five Car Quality Myths, Busted
In today’s world, perception seems to become reality. What people believe or perceive to be true is, fairly often, accepted as truth or reality, whether or not the facts (or, in this case, research data) support that belief or perception. One area where the perception vs. reality issue is most prevalent is in the automotive industry. Gratefully, we’re here to set the record straight. Following are five car quality myths that are just that: myths.
Hyundai and Kia have been selling cars in the United States for over twenty years now. Both brands entered the U.S. marketplace positioning their cars with a strong value proposition but suggesting little in the way of quality and reliability. Over the years, however, both brands’ vehicles have matured in every way, suggesting more arousing styling, attractive interiors, more features, and making large leaps in quality. It wasn’t until about five years ago that both Hyundai and Kia took another substantial step and began making cars that gave consumers no excuses. No longer were their offerings “almost as good as” Japanese and American offerings. They were right there playing on the same court.
Japanese brands built themselves a bulletproof reputation back in the 1980s and 1990s by building cars that were much more reliable than their competition at the time. During that time, the Korean car companies were still finding their footing in the American market, European brands were too rooted in their ways to switch the way they built their cars, and American automakers were raking in profits and had little motivation to switch their treatment to building cars. Toyota and Honda were the clear leaders in terms of quality and reliability, but eventually this positive association trickled down to any Japanese carmaker.
In the two thousand fifteen IQS, 50% of new-vehicle buyers cite expected reliability as their most influential reason for choosing their particular make and model. Keep that in mind when considering that many non-luxury car buyers have the notion that the less expensive a car is, the less it is suited for long-term use. In other words, an inexpensive car is a “throwaway” car that isn’t meant to be kept around for very long.
“Isn’t that an American car?” A question usually asked with scorn. Scorn that in the year two thousand fifteen is unwarranted. Data gathered from the two thousand fifteen Avoider Investigate shows that 7% of new-vehicle buyers avoid a particular model because they do not want an “American” vehicle. This means that 7% of buyers know about a model that is American and determined not to research it or shop it any further because of its status as an American car. As American cars have improved and consumer perceptions have switched, this figure has decreased from the 10% of buyers that avoided American cars in the two thousand ten Avoider Investigate.
“I wouldn’t own (blank) out of warranty!” Most commonly a phrase heard in conversation regarding a preowned German car. Often known as machines that make the most out of driving, German cars have had a checkered past in the way of reliability. The photo problem of having poor reliability can be detrimental to a brand when the two thousand fifteen Avoider Examine shows that 51% of fresh car shoppers purchased their make and model because of its reliability. Combine this with the fact that in the same investigate, 11% of shoppers avoided German models because of their reliability, and it seems that these brands are in a bit of a tie.
Five Car Quality Myths, Busted, J
five Car Quality Myths, Busted
In today’s world, perception seems to become reality. What people believe or perceive to be true is, fairly often, accepted as truth or reality, whether or not the facts (or, in this case, research data) support that belief or perception. One area where the perception vs. reality issue is most prevalent is in the automotive industry. Gratefully, we’re here to set the record straight. Following are five car quality myths that are just that: myths.
Hyundai and Kia have been selling cars in the United States for over twenty years now. Both brands entered the U.S. marketplace positioning their cars with a strong value proposition but suggesting little in the way of quality and reliability. Over the years, however, both brands’ vehicles have matured in every way, suggesting more titillating styling, attractive interiors, more features, and making large leaps in quality. It wasn’t until about five years ago that both Hyundai and Kia took another substantial step and embarked making cars that gave consumers no excuses. No longer were their offerings “almost as good as” Japanese and American offerings. They were right there playing on the same court.
Japanese brands built themselves a bulletproof reputation back in the 1980s and 1990s by building cars that were much more reliable than their competition at the time. During that time, the Korean car companies were still finding their footing in the American market, European brands were too rooted in their ways to switch the way they built their cars, and American automakers were raking in profits and had little motivation to switch their treatment to building cars. Toyota and Honda were the clear leaders in terms of quality and reliability, but eventually this positive association trickled down to any Japanese carmaker.
In the two thousand fifteen IQS, 50% of new-vehicle buyers cite expected reliability as their most influential reason for choosing their particular make and model. Keep that in mind when considering that many non-luxury car buyers have the notion that the less expensive a car is, the less it is suited for long-term use. In other words, an inexpensive car is a “throwaway” car that isn’t meant to be kept around for very long.
“Isn’t that an American car?” A question usually asked with scorn. Scorn that in the year two thousand fifteen is unwarranted. Data gathered from the two thousand fifteen Avoider Examine shows that 7% of new-vehicle buyers avoid a particular model because they do not want an “American” vehicle. This means that 7% of buyers know about a model that is American and determined not to research it or shop it any further because of its status as an American car. As American cars have improved and consumer perceptions have switched, this figure has decreased from the 10% of buyers that avoided American cars in the two thousand ten Avoider Probe.
“I wouldn’t own (blank) out of warranty!” Most commonly a phrase heard in conversation regarding a preowned German car. Often known as machines that make the most out of driving, German cars have had a checkered past in the way of reliability. The photo problem of having poor reliability can be detrimental to a brand when the two thousand fifteen Avoider Examine shows that 51% of fresh car shoppers purchased their make and model because of its reliability. Combine this with the fact that in the same investigate, 11% of shoppers avoided German models because of their reliability, and it seems that these brands are in a bit of a tie.