ATLANTA, May 14, 2008 – For the fourth year running, America’s most affluent consumers have declared Porsche the most prestigious car available today. The Luxury Institute’s 2008 independent nationwide survey of luxury auto brands rated Porsche tops against eleven of the world’s most prestigious car brands. Lexus and Mercedes ranked second and third, respectively.
The Luxury Institute conducted an online survey of more than 1,600 American consumers – with an average income of $349,000 and average net worth of $3.7 million. This year’s survey respondents strongly associated Porsche with its stellar performance reputation, summing up their top choice as “world-class sports cars for the true connoisseur.” The proprietary 2008 Luxury Brand Status Index survey is the only measure of the reputation of leading brands among wealthy Americans.
“The Luxury Institute’s surveys are impartial and objective,” said Milton Pedraza, CEO of the Luxury Institute. “Our surveys inform luxury CEOs on the health of their brands in no uncertain terms so they can take action to enhance relationships with prospects and customers.”
“Customer perception is everything in the luxury car market. This distinction helps us know that we are successfully delivering on our brand values in a very competitive automobile market,” said Detlev von Platen, Porsche Cars North America President and CEO.
The Luxury Institute is the uniquely independent and impartial ratings and research institution that is the trusted and respected voice of the high net-worth consumer. The Institute provides a portfolio of proprietary publications and research that educates high net-worth individuals and the companies that cater to them on leading edge trends, high net-worth consumer rankings and ratings of luxury brands, and best practices. The Luxury Institute also operates the Luxury Board (www.luxuryboard.com), the world’s first global, membership-based online community for luxury goods and services executives, professionals and entrepreneurs. To reach the Luxury Institute, please call 646-792-2669 or go to www.luxuryinstitute.com.
Porsche Cars North America, Inc., based in Atlanta, Ga., and, Porsche Cars Canada, Ltd., based in Mississauga, Ont., are the two importers of Porsche sports cars and Cayenne sport utility vehicles for the United States and Canada respectively. Each is a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Dr. Ing.h.c. F. Porsche AG. Combined, these two subsidiaries employ approximately 250 people who provide Porsche vehicles, parts, service, marketing and training for 200 U.S. and 12 Canadian dealers. They, in turn, provide Porsche owners with best-in-class service.