Survey: More Would Take A Free 2011 Chevy Volt Over A Free HUMMER
According to a new survey, if given the choice between a new 2011 Chevrolet Volt or a new HUMMER H3, 55 percent would choose the Volt.
But you couldn't give Volt away to 45 percent.
The survey results, from the market-research firm Synovate, suggest that more Americans are interested in the new direction of GM, as symbolized by the Volt, than the old GM, as symbolized by the HUMMER H3. And while these results are a good sign for the Volt, they still represent how polarized the public is about vehicles like the Volt, as well as automakers' challenges in making green cars desirable.
The survey comes at a time when some of the bitterness over the bailout has started to fade; it's been well over a year since General Motors emerged from bankruptcy—and we're approaching the new company's IPO.
H3 desirable, even from a dead brand
That HUMMER is now a dead brand, like Oldsmobile, Pontiac, and Saturn, didn't seem to have much of an effect. GM was never able to find a buyer for Hummer and phased the brand out earlier this year.
Synovate asked: "Assume that you entered a contest and won the grand prize, where you got to pick between two new vehicles: Chevrolet Volt or Hummer H3. Keep in mind that the retail price for both vehicles is about the same. Which vehicle would you choose as your grand prize?" The question was included in the firm's weekly Omnibus survey.
Volt wins, but lots of Americans wouldn't take it for free
Overall, 55 percent selected the Volt while just 30 percent chose the HUMMER. Fifteen percent said they wouldn't take either, and 45 percent said that they wouldn't take a plug-in hybrid like the Volt even as a giveaway.
Oddly, younger respondents chose the H3 much more frequently than those in other age groups—with about 43 percent of those age 18-24 choosing the HUMMER versus those age. Looking closer, people were more likely to select the H3 for its aesthetic appeal or because it fit their needs, while they were more likely to choose the Volt for its cost or value advantage, or for its fuel efficiency.
A well-equipped 2010 HUMMER H3 Alpha (yes, there were a few 2010s), totaled around $42k—roughly the same as the 2011 Chevrolet Volt.
How many "gotta have it" hybrids and plug-ins are there?
The survey isn't altogether serious, but it does underline an important point: that most green vehicles—including, we add, new sporty hybrids like the 2011 Honda CR-Z and 2011 Lexus CT 200h—just don't hit trigger those "gotta have it" enthusiast urges the way that sports cars and some of the burliest, most iconic SUVs have.
Synovate suggests that it comes down to desire versus practicality.
"Obviously, we're trying to have a little fun with this question," explains Synovate Motoresearch Vice President, Andy Bedsworth, "but the results do reflect an overall truth about the current green vehicle market; they don't fit the definition of many consumers' dream vehicle. Are they practical, politically correct, the way of the future? Sure. Do they get your blood pumping any faster? Not really."
[Synovate]
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
Consumer Reports’ Annual Auto Survey Sees Gains For Detroit
A couple of weeks ago, Nelson Ireson reported on Consumer Reports' latest Reliability Survey, which put Ford and Lincoln at the head of the reliability pack. Now Consumer Reports has more good news for Big Three automakers thanks to its new Auto Survey, which places several American autos on the magazine's "top satisfaction list". Even better for Detroit fans, the Dodge Challenger has charged to the top of the rankings, earning the survey's highest marks and the honor of being the most satisfying car in America.
For several years, the Toyota Prius has taken the top spot on the annual Auto Survey, but this time around, the Prius was edged out by not one, but two American rides: the Challenger motored to the top spot, with 92% of buyers saying they'd definitely buy one again, and the number two spot was taken by the Ford Fusion Hybrid, which earned a 91% score. Prius fans shouldn't fret too much, though: the flagship hybrid still ranked near the head of the class, alongside the AWD Acura TL, the Chevrolet Corvette, and the Porsche 911.
To make Consumer Reports' "top satisfaction list", no less than 80% of buyers must respond "definitely yes" to the question "Considering all factors (price, performance, reliability, com-fort, enjoyment, etc.), would you get this car if you had it to do all over again?" Of all American autos, 9% earned that ranking -- an improvement over last year.
Despite these bright points, the news isn't all rosy for U.S. automakers. Although 9% of American models made Consumer Reports' "top satisfaction list", Europe and Asia trounced that figure, earning 23% and 12%, respectively. Worse, of the ten models that earned less than a 50% rating on the Auto Survey, all fared from Detroit -- three from Chrysler, the other seven from General Motors. The worst of the lot? The Dodge Nitro, the Pontiac Torrent, and all the way at the bottom, the Chrysler Sebring sedan.
But hey, look on the bright side: that just means there's plenty of room for improvement.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
