Car Buyers Want Both Power And Efficiency
 

I just do not believe that.



January 14, 2008

Car Buyers Want Both Power And Efficiency

With plug-ins, fuel cell vehicles and hybrids sharing the floor alongside hugely powerful muscle cars and ultra-sized SUVs at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, MyRide.com conducted a series of online consumer snap polls.Consumers mixed on muscle

Recent and most-anticipated debuts are the Chevy Camaro and Dodge Challenger, but, according to the polls, consumers have mixed feelings about these retro muscle cars, with only 28% describing their return as positive, 32% describing it as negative, and 41% describing their feelings as mixed. When pressed on which of the upcoming muscle cars they’d be most likely to buy, it was a close race between the Camaro (29%) and Nissan GT-R (25%).

Mileage trumps horsepower … theoretically

When asked what will matter most during their next vehicle purchase, only 10% cited power and performance, while 38% named gas mileage and environmental friendliness. For most, however, it’s a compromise-with 52% saying they’ll look for the best available combination they can find between power and efficiency. And although people say they place a high priority on being green, most (53%) said they traded up in terms of horsepower in their most recent vehicle purchase.

Full-size hybrid SUVs and trucks get a big response

Thanks to GM’s new “two-mode” hybrid technology, full-size SUVs and trucks - like the Chevy Tahoe and Silverado, Cadillac Escalade and Dodge Durango- are about to come out in hybrid models that should deliver mileage in the 20-25 miles-per-gallon range. Sixty-two percent of car shoppers surveyed described their reaction to these vehicles as positive. And 28% say their arrival will impact what they’re considering for their next vehicle purchase, either significantly or somewhat (”if the price difference and fuel benefits make sense”). Only 8% said they plan to buy a full-size SUV truck but won’t pay the premium for hybrid benefits. The remaining 64% say they won’t consider a full-size SUV or truck - hybrid or otherwise.

The Toyota/GM PR Wars

MyRide.com asked a series of questions designed to determine whether consumer perceptions of Toyota and GM shifted over the past year.

Despite some recent press concerning Toyota’s environmental stance and reliability ratings, most survey-takers (41%) say their perception of Toyota is about the same as it had been a year ago, and the remainder was roughly split between having a more positive vs. less positive perception. For those who say that Toyota’s image has slipped of late, most (55%) cited the decline in their reliability ratings as the primary reason. The remainder said it was primarily because Toyota’s environmental reputation had been diminished in their eyes by its promotion of bigger, less fuel-efficient vehicles (25%), or its unwillingness to support the recently passed bill to raise CAFE standards (20%).

Meanwhile, GM’s image seems to be on the upswing, with 51% saying their perception of GM is more positive than a year ago. When asked to name their primary reason, 42% cited news of improved quality and reliability, 35% named their recent environmental commitment, and 23% said that it was simply a matter of GM offering better and more diverse vehicle offerings.

Mean, green or in between?

Shoppers were also asked whether they thought Toyota and GM, respectively, were: a) “mean” (i.e., associated with big, powerful vehicles), b) “green,” or c) “mean and green” (meaning associated with big, powerful vehicles and new fuel technologies). Although only 2% described GM as green and 53% described them as “mean,” 44% see them as both green and mean. A comparab

RE: Car Buyers Want Both Power And Efficiency
 

I am always suspect of polls because they seem to demonstrate a knack for getting answers they want to begin with. I think a valid poll regarding a preference between Camaro, Challenger, Mitsi-bitsie, etc... must only target self described muscle car enthusiasts. Of course the hybrid crowd views any performance car as negative because of their preconceived perceptions. From my read of this the subject is slanted in that way.

RE: Car Buyers Want Both Power And Efficiency
 

Exactly what awsure said. And if people described a car like the Challenger's return as mostly negative, why would nearly 10,000 people order them in the span of a month? The Camaro is likely to receive the same kind of treatment, with a huge number of orders in a short amount of time.

RE: Car Buyers Want Both Power And Efficiency
 

Yeah kind of like "Do you like avaricious, soul-less conservatives who want only to lay waste to the environment for the all important dollar?" or "Do you like eco-responsible progressives who hug baby rabbits?"

Ridiculous what passes for objective journalism in this country.

RE: Car Buyers Want Both Power And Efficiency
 

The 10,000 who put deposits down on a car unseen are true MOPAR enthusiasts like us. We, unfortunately, do not represent the mainstream. It will be interesting to see how many Challengers are actually sold over the next 2-3 years. I'll bet that a large number will be V6s.

I won't be one of those buyers, however. It will be a 2009 SRT for me! [sm=gears.gif]

RE: Car Buyers Want Both Power And Efficiency
 

Cuda340 hit the nail on the head. Frankly, I've said all along that the Challenger WON'T be a huge seller, such as the Mustang is. And now, with gasoline prices climbing higher and higher, I'm more convinced than ever that there will not be a big demand for it. The ONLY real chance the Challenger has for any type of longevity is if the mileage ratings of the V-6 model are relatively good. And as for myself, I'm going to get either the V-6 or the SMALL Hemi. Again, as I've said all along, I'm strictly interested in the Challenger for its looks. I drove enough of the REAL Challengers in the 1970s to keep me happy for the rest of my life. ;)