Consumers are more satisfied with the new-car buying experience this year than they were last year, and they're most satisfied when buying that new vehicle from a Lexus dealer.
That's what the folks from J.D. Power and Associates reported in their 2007 Sales Satisfaction Index, an analysis of overall satisfaction with the dealership facility, salesperson, paperwork/finance process, delivery process and vehicle price.
Industry-wide, consumers rated satisfaction with the sales experience this year at 852 points on a scale of 1,000, which was up five points from 847 a year ago.
Lexus ranked first with a score of 897 — a 10 point improvement over 2006. It moved up from fifth place a year ago, driven primarily by increased customer happiness with the dealership facility, salesperson performance and vehicle price, according to Tom Gauer, senior director of automotive retail research at J.D. Power and Associates.
"Lexus salespeople show particular concern for helping customers stay within their budgets, choosing the right vehicle for their needs, as well as for making the negotiation process clear and understandable," he said.
Hummer placed a close second with a score of 895, up 21 points from 2006, with notable improvement in the vehicle price and paperwork/finance process. Dealers handling Jaguar, Lincoln and Mercedes-Benz, respectively, rounding out the top five nameplates. Those handling Mitsubishi, Suzuki, Nissan, Mazda and Jeep were the bottom five nameplates.