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Mazda drivers are happier: RAC

10 August 2007

WA motorists who drive Mazdas are happier with their cars than drivers of other top selling vehicles according to the results of a recent vehicle ownership satisfaction study conducted by the RAC and one of the world's leading market research organisations, J.D. Power and Associates.

The study focuses on the owners of vehicles up to three years old (cars manufactured in 2004 or later) and compiles an overall customer satisfaction index or CSI based on the vehicle owners' answers to a range of questions.

Mazda ranked highest in the report with an overall CSI score of 799 (out of a possible 1000) ahead of Honda with 793, Toyota with 775 followed closely by Subaru and Nissan.

The average CSI of all vehicles up to 3 years old surveyed was 768 and Mitsubishi (766), Ford (761), Holden (755), Hyundai (745) and Kia (736) all finished below that score.

"The report gives our members an objective measure of vehicle ownership satisfaction to help them choose their next car," said RAC Executive Manager Member Advocacy David Moir.

"It also shows car manufacturers the areas they need to improve in to improve sales.

"The survey is good news for Japanese car manufacturers with them occupying the top six spots on the overall CSI index.

"It is interesting that the Australian brands Ford and Holden finish down the list in the customer satisfaction index," said Mr Moir.

The study also looked at how each car brand performed in the areas of reliability, vehicle appeal, service satisfaction, ownership costs, loyalty and advocacy.

Mazda and Honda topped the list for reliability and vehicle appeal whereas Nissan scored highest in the field of service satisfaction. Honda and Nissan were rated as having the most affordable ownership costs.

Owners of Toyotas were more brand loyal than any other car owners with 94 per cent of respondents who owned a Toyota indicating they would probably or definitely buy a Toyota the next time they bought a new vehicle.

They were also most likely to recommend the brand to others with ninety nine percent of owners saying they would probably or definitely recommend Toyota to others.

For more details on the study and how olders vehicle scored visit www.rac.com.au.

Download the release

RAC Car Ownership Satisfaction Study – 2007 Part 1