60 percent of the brands showing upticks in their ACSI scores compared with 2011. Specifically, four of seven Asian nameplates, two of three European carmakers, and six of nine American brands all earn higher ACSI scores.

While domestic nameplates show the greatest improvement overall, they continue to trail both European and Asian cars. Among the U.S. automakers, Ford continues to hold the lead at 86, followed by an unchanged General Motors at 84. Chrysler stays in last place overall, but makes the most progress in customer satisfaction with a surge to 81." [Read more]