BMW IS MOST SATISFACTORY BUY

BMW South Africa has been ranked the highest in satisfying new vehicle buyers during the purchase experience, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2010 SA Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI) Study released today. 

Now in its sixth year, the SSI Study is a comprehensive assessment of the new-vehicle purchase experience and is encapsulated in an overall sales satisfaction score for each nameplate. Overall sales satisfaction scores are comprised

of 32 attributes grouped in five factors: dealership facility; salesperson; paperwork/finance process; delivery process; and negotiated price.

BMW ranked the highest with a score of 893 on a 1 000-point scale, and also sets the industry benchmark in all five factors. Mercedes-Benz (882) and Honda (864) follow BMW in the rankings.

“Our Dealer Network succeeded in each of the five disciplines measured in this award demonstrating that our sales processes are the benchmark in the industry,” says Bodo Donauer, BMW South Africa’s Managing Director.

Since the inception of the SSI Study in 2004, BMW has won the award on three occasions – first in 2004, then 2007 and most recently in 2010. “The award also bears testimony that our processes in this regard deliver a consistently excellent experience to our customers, further cementing BMW’s position as the world’s leading premium manufacturer,” adds Donauer. 

In addition to this accolade, BMW ended 2010 as the country’s top selling luxury car brand. 

“It is quite an accomplishment to see that BMW has performed the best in its segment and won the 2010 SSI award in the same year,” says Brian Walters, senior director of J.D. Power and Associates research operations in Europe and Africa.

The 2010 SSI Study is based on responses from more than 7 300 new-vehicle buyers who purchased their vehicle between November 2009 and June 2010. The study was funded entirely by J.D. Power and Associates as part of its global research programs, in co-operation with the Department of Transport (DOT) and the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), and includes a section of questions to assist the authorities in measuring the performance of their vehicle and drivers licensing program.

STORY BY BMW