Abstract: Different companies provide Performance and Design Car Ratings in order to help people in buying the right car. All of these car-rating companies carry out surveys in order to assign ratings by assessing the performance and design of the car. Among these studies, the most popular one is the Automotive Performance Execution and Layout Study or APEAL Study, which is carried out by J. D. Power Associates of USA.
Performance and Design Car Ratings have become something of great importance these days, because, people of modern era want cars, which will perform well day in and day out without any failure and the same time will sport an attractive design and an appealing look.
In order to help people in choosing the right car, that will perfectly suit their requirements, companies may provide Performance and Design Car Ratings. Among all such car rating companies of USA, J. D. Power Associates is the most reputed one. This company carries out car performance and car design surveys, every year. The study made on the basis of these surveys is known as J. D. Power Associates Automotive Performance Execution and Layout Study. In abbreviated form, it is called APEAL Study.
J. D. Power Associates carries out these surveys among the people, who have bought new model-year vehicles and have used them for at least 90 days. The issues, on which the APEAL Study of J. D. Power Associates, concentrate on are the following:
The study aims at identifying those features of the new vehicles, which their owners find to be most appealing.
The study tries to measure customer satisfaction in respect of riding and handling facilities.
APEAL study also considers the engine and the transmission attributes of the new vehicles.
This study also put emphasis on the level of comfort and convenience that the car owners enjoy by driving the car.
Findings of APEAL Study 2007 are the following:
1. The study revealed that, in case of performance and design, the customers were more satisfied with the new redesigned models than the earlier ones.
2. The vehicles, made by German Automobile Companies came out to be the most popular cars of the year.
3. Cars of the premium brands received higher ratings compared to the non-premium domestic brands.
4. The brands, which received significant awards, were Honda, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.