WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. -

A total of 18 different nameplates topped the industry average that reached an all-time high since J.D. Power and Associates began orchestrating the U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study.

With the industry average increasing to 781 on a 1,000-point scale, J.D. Power indicated that figure is greater than any average analysts have seen since rolling out this study back in 1996.

Last year, the average was 778, prompting J.D. Power to insist Wednesday that as the industry battles through another difficult year, manufacturers are fighting to win customers by offering the most appealing vehicles in history.

Leading the way in the 2011 APEAL study was Porsche with a score of 879, followed by Jaguar (857), BMW (850), Land Rover (841) and Audi (835).

Furthermore, J.D. Power discovered recently launched all-new and redesigned models are substantially more appealing than their carryover counterparts, widening the gap in score for a second consecutive year.

In this year’s study, analysts indicated the gap was 29 points, compared with 18 points a year ago and 10 points in 2009. They said this improvement was partially driven by higher ratings for vehicle styling and fuel economy provided by owners of recently launched vehicles.

“The auto industry has taken a battering during the past few years,” acknowledged David Sargent, vice president of global vehicle research at J.D. Power.

“However, it is clear that throughout this period, automakers have never lost sight of the fact that survival — and ultimately success — only comes from winning over customers in the showroom. Offering highly appealing vehicles is one of the primary means to succeed,” Sargent continued.

While the J.D. Power 2011 Initial Quality Study that was released last month found that all-new and redesigned models have more problems on average than do carryover models, analysts pointed out the 2011 APEAL Study determined these same models are more likely to offer the styling, performance and features buyers seek.

“There are two sides of the quality coin: things gone right and things gone wrong,” Sargent explained.

“Both are of critical importance, and models that perform well on both measures generate higher levels of recommendation and, ultimately, higher loyalty to the brand,” he continued.

“In general, customers are also willing to pay more for vehicles that combine high appeal with high initial quality,” Sargent added.

Model-Level and Nameplate Rankings

J.D. Power discovered BMW and Dodge each captured three segment-level awards.

BMW models received awards for the X3, Z4 Roadster and 5 Series, while Dodge took honors awards for the Challenger, Charger and Durango. J.D. Power pointed out the Charger, Durango, X3 and 5 Series are all redesigned for the 2011 model year.

Analysts went on to mention Ford and Honda captured two model-level awards each, with Ford receiving awards for the all-new Fiesta and F-150 LD and Honda receiving awards for the Ridgeline and redesigned Odyssey.

Also receiving awards were the Chevrolet Volt, Hyundai Equus, Land Rover Range Rover, Lexus IS, MINI Countryman, Nissan Armada, Porsche Cayenne, Scion xB, Suzuki Kizashi and Volkswagen GTI.

Of these units, J.D. Power noted the Countryman, Equus and Volt are all-new models, while the Cayenne is redesigned.

Analysts highlighted the Equus achieved the highest APEAL score of any model in the industry in 2011. This is the first year that a model other than the BMW 7 Series, Lexus LS or Mercedes-Benz S-Class has led the overall model ranking.

Three models ranked highest in their respective segments in both the 2011 APEAL Study and the 2011 IQS: the Dodge Challenger, Ford F-150 LD and Honda Ridgeline.

Also noteworthy, Porsche is the highest-ranking nameplate in the 2011 APEAL Study for a seventh consecutive year. J.D. Power said Hyundai improved from 2010 more than any other nameplate, while Jeep and Chrysler also improved considerably.

“We’ve listened to our customers and made significant improvements across the product line, launching 16 all-new or extensively updated vehicles in the past year,” stated Doug Betts, senior vice president of quality at Chrysler Group.

“We worked very hard to make our vehicles truly competitive with the best vehicles in their respective segments. It’s nice to see this effort being recognized by our customers,” Betts continued.

“Different customers have different opinions about what makes a quality vehicle,” Betts went on to say. “At Chrysler Group, we define and measure six different types of quality. We’ve set aggressive internal targets, and our progress is starting to show up in third-party surveys, as well.”

Reaction to performance in this J.D. Power study from another domestic automaker had a similar tone. Ford executives stressed various strengths of their lineup, too.

“Ford is an industry leader in fuel efficiency, and customers are pleased with the way we are helping them at the pump,” stated Bennie Fowler, Ford’s group vice president of global quality and new model launches. "Ford also is absolutely committed to the highest vehicle quality, delivering vehicles that surprise and delight customers while eliminating defects.”

Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s group vice president of global product development, added, “Customers are falling in love with Ford vehicles at first sight and growing even fonder of them over time. Customers increasingly are saying our fuel efficiency leadership is a reason to buy a Ford vehicle.”

Study Explanation

J.D. Power reiterated the APEAL Study examines how gratifying a new vehicle is to own and drive, based on owner evaluations of more than 80 vehicle attributes.

The 2011 APEAL Study was based on responses gathered between February and May from more than 73,000 purchasers and lessees of new 2011 model-year cars and trucks who were surveyed after the first 90 days of ownership.

“The APEAL Study complements the Initial Quality Study (IQS), which focuses on problems experienced by owners during the first 90 days of ownership,” J.D. Power pointed out.

2011 APEAL Nameplate Ranking

—Porsche: 879
—Jaguar: 857
—BMW: 850
—Land Rover: 841
—Audi: 835
—Mercedes-Benz: 832
—Lexus: 827
—Mini: 824
—Lincoln: 820
—Cadillac: 816
—Acura: 808
—Infiniti: 806
—Volvo: 803
—Volkswagen: 798
—Hyundai: 793
—Ford: 785
—Buick: 783
—Scion: 782
—Industry Average: 781
—GMC: 778
—Kia: 777
—Chrysler: 775
—Chevrolet: 774
—Ram: 773
—Mazda: 769
—Mitsubishi: 767
—Dodge: 764
—Toyota: 763
—Honda: 762
—Nissan: 762
—Jeep: 759
—Subaru: 758
—Suzuki: 734

Top 3 Models Per Segment

Subcompact Car
—Highest Ranked: Ford Fiesta
—Mazda MAZDA2
—Honda Fit

Compact Car
—Highest Ranked: Chevrolet Volt
—Volkswagen Golf
—Mitsubishi Lancer

Compact Sporty Car
—Highest Ranked: Volkswagen GTI
—Mini Cooper

Compact Premium Sporty Car
—Highest Ranked: BMW Z4 Roadster
—Mercedes-Benz E-Class Convertible/Cabriolet

Entry Premium Car
—Highest Ranked: Lexus IS
—BMW 3 Series
—Volkswagen CC

Midsize Sporty Car
—Highest Ranked: Dodge Challenger
—Chevrolet Camaro

Midsize Premium Car
—Highest Ranked: BMW 5 Series

Large Premium Car
—Highest Ranked: Hyundai Equus
—BMW 7 Series
—Audi A8

Midsize Car
—Highest Ranked: Suzuki Kizashi
—Hyundai Sonata
—Kia Optima

Large Car
—Highest Ranked: Dodge Charger
—Ford Taurus
—Nissan Maxima

Compact Crossover/SUV
—Highest Ranked: Mini Countryman
—Volkswagen Tiguan
—Hyundai Tuscon

Compact MPV
—Highest Ranked: Scion xB
—Kia Soul

Entry Premium Crossover/SUV
—Highest Ranked: BMW X3
—Audi Q5
—Volvo XC60

Midsize Crossover/SUV
—Highest Ranked: Dodge Durango
—Ford Flex
—Ford Explorer

Large Crossover/SUV
—Highest Ranked: Nissan Armada
—Chevrolet Tahoe
—Ford Expedition

Midsize Premium Crossover/SUV
—Highest Ranked: Porsche Cayenne
—BMW X6
—Audi Q7

Large Premium Crossover/SUV
—Highest Ranked: Land Rover Range Rover
—Land Rover Range Rover Sport
—Mercedes-Benz GL Class

Large Pickup
—Highest Ranked: Ford F-150 LD
—Chevrolet Avalanche
—Ford F-250/F-350 Super Duty

Midsize Pickup
—Highest Ranked: Honda Ridgeline
—Nissan Frontier
—Toyota Tacoma

Minivan
—Highest Ranked: Honda Odyssey