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Foreign nameplates again dominated the survey, but U.S.-based automakers continued to show improvement. (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080626/AUTO01/806260438/1148/AUTO01)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2008_Mini_Cooper_Convertible.jpgTom Krisher - The Detroit News - June 25, 2008

DETROIT -- Drivers of new cars were less satisfied with their vehicles this year for the first time in at least five years due mainly to rising fuel prices, according to an annual survey released Thursday.

The survey, which measures owner delight with the design, layout and performance of new vehicles, saw the industry average drop by two points on a scale of 1,000, from 772 in 2007 to 770 this year.

It was the first drop in at least five years, said Neal Oddes, J.D. Power's director of product research and analysis. Gas prices rose 27 percent in the period between the 2007 and 2008 surveys, he said, but the survey found that fuel economy stayed the same at an average of 21 miles per gallon.

"The fuel economy hasn't improved from last year to this year," Oddes said. "You just haven't seen that movement."

The survey, conducted for the past 13 years, is based on responses from more than 81,500 people who bought or leased vehicles from November to January. They were surveyed between Feb. 4 and April 30, Oddes said. It has a margin of error of one point on the scale … http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080626/AUTO01/806260438/1148/AUTO01

About mid way into the article, it dawned on me that many of the people who participated in this survey, were most likely in the $100K+ income bracket..

That got me thinking. If rich folks are setting upset with their poor MPG cars, maybe the car makers will listen to them..?.
(Since I know they aren't listening to the middle income folks)..

Hey, I can dream can't I?

My partner is very happy with his car. He used to drive a Honda Accord and got an itty-bitty Scion since we do a lot of city driving. So we're at least one new-car family that is satisfied. On the other hand, the Scion gets good gas mileage.

Something doesn't add up.

Why no mention of the Prius? The Prius has led the owner-sastisfaction rating for years, yet gets no mention in this article? What gives?

Now why would the Prius lead the owner-satisfaction rating? Because it gets the best fuel economy, among other things.

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2005/cr_consumer_satisfaction.html

March 7, 2005
Asian vehicles continue their domination over domestic and European brands in the latest Consumer Reports owner satisfaction survey.

The Toyota Prius won near-unanimous praise with 94 per cent of respondents saying that they would definitely get one again. The Lexus LS430 scored almost as high with 92 per cent of owners and lessees affirming their loyalty.

Harry

About mid way into the article, it dawned on me that many of the people who participated in this survey, were most likely in the $100K+ income bracket..

That got me thinking. If rich folks are setting upset with their poor MPG cars, maybe the car makers will listen to them..?.
(Since I know they aren't listening to the middle income folks)..

Hey, I can dream can't I?Very, VERY good point. This is ballpark, but 40% of Detroit's profits were the mid to large SUV sales from the customers with deep pockets. If they care about fuel economy, Detroit can't ignore them.