Design News for Mechanical and Design Engineers

Research was undertaken to determine design engineers’ driving habits and to obtain their opinions about passenger vehicles in general. The study specifically examines the following issues:

• Current passenger vehicles driven and future selections

• Importance of attributes and engineering features in future passenger vehicle selections

• Opinions regarding safest passenger vehicles made

• Subscribers views on dream cars, economy cars, value cars and luxury cars

• Best engineered passenger vehicles in the U.S.

• Improvement in quality/performance

• Issues pertaining to safety, fuel efficiency and fuel alternatives

Methodology:

On May 6^th, 1999, 2000 questionnaires were mailed to a random selection of Design News subscribers. A quarter and a postage-paid, self-addressed envelope were included with each questionnaire as a response incentive.

As of June 14^th, a total of 506 completed surveys were returned, representing a response rate of 25%. A sample of the survey can be found in the Technical Appendices of this report.

Current Auto Trends - Make

Nearly 20% of Design News readers currently drive a passenger vehicle manufactured by Ford. The next most mentioned maker of passenger vehicles is Chevrolet. Twenty-one other vehicle makes were listed by 1% or fewer respondents. For a complete list, see table 1-1 in the appendices.

 

Q1.a What is the make and year of passenger vehicle you drive now?

Current Auto Trends - Model

The passenger vehicle model Ford Taurus/Taurus SHO is currently driven by 3% of those surveyed. In addition to the models listed below, several other models were listed by 1% or fewer respondents. For a complete list, see table 1-1 in the appendices.

Q1.a/b What is the make/model and year of the passenger vehicle you drive now?

Future Auto Trends

Twenty-eight percent of respondents would buy a GM passenger vehicle if they were buying today. Ford and Chrysler are the next most popular makes of passenger vehicles, with 17% and 16% of respondents respectively choosing them.

 

Q2. If you were to buy a new passenger vehicle today, what would you buy?

Importance of Attributes

Sixty-eight percent of respondents rate reliability as the first, second or third most important attribute for the next passenger vehicle they will purchase. Price and safety round out the 3 most important attributes. The least important attribute according to 52% of respondents is a sound system.

Q3. Rate the three most important attributes and the least important attribute of your next new passenger vehicle.

Manufacturer of Safest Passenger Vehicle

Nearly 50% of respondents feel Volvo manufacturers the safest passenger vehicle on the market today. This is more than two times the percentage of respondents who say Mercedes makes the safest passenger vehicle and four times those who say Ford does. In addition to the manufacturers listed below, several other companies were listed by fewer than 1% of respondents. For a complete list, see table 4-1 in the appendices.

 

Q4. Which manufacturer makes the safest passenger vehicle today?

Safety Technology

Eighty percent of respondents feel crash resistant vehicle structures are a major safety improvement.

 

Q5. Rate the following technologies in terms of their ability to make driving safer. ( Please rate each technology where 1= no safety improvement and 5= major safety improvement)

Important Features

Forty-five percent of respondents feel anti-lock brakes are a very important feature for their next new passenger vehicle purchase. Thirty-five percent say dual air bags are very important.

Q6. How important are each of the following factors in you next new passenger vehicle?

Dream Passenger Vehicle - Make

Fifteen percent of those surveyed would choose to purchase a Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicle if price or practicality were not of concern. Twelve percent would buy a passenger vehicle manufactured by Chevrolet. In addition to the makes listed below, several other makes were listed by 2% or fewer respondents. For a complete list, see table 7-1 in the appendices.

Q7. If you could choose any new passenger vehicle without any concerns for price or practicality, what would you select as your dream passenger vehicle?

Dream Passenger Vehicle - Model

Six percent of those surveyed would choose to purchase Chevrolet Corvette if price or practicality were not of concern. Six percent would buy a Dodge Viper. Several other models, which are not listed below, were mentioned by 1% or fewer respondents. For a complete list please refer to table 7-1 in the appendices.

Q7. If you could choose any new passenger vehicle without any concerns for price or practicality, what would you select as your dream passenger vehicle?

Top Five Reasons for Selecting Dream Car - Make

Mercedes-Benz

(13) Reliability/durability

(11) Safety Features

9. Style/appearance

7. Luxury

6. Design/structure/engineering/well-built

Chevrolet

(9) Large size/weight

(8) Performance

(8) Speed/power/acceleration

(7) Style/appearance

5. Comfortable

Dodge

(15) Style/appearance

9. Speed/power/acceleration

(7) Performance

3. Large size/weight

2. Low cost/best value/affordable

    

   BMW

   (7) Good handling

   (7) Style/appearance

   (6) Comfortable

3. Performance

   (4) Quality/quality control

4. Reliability/durability

Ford

(6) Meets buyers requirements

(6) Style/appearance

(5) Large size/weight

(3) Family-oriented

(3) Four wheel drive/off road

3. Speed/power/acceleration

Cadillac

(7) Comfortable

(5) Large size/weight

(4) Luxury

(4) Reliability/durability

3. Style/appearance

Lexus

(7) Reliability/durability

(6) Comfortable

(6) Style/appearance

(5) Quality/quality control

3. Design/structure/engineering/well-built

Jaguar

(10) Style/appearance

(3) Performance

(2) Comfortable

2. Luxury

(2) Overall best

Lincoln

3. Comfortable

(5) Safety features (non-specific)

(3) Good handling

(3) Large size/weight

(3) Luxury

(3) Style/appearance

Toyota

(8) Reliability/durability

(3) Large size/weight

(2) Four wheel drive/off road

(2) Safety features (non-specific)

(2) Style/appearance

Q7. Why?

Best New Passenger Vehicle - Under $15,000

Below are the seven cars most frequently mentioned by those surveyed. Many other cars were mentioned by 4% or fewer respondents, for a complete list see table 9-1 in the appendices.

 

Q8. What is the best new passenger vehicle on the market today for: UNDER $15,000?

Worst New Passenger Vehicle - Under $15,000

Below are the six cars most frequently mentioned by those surveyed. Many other cars were mentioned by 3% or fewer respondents For a complete list, see table 10-1 in the appendices.

Q8. What is the worst new passenger vehicle on the market today for: UNDER $15,000?

Best New Passenger Vehicle - $15,000 to $24,999

Below are the six cars most frequently mentioned by those surveyed for this price range. Many other cars were mentioned by 2% or fewer respondents. For a complete list see table 11-1 in the appendices.

Q8. What is the best new passenger vehicle on the market today for: $15,000 to $24,999?

Worst New Passenger Vehicle - $15,000 to $24,999

Below are the nine cars most frequently mentioned by those surveyed. Many other cars were mentioned by 2% or fewer respondents. For a complete list, see table 12-1 in the appendices.

Q8. What is the worst new passenger vehicle on the market today for: $15,000 to $24,999?

Best New Passenger Vehicle - $25,000 to $44,999

Below are the nine cars most frequently mentioned by those surveyed. Many other cars were mentioned by fewer than 3% of respondents. For a complete list, see table 13-1 in the appendices.

 

Q8. What is the best new passenger vehicle on the market today for: $25,000 to $44,999?

Worst New Passenger Vehicle - $25,000 to $44,999

Below are the nine cars most frequently mentioned by those surveyed. Many other cars were mentioned by fewer than 3% of respondents. For a complete list, see table 14-1 in the appendices.

Q8. What is the worst new passenger vehicle on the market today for: $25,000 to $44,999?

Best New Passenger Vehicle - $45,000 or More

Below are the eight cars most frequently mentioned by those surveyed. Many other cars were mentioned by fewer than 3% of respondents. For a complete list, see table 15-1 in the appendices.

Q8. What is the best new passenger vehicle on the market today for: $45,000 or more?

Worst New Passenger Vehicle - $45,000 or More

Thirteen percent of respondents feel that a Jaguar (non-specific) is the worst new car for $45,000 or more on the market today. Below are the eleven cars most frequently mentioned by those surveyed. Many other cars were mentioned by fewer than 3% of respondents, for a complete list see table 15-1 in the appendices.

Q8. What is the worst new passenger vehicle on the market today for: $45,000 or more?

Best Engineered U.S. Passenger Vehicle - Make

Twenty-one percent of those surveyed feel Ford manufactures the best engineered passenger vehicles in the U.S. Seventeen percent feel Cadillac is the best engineered passenger vehicle in the U.S. In addition to the makes listed below, several other makes were mentioned by 3% or fewer respondents. For a complete list, please see table 17-1 in the appendices.

Q9. What is the best engineered U.S. passenger vehicle?

Best Engineered U.S. Passenger Vehicles - Model

The Ford Taurus/Taurus SHO is the best engineered U.S. passenger vehicle according to twelve percent of those surveyed. In addition to the models listed below, several other models were mentioned by 2% or fewer respondents. For a complete list, please see table 17-1 in the appendices.

 

Q9. What is the best engineered U.S. passenger vehicle?

Top Reasons Make is Considered Best Engineered U.S. Passenger Vehicle

Ford

(17) Reliability/durability

(15) Safety features (non-specific)

(8) Low cost/best value/affordable

(5) Comfortable

(5) Design/structure/engineering/well-built

5. Good handling

Cadillac

(11) Navistar system/Northstar system

(6) Comfortable

5. New technology/innovations

4. High tech engine/engine performance

4. Performance

(4) Luxury

4. Reliability/durability

4. Style/appearance

Chrysler

(11) Design/structure/engineering/well-built

(7) Style/appearance

(6) New technology/innovations

(4) Good handling

4. Low cost/best value/affordable

    

   Chevrolet

   (7) Design/structure/engineering/well-built

5. Comfortable

(5) Good handling

(5) High tech engine/engine performance

(5) Performance

(5) New technology/innovations

Dodge

(5) Style/appearance

(4) New technology/innovations

(4) Design/structure/engineering/well-built

3. Low cost/best value/affordable

Lincoln

3. Design/structure/engineering/well-built

4. Reliability/durability

2. Features (non-specific)

   (2) Overall best

    

   Saturn

   (3) Reliability/durability

   (2) Design/structure/engineering/well-built

    

   Buick

   (2) High tech engine/engine performance

   (2) Large size/weight

    

   Q9. Why?

   Best Engineered Import Passenger Vehicle - Make

   Twenty-two percent of respondents feel Mercedes-Benz manufactures the best engineered import passenger vehicle. Other makes of passenger vehicles were mentioned by 3% or fewer respondents. For a complete list, please refer to table 19-1 in the appendices.

   

   Q10. What is the best engineered import passenger vehicle?

   Best Engineered Import Passenger Vehicle - Model

   Twelve percent of those surveyed say the Mercedes-Benz (non-specific) is the best engineered import passenger vehicle. Toyota Camry receives the most votes among specific models. In addition to the models listed below, several others were mentioned by 3% or fewer respondents. For a complete list, please refer to table 19-1 in the appendices.

   

   Q10. What is the best engineered import passenger vehicle?

   Top Reasons Make is Considered Best Engineered Import Passenger Vehicle

    

   Mercedes-Benz

   (13) Reliability/durability

   (10) Design/structure/engineering/well-built

   (7) Safety feature (non-specific)

   (5) Quality/quality control

   (5) Reputation

   Toyota

   (25) Reliability/durability

   (4) Comfortable

   (3) Good handling

   (3) Performance

   (3) Quality/quality control

3. Style/appearance

BMW

(5) Design/structure/engineering/well-built

(5) Performance

(5) Style/appearance

(4) Good handling

(4) Reliability/durability

Volvo

(13) Safety feature (non-specific)

(4) Reliability/durability

(3) Quality/quality control

Lexus

(7) Reliability/durability

(6) Performance

(4) Comfortable

(4) Style/appearance

(3) Design/structure/engineering/well-built

(3) Quality/quality control

Subaru

2. Four wheel drive/off road

2. Reliability/durability

Q10. Why?

Consider Electric Vehicle

Thirty percent of those surveyed would consider buying an electric vehicle.

Q11. Would you consider buying an electric vehicle?

Consider a Hybrid Vehicle

Forty-six percent of those surveyed would consider buying a hybrid vehicle.

Q12. Would you consider buying a hybrid vehicle?

Viable Price for Electric Vehicle

Forty-two percent of respondents say electric vehicles would become a viable buying alternative if they were to cost between $10,000 and $19,999. Twenty-six percent of those surveyed would not be willing to purchase an electric vehicle at any price.

Q13. What price would make an electric vehicle become a viable buying alternative for you?

Innovations in New Passenger Vehicles

Eleven percent of respondents would like to see collision avoidance systems as an innovation in new passenger vehicles. Several other innovations were mentioned by 3% or fewer of those surveyed. For a complete list, please refer to table 23-1 in the appendices.

 

Q14. Which innovation would you most like to see in all new cars?

Best in Technical Know-How and Business Acumen

Eighteen percent of respondents feel Ford is the world-wide auto manufacturer who shows the best combination of technical know-how and business acumen. Several other world wide auto manufacturers were mentioned by 3% or fewer respondents. For a complete list, please refer to table 24-1 in the appendices.

Q15. Which world-wide auto manufacturer shows the best combination of technical know-how and business acumen?

Most Improvement in Quality/Performance

Thirty-four percent of respondents view Chrysler as the passenger vehicle manufacturer that has shown the most improvement in quality/performance in the past 5 years. Several other manufacturers were mentioned by 1% or fewer respondents. For a complete list, please refer to table 25-1 in the appendices.

Q16. Which passenger vehicle maker’s products have shown the most improvement in quality/ performance in the past 5 years?

Most Important Engineering Challenge

Nearly thirty percent of those surveyed believe the most important engineering challenge Detroit faces in the next ten years is developing an alternate fuel. Almost as many, 27%, say reducing vehicle manufacturing cost is the most important challenge.

Q17. What’s the most important engineering challenge Detroit faces in the next ten years?

Single Most Likely Innovation for Powertrain Systems

Twenty-five respondents say the single most likely innovation for powertrain systems in the next five years is alternate/alternative fuel/engine. Please see table 27-1 for a list of additional innovations, as well as exact comments from all respondents.

Powertrain

Alternate/alternative fuel/engine (25)

Electric hybrid/hybrid (24)

Fuel economy/efficiency (23)

Fuel cell (14)

Electric (13)

Continuously variable transmission (10)

More power (9)

All wheel drive (7)

Variable (6)

Efficiency (4)

Q18. What will be the single most likely innovation for each of the following systems in the next five years?

Single Most Likely Innovation for Structure Systems

Nearly fifty respondents say the single most likely innovation for structure systems in the next five years will be crash resistance/safety. Please see table 28-1 for a list of additional innovations, as well as exact comments from all respondents.

 

Structure

Crash resistance/safety (48)

Composite (46)

Light/light weight (25)

Aluminum (22)

Plastic (18)

Stronger (11)

Stiff/rigid (9)

Carbon fiber (6)

Hydro formed/framed (6)

Q18. What will be the single most likely innovation for each of the following systems in the next five years?

Single Most Likely Innovation for Suspension/Steering Systems

Thirty respondents say the single most likely innovation for suspension/steering systems in the next five years will be active suspension. Please see table 29-1 for a list of additional innovations, as well as exact comments from all respondents.

Suspension/steering

Active suspension (30)

Computer controlled (9)

Drive by wire (9)

4 Wheel drive/steering (8)

Adaptive suspension (6)

Adjustable (6)

Collision avoidance (6)

Q18. What will be the single most likely innovation for each of the following systems in the next five years?

New vs. Used Vehicle Purchase

Fifty-seven percent of respondents would buy a new passenger vehicle.

 

Q19.a If you were going to buy an passenger vehicle, would you buy a new or used vehicle?

Reasons for Buying a New Vehicle

One-quarter of those surveyed would choose to buy a new car based on the benefit of a warranty. "Reliability/dependability/trouble-free" and "no surprises/don’t have to worry about previous owner/know history" are then next most frequent reasons cited for buying a new vehicle.

In addition to the reasons listed below, several others were mentioned by 1% or fewer respondents. For a complete list, please see table 31-1 in the appendices.

Q19.b Why would you buy: New Vehicle?

Reasons for Buying a Used Vehicle

Three-quarters of those surveyed choose to buy a used car based on the benefit of a "lower price/ better value". Depreciation is another reason mentioned by 22% of respondents.

Q19.b Why would you buy: Used Vehicle?

Role of Internet in Purchase

Eighty-seven percent of respondents would use the Internet to obtain information on vehicles. Nine percent of respondents say the Internet would not play a role in the purchase of a passenger vehicle

 

Q20. If you were to buy a passenger vehicle, what role would the Internet play in your purchase?

Demographics

Nineteen percent of those surveyed are engineers in an auto related field.