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| 2012 Toyota Camry |
You can tell a lot about the new cars consumers are considering buying by looking at which ones are most-frequently searched on the Internet's automotive sites. At least that's the theory advanced by Kelly Blue Book, which tracks the vehicles researched on it's website.
For 2011, here are the top five brands in terms of consumer search quiries:
- Toyota with 14.2 percent
- Ford with 13.5 percent
- Honda with 12.8 percent
- Chevrolet with 11.5 percent
- Hyundai with 7.5 percent
Biggest mover
Hyundai was this year's biggest mover, closing in the fifth position on the 2011 top five most-researched brand list, replacing Nissan from last year. Kelly attributes Hyundai's increased popularity among car shoppers in part due to Honda and Toyota delivering their vehicles at a low production rate because of the Japanese tsunami and recent Thai floods.
Many consumers turned to Hyundai for their new-car purchase during this time with the lack of vehicles in the marketplace. Hyundai's roll out of the Equus and Veloster, in addition with the redesign of the Accent and Azera, were also considerable factors that translated into Hyundai's increased market share on kbb.com. The Hyundai Elantra and Sonata had a high level of prosperity this year, which generated brand interest among car shoppers, Kelly said.
Toyota increases its standing
Toyota retained its number one spot and the brand's market share increased one percent on kbb.com. This year, Ford moved up one position to the second brand researched most from 10.2 percent in 2010 to 13.5 percent this year. Honda moved down to number three on the list, while Chevrolet remained the fourth brand researched when compared to 2010.
Significant to this year's models list is the absence of luxury brands among the top 20 most-researched new vehicles on kbb.com. The BMW 3 Series held position 18 last year; however, with uneasy economic conditions and rising gas prices during the first and second quarters, many luxury owners and shoppers moved toward non-luxury brands on the site. Rising fuel prices also allowed the hybrid segment to thrive earlier in the year with the Toyota Prius benefitting most, moving eight spots this year to number nine.
Luxury takes a hit
"Luxury brands were hit the hardest this year; not one luxury vehicle made it on Kelley Blue Book's 2011 most-researched list," said Arthur Henry, manager of market intelligence for Kelley Blue Book. "They simply didn't fit into many consumers' budgets, especially with the gas price hike earlier this year."
This year's success story is the Hyundai Elantra, entering the top 20 most-researched new vehicles list at No. 7, jumping 29 positions from 2010. Henry said Elantra's victory can be attributed to the vehicle's top-rated fuel efficiency, affordability, superior redesign and Hyundai's increased popularity among consumers.
