When you find a car you love, it's tough to give it up. But once the engine sputters out and the ignition no longer responds, you have to move on. The question is: What type of vehicle do you look at next? If you really loved one of your previous cars, you may find yourself gravitating toward that make or model. That customer loyalty is a phenomenon was recently studied by IHS Automotive.
Popular brands breed loyal customers
The organization analyzed data regarding vehicle registrations, tracking how many drivers stuck with the same automaker or model when making a switch. Ford was named the brand with the most loyal customers, as it had the highest percentage of drivers stick with its vehicles year after year.
Ford's win is especially impressive when considering the individual segment winners. While the automaker may not have had any models excel in this area, its customers were among the most loyal to certain makes, meaning that they like to stick with what they know.
Models that stand out
A few models managed to earn accolades for inspiring driver loyalty. For instance, people who drove a Honda Accord often stayed behind the wheel of this sedan – in fact, it was recognized as having the highest model loyalty among midsize cars. This is the second year in a row the Accord has claimed this honor.
"Customer loyalty is one of the key measurements of product excellence and customer satisfaction," said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales at American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "This recognition from IHS Automotive in the hyper-competitive mid-size segment is further proof that Accord continues to check all the boxes for the American car buyer."
Other models that made a splash in their respective segments included the Chevrolet Silverado, Kia Soul, Chrysler Town & Country, Toyota Tacoma and the Dodge Challenger.
Finding a happy medium
You may want to stay behind the wheel of a certain car, but because of budgets and other factors, it's not always easy. But NJ State Auto Auction is dedicated to helping drivers get the used cars they want. Not only can you browse through hundreds of Carfax-certified used cars, but you are also able to receive help from the financing department, which could assist you in securing the model you want.