Star Auto Mall Commends Nissan And Chevrolet For Performance In APEAL Study

Online, August 2, 2012 (Newswire.com) - J.D. Power and Associates recently released the results of the 2012 U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study. Star Auto Mall in Greensburg, Pennsylvania is congratulating Chevrolet and Nissan for winning five segments combined.

Chevrolet was the top manufacturer, claiming the top spot in three segments. The 2012 Chevrolet Volt was the top Compact Car while the 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche was first in the Large Pickup segment. The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic took top honors in the Sub Compact Car segment.

Not far behind was Nissan who earned top honors in two segments. The 2012 Nissan Frontier claimed the top spot in the Midsize Pickup category, and the 2012 Nissan Quest led the best Midsize Van segment.

Placing in the top three in its respective segment was the Nissan Armada SUV in Large Crossover SUV and the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic Sedan and 2012 FIAT 500 Hatchback in the Sub Compact Car segment. The 2012 Nissan Maxima Sedan was fourth in Large Car.

The 2012 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible and 2012 Chevrolet Camaro Coupe took fourth and fifth, respectively in the Midsize Sporty segment. The 2012 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible and 2012 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe placed in the top ten of the Premium Sporty segment.

The APEAL study examines what consumers like about their vehicles 90 days after ownership and is based on eight categories of vehicle performance and design: engine/transmission; ride, handling and braking; comfort/convenience; seats; cockpit/instrument panel; heating, ventilation and cooling; sound system; and styling/exterior. It complements the Initial Quality Study (IQS), which focuses on problems experienced by owners during the first 90 days of ownership.

Key findings in the study were 47 percent of owners considered gas mileage one of the most important factors in choosing their new vehicle, an increase of seven percent over the 2011 study results, and 27 percent of new-vehicle buyers downsized by replacing a new vehicle in a smaller segment than the vehicle they replaced. Only 13 percent of consumers up-sized and 60 percent purchased a new vehicle in the same segment as their previous vehicle.

"New-vehicle buyers who down are not making the sacrifice that they once were," said David Sargent, vice president of global automotive at J.D. Power and Associates. "Automakers are heavily focused on providing the U.S. market with appealing smaller models, and buyers may be surprised at just how good some of them are."

About Star Auto Mall
Star Auto Mall is proud to be the select Monroeville, PA area Nissan, Volvo, and Chevrolet dealer. The dealership provides vehicles, award winning service, and parts to all surrounding cities including Greensburg, Johnstown, Somerset, and Murrysville. The dealership carries an extensive line of new, used, and certified cars, trucks, and SUVs.