When drivers are shopping around for a used car, they typically look at qualities like fuel efficiency, safety features and maintenance costs. Another overlooked aspect of the browsing process is recommendations from others. That is why the Boston Consulting Group put together the Brand Advocacy Index, which looks at the levels of advocacy and user recommendation among different products. 

"Consumers are positively recommending the most recommended brands to their friends, family and coworkers – often spontaneously and even when they are not customers of the brand," said Steve Knox, the co-author of the study. "Their strong financial results show the power of advocacy to drive top-line growth." 

Within the auto industry, Honda, Hyundai and Kia ranked among the top brands. While the average for the auto industry was about 50 percent, those three Asia-based automakers had the highest scores for the U.S. at 63 percent in the brand ratings. Owners of those three vehicles generally liked their investment and passed on word-of-mouth recommendations to others, which frequently encouraged fellow motorists to look into the brands and survey their options. 

"Our top position in word-of-mouth recommendation rankings of auto brands in the U.S. is attributable to positive customer experiences and our brand image," said Michael Sprague, executive vice president at Kia Motors America, as quoted by Business Korea. 

When someone recommends a specific brand or type of car, it may pique your interest. That is where NJ State Auto Auction can come into play. The lot is home to hundreds of CARFAX-certified vehicles from a variety of top brands, ensuring you'll be able to find a car, truck or van that meet your requirements.