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Nov 02, 2009 -- Auto-buyers showing unprecedented decline in brand loyalty

Auto-buyers have lost all brand loyalty when they go to purchase a new vehicle, according to CNW Research.

Historically, it was almost a given that people would buy the brand they were already driving. Yet only one in five shoppers this past year replaced a vehicle with the same brand they previously had in their driveway. This is an unprecedented development.

Our loyalty to a particular nameplate has been broken. People want the best deal and the best vehicle for their money. This has been a disastrous development for auto marketers. The Detroit newspapers report that manufacturers are putting the blame on their ad agencies and firing them. But the real problem is that the market is too competitive and the quality of vehicles too good.

That's turned us into free agents with shifting allegiances. Our free agency puts continuing pressure on manufacturers to keep delivering quality vehicles at affordable prices.

But remember, you must be a non-emotional shopper and do your homework. Follow our step-by-step guide for tips. And be sure to consider multiple models from multiple brands to suss out the best deal.

Unfortunately, Clark won't be able to answer any questions submitted via commenting. If you have a question, please try posting it to our message boards.

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What others are saying

  • Government Motors
    No car purchase ever from Nobama's Government Motors
  • tv ads
    I wont ever buy a GM or Chrysler again. GM signed deals to make all their parts in India and China. thats sure some way to thank the american taxpayer.I laugh everytime i see Howie Long pushing GMs new 60 day return policy, what they dont tell you on tv is it will cost you dealer fees tag tax title fees and others averaging $5000 to return the car for 60days use. thats some deal8lkhw
  • No government car for me
    I will not touch a GM or Chrysler product. I give Ford credit for not going under like those other two junk piles did. I drive a Hyundai and a Toyota and have had no problems.
  • loyality is a hard win
    Like many if I have a bad experience with a car I hesitate to venture back to that manufacturer for some time or maybe even forever. I had disasters with a 91 For Taurus and its hard overcoming such a bad experience - however I will not buy a GM or Chrysler due to the way their unions and their Dem buddies agreed to steal from the taxpayer. Which pains me, I am a long time lover of the Mopar product!
  • People Love Beetles.......OXOXOXOXOXOXOX
    Beetles are often a car that has a brand loyalty following.

    Many families have had several Volkswagen products going back many decades.
  • Buy American, Buy Ford. Or...
    The only American auto company that didn't beg for a bailout and they just posted over a billion dollar profit this week, Ford. If you buy foreign and have had great luck with them then by all means stick with that brand, I find that Honda and Toyota owners seem to be the most loyal not including the rich snobs who buy BMW and Mercedes. GM in my opinion is a traitor to both country and progress, ever since they killed the GM EV(electric vehicle)line and replaced it with Hummer, ever since they sold the majority of their battery technology rights to Texaco/Chevron, originally whom they conned from a great entrepreneur who wanted to make 300+MPC(miles per charge)batteries for them but then entrusted GM with this technology only to have them betray him and the American people, and then after they begged for a bailout after decades of paying both management and laborers MEGA hourly wages and salaries and the CEOs and others at the top getting GIANT bonuses, and UUGGHHH!!!!! GM should be dead and buried. Chrysler just makes bad autos and should fade away on that reason alone.

    The only thing I buy new are my sport bikes, one every 4-6 years. For autos since 1990 I have bought an 87 Nissan PU in 90, a 93 Talon in 97, a 93 Jimmy in 98 and a 99 Bonneville in 01. Total spent on autos since I've had a drivers license, under 30k with maybe 5k in repairs, that's for almost 20 years of driving. I know some folks who spend this every few years or so, DUMB. My next car will be a Ford hybrid or electric. Total spent on sport bikes since 1990, 52k after I purchase my new bike in 2010 not subtracting what I gotten in trade-ins and not adding gear and extras with each bike purchase. One could call this hobby of mine, VERY DUMB. Man can I type after a few espressos. I'm so glad I'm not a big car or truck guy, an auto is for getting from point A to point B, nothing more.
  • Government Motors
    If you have any affinity for free markets, please do not buy a GM or Chrysler product. There must be a price paid by those companies for ripping off the tax payers. The GAO has already declared that they will not be able to pay back the money that they stole from the taxpayers. Viva La Ford or any other car maker that is not a freeloading looter.
  • loyality
    I beleive in GM. I dont want my tax dollars go to waste. Also, if it doesn't have a bowtie, it is not classy enough for me to drive!
  • car
    Funny, just yesterday I spoke to two different people who said they would never buy another Hyundai. Me? I'm married to Honda after 20+ years of stellar performance and service.
  • nope
    I also refuse to buy a GM or a Chrysler. They're controlled by the government and built by union hacks; reminds me of the Soviet Union.
  • Brand loyalty
    I agree 100% with this. I know 4 people who plan on buying from another car manufacturer; 2 of those are Hyundai.
  • Yup
    I won't buy another GM or Chrysler because of the bailouts and the mismanagement at those companies. The next new car (if I ever buy new again) will be a Ford.
  • True
    I was going to replace my nearly 10 year old Honda Civic with another Civic, but for $5000 less I got a Hyundai Elantra.
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