SAN FRANCISCO -

In light of what analysts believe to be younger, less-brand-loyal consumers, Jumpstart Automotive Group discovered the Big Three scored big with online shoppers during the first quarter.

Jumpstart’s quarterly report highlighted the vehicle segments, makes, and models that captured the largest share of online auto shoppers during Q1, assessing traffic figures from the company’s 12 automotive digital titles, including Car and Driver, U.S. News Automotive, J.D. Power Autos, and NADAguides.

“So far this year, there have been quite a few success stories among domestic auto brands,” said Libby Murad-Patel, Jumpstart’s senior director of strategic insights. “The industry is changing, driven by a younger, less brand-loyal segment of car buyers who spend more time online shopping comparable makes and models.

“Automakers, particularly the domestic brands, have turned up the volume on quality, affordability, reliability, and technology, which is leveling out the playing field in segments typically dominated by imports,” Murad-Patel continued

Here are the highlights from Jumpstart Automotive Group’s Q1 Shopping Report. Numbers reported below are represented as a percentage share of online shoppers across Jumpstart’s portfolio.

Luxury

—Luxury sedan shoppers now represent 29 percent of all sedan shoppers, up a full point from 2012 marking an increase of nearly 4 percent year-over-year.

—The recently launched Cadillac ATS has quickly moved its way into the Top 10 — grabbing almost a 5-percent share of the luxury sedan segment since its release in late summer of last year.

—Luxury CUVs now represent 41 percent of all CUVs on Jumpstart sites, growing 8 percent from last year.

—With an increase of 62 percent, Chevrolet Corvette grabbed the No. 1 spot in total shopper share of all vehicles across Jumpstart’s portfolio of sites.

—Cadillac Escalade held tight to the No. 1 luxury SUV spot, increasing 17 percent in share of luxury SUV shoppers.

Sedans

—Ford Focus was the only sedan in the Top 3 to increase its share of Jumpstart shoppers.

—Chevrolet experienced the greatest positive movement in the sedan segment in Q1 with the Impala gaining 17 percent in share and the Malibu gaining 23 percent in share.

—The Nissan Leaf, new to the Top 10, has nearly 3 percent share of alternative fuel vehicles.

SUVs

—Jeep now has three SUVs — Wrangler, Grand Cherokee, and Liberty — in the Top 10 with a combined share of nearly 17 percent.

—Ford secured the top two SUV spots with its Escape and Explorer.

—Chevrolet Tahoe saw the biggest increase in SUV share of shoppers (up 61 percent) of all vehicles in this segment.

—Subaru Forester had a 40-percent growth in the SUV category, increasing Subaru’s share of shoppers across Jumpstart shoppers overall

CUVs

—Chevrolet Equinox maintained the top spot in the CUV segment with more than an 11-percent share.

—In line with Jumpstart’s prediction last year that the gap between the Edge and the Equinox would continue to diminish as the Edge attracted new (and repeat) buyers, Ford Edge nabbed a larger CUV market share in Q1 compared to its 2012 average

Analysts went on to share three more findings from their first-quarter report, including:

—In the Alternative Fuel segment, Ford C-MAX grew 108 percent in share, catapulting it three spots on the Top 10 list ahead of Toyota Highlander Hybrid and Honda CR-Z.

—Ford F-150 grew 31 percent in share last quarter, jumping four spots to the No. 3 position in total shopper share.

—With a 32-percent increase in share, Ford Explorer made its way to the Top 10 for the first time ever.

To download the complete report, including auto segment data, import brand statistics, and additional domestic brand info, go to this website.

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