Honda Preserves Its 'Best Automaker' Standing

Strategic Vision Inc., the San Diego-based company which is responsible for the annual vehicle competition, has released its results. According to their survey, Honda Motor Co. is still the 'best automaker' for this year.

Strategic Vision has surveyed over 64,000 individuals who have purchased new vehicles from October 2005 to March 2006. Respondents have been questioned subsequent to 90 days of ownership. The company's purpose in coming up with the survey is to know whether said purchasers are satisfied. Also, said survey is aimed at gauging the performance of automakers.

Honda Motor Co. has hold on to its survey ranking. Toyota Motor Co., on one hand, has won in 3 categories but lost in some segments of the competition. General Motors Corp. has won in 4 segments. Hyundai Motor Co. has alleviated its standing by enhancing Kia parts integrated in Optima, Azera, Sedona and Tucson. Optima grabbed the top spot for the medium car category. Azera and Sedona also bagged the top commendation for large car and minivan, respectively. Finally, Tucson was dubbed as the top-ranked small SUV.

Honda's preservation of its ranking was drawn from the success of Civic, Accord Coupe and Pilot. Honda Civic won in the compact pickup category with the Ridgeline. Honda Accord Coupe, made it big in the mid-specialty car segment. Honda Pilot was declared the top medium crossover SUV.

'One thing about Honda that is just really clear: They have the strongest brand equity of any brand out there,' says Alexander Edwards, president of Strategic Vision's automotive research group. 'But Toyota has been moving slower than other brands when it comes to innovation.'

Edwards mentioned Ridgeline as one of the great contributions of Honda. So far, said model is one of the most costly compact pickups. It is equipped with power Honda parts including the revolutionary tailgate and a folding rear bench seat. 'Such features, combined with Honda's perceived reliability and durability, help boost the brand's value,' says Edwards.

Edwards further noted that Toyota must be careful not to become complacent. He added, 'Everybody is looking at them and asking, where are they weak?'.