Consumers Ask, Automakers Deliver: APEAL Shows Biggest Improvement in Study s History, J.D. Power Finds

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1 Consumers Ask, Automakers Deliver: APEAL Shows Biggest Improvement in Study s History, J.D. Power Finds Genesis Ranks Highest for First Time; Chevrolet and GMC are Highest-Ranked Mass Market Brands; Ford Receives Four Segment-Level Awards DETROIT: 25 July 2018 Given the significant cost of owning a new vehicle, delighting customers is challenging for auto manufacturers. That challenge is being met, as evidenced by a 10-point increase in overall satisfaction from 2017, according to the J.D. Power 2018 U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, SM released today. The industry average APEAL score increases to 820 points (on a 1,000-point scale) from 810 a year ago, propelled by significantly higher scores in all 10 vehicle evaluation categories, with 23 of the 31 brands included in the study making gains in their performance from The automotive industry is performing exceptionally well, with manufacturers making record-breaking improvements year over year, said Dave Sargent, Vice President, Global Automotive at J.D. Power. It s a great time to buy a new car or truck. There are a lot of high-quality, appealing vehicles in every segment of the market and shoppers don t have to spend a fortune to get one. Following are some key findings of the 2018 study: Mass market brands continue to close in on luxury segment: The average APEAL score for the mass market segment is 814, a 10-point improvement from 2017, while the luxury segment improves 6 points to 851. Vehicles in the mass market segment are being loaded with more content than in the past, which accounts for much of the improvement. The gap between the two segments has narrowed to an all-time low of 37 points. All categories improve in 2018: The APEAL Study examines 10 vehicle categories, all of which consumers are finding more satisfying vs. 2017: driving dynamics (+12 points); visibility and safety (+11); engine/transmission (+10); audio/communication/entertainment/navigation (+10); seats (+10); heating, ventilation and air conditioning (+10); exterior (+9); interior (+9); storage and space (+9); and fuel economy (+4). Lincoln Navigator posts highest score of any model: The Lincoln Navigator has the highest overall APEAL score (915) of any model this year. This is also the highest level recorded in this generation of the study ( ). The U.S. APEAL Study, which was first published in 1996, is currently in its third generation. Highest-Ranked Brands Genesis ranks highest in overall APEAL for the first time, with a score of 884. Porsche ranks second overall (883), followed by BMW (863), Lincoln (861) and Mercedes-Benz (858).

2 In the mass market segment, Chevrolet and GMC rank highest in a tie with a score of 826. This is the first time either brand has ranked highest. Ram ranks third (825), followed by Dodge and Ford (824 each). Mitsubishi is the most improved brand, increasing 33 points from Other brands showing substantial improvements are Dodge (+29), Jeep (+26), GMC (+18) and Chevrolet (+16). Segment-Level Model APEAL Awards The parent company receiving the most model-level awards for its various brands is Ford Motor Co. (four model-level awards), followed by General Motors, Volkswagen AG and BMW AG with three each. Ford Motor Co.: Ford Expedition; Ford F-150; Ford Mustang; and Lincoln Continental General Motors: Chevrolet Equinox; Chevrolet Traverse; and GMC Sierra HD Volkswagen AG: Audi A3; Porsche Cayenne; and Volkswagen Jetta BMW AG: BMW X1; BMW X3; and MINI Countryman Honda Motor Co.: Honda Accord and Honda Ridgeline Hyundai Motor Group: Kia Rio and Kia Stinger Fiat Chrysler Automobiles: Chrysler Pacifica Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.: Nissan Maxima Receiving a model-level award for a second consecutive year are Audi A3, BMW X1, Chrysler Pacifica, Ford F-150, Lincoln Continental, Honda Ridgeline and Porsche Cayenne. The 2018 U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study measures owners emotional attachment and level of excitement across 77 attributes, ranging from the power they feel when they step on the gas to the sense of comfort and luxury they feel when climbing into the driver s seat. These attributes are combined into an overall APEAL index score that is measured on a 1,000-point scale. The study, now in its 23rd year, is based on responses gathered from November 2017 through February 2018 from nearly 68,000 purchasers and lessees of new 2018 model-year vehicles who were surveyed after 90 days of ownership. The study, which complements the J.D. Power Initial Quality Study, SM is used extensively by manufacturers worldwide to help them design and develop more appealing vehicles and by consumers to help them in their purchase decisions. Find detailed information on vehicle quality, as well as model photos and specs, at For more information about the 2018 U.S. APEAL Study, visit See the online press release at J.D. Power is a global leader in consumer insights, advisory services and data and analytics. These capabilities enable J.D. Power to help its clients drive customer satisfaction, growth and profitability. Established in 1968, J.D. Power is headquartered in Costa Mesa, Calif., and has offices serving North/South America, Asia Pacific and Europe. J.D. Power is a portfolio company of XIO Group, a global alternative investments and private equity firm headquartered in London, and is led by its four founders: Athene Li, Joseph Pacini, Murphy Qiao and Carsten Geyer.

3 Media Relations Contacts Geno Effler; West Coast; ; Shane Smith; East Coast; ; About J.D. Power and Advertising/Promotional Rules # # # Note: Three charts follow.

4 J.D. Power 2018 U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study SM Genesis Porsche BMW Lincoln Mercedes-Benz Audi Volvo Cadillac Land Rover Lexus Infiniti Jaguar Chevrolet GMC Ram Dodge Ford MINI Volkswagen Chrysler Acura Industry Average Honda Kia Buick Toyota Hyundai Nissan Subaru Jeep Mazda Mitsubishi 2018 APEAL Brand Index Ranking (Based on a 1,000-point scale) Luxury Average Mass Market Average Note: Included in the study but not ranked due to small sample size is Fiat. Note: Included in the study but not ranked due to insufficient sample size is smart. Source: J.D. Power 2018 U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study SM Charts and graphs extracted from this press release for use by the media must be accompanied by a statement identifying J.D. Power as the publisher and the study from which it originated as the source. Rankings are based on numerical scores, and not necessarily on statistical significance. No advertising or other promotional use can be made of the information in this release or J.D. Power survey results without the express prior written consent of J.D. Power.

5 J.D. Power 2018 U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study SM Top Three Models per Segment Car Segments Small Car Highest Ranked: Kia Rio Chevrolet Sonic Chevrolet Bolt Small Premium Car Highest Ranked: Audi A3 BMW 2 Series Mercedes-Benz CLA Compact Car Highest Ranked: Volkswagen Jetta Volkswagen Golf Honda Civic Compact Premium Car Highest Ranked: Kia Stinger Audi A5 (tie) Mercedes-Benz C-Class (tie) Midsize Car* Highest Ranked: Honda Accord Nissan Altima Midsize Sporty Car* Highest Ranked: Ford Mustang Chevrolet Camaro Midsize Premium Car Highest Ranked: Lincoln Continental Genesis G80 BMW 5 Series Large Car Highest Ranked: Nissan Maxima Dodge Charger Chrysler 300 * No other model in this segment performs above segment average. Note: There must be either at least four ranked models or three ranked models comprising at least 80% of sales in any given segment for an award to be presented. The City Car, Compact Sporty Car, Compact Premium Sporty Car, Midsize Premium Sporty Car, and Large Premium Car segments did not meet either of these criteria, thus no award is presented in that segment. For more detailed findings on new-vehicle APEAL performance, visit jdpower.com/performance Source: J.D. Power 2018 U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study SM Charts and graphs extracted from this press release for use by the media must be accompanied by a statement identifying J.D. Power as the publisher and the study from which it originated as the source. Rankings are based on numerical scores, and not necessarily on statistical significance. No advertising or other promotional use can be made of the information in this release or J.D. Power survey results without the express prior written consent of J.D. Power.

6 J.D. Power 2018 U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study SM Top Three Models per Segment SUV, MPV, Van, Pickup Segments Small SUV Highest Ranked: MINI Countryman Toyota C-HR Kia Sportage Small Premium SUV* Highest Ranked: BMW X1 Mercedes-Benz GLA Compact SUV Highest Ranked: Chevrolet Equinox Volkswagen Tiguan Honda CR-V Compact Premium SUV Highest Ranked: BMW X3 Porsche Macan Mercedes-Benz GLC Midsize SUV Highest Ranked: Chevrolet Traverse Buick Enclave Nissan Murano Midsize Pickup* Highest Ranked: Honda Ridgeline GMC Canyon Minivan* Highest Ranked: Chrysler Pacifica Honda Odyssey Large SUV* Highest Ranked: Ford Expedition GMC Yukon Large Light Duty Pickup Highest Ranked: Ford F-150 Chevrolet Silverado (tie) GMC Sierra (tie) Large Heavy Duty Pickup Highest Ranked: GMC Sierra HD Ford Super Duty Chevrolet Silverado HD Midsize Premium SUV Highest Ranked: Porsche Cayenne Lexus RX BMW X5 * No other model in this segment performs above segment average. Note: There must be either at least four ranked models or three ranked models comprising at least 80% of sales in any given segment for an award to be presented. The Compact Multi-Purpose Vehicle and Large Premium SUV segments did not meet either of these criteria, thus no award is presented in that segment. For more detailed findings on new-vehicle APEAL performance, visit jdpower.com/performance Source: J.D. Power 2018 U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study SM Charts and graphs extracted from this press release for use by the media must be accompanied by a statement identifying J.D. Power as the publisher and the study from which it originated as the source. Rankings are based on numerical scores, and not necessarily on statistical significance. No advertising or other promotional use can be made of the information in this release or J.D. Power survey results without the express prior written consent of J.D. Power.

Porsche Ranks Highest in APEAL for 12 th Consecutive Year; General Motors Receives Six Segment-Level Awards, Hyundai Motor Company Receives Five

Safety Features Score Big, Boosting New-Vehicle Appeal, J.D. Power Study Finds Porsche Ranks Highest in APEAL for 12 th Consecutive Year; General Motors Receives Six Segment-Level Awards, Hyundai Motor