Survey:
Kia.com
Ranks Highest Among Automotive Manufacturer Web Sites
Auto
Manufacturer Web Sites Continue to Improve the Online Shopping
Experience
Kia
ranks highest in an improving field of automotive manufacturer Web sites, according
to the J.D. Power and Associates 2003 Manufacturer Web Site Evaluation Study (SM)
released recently. While
the Kia site has been among the top seven most useful sites in nearly every MWES
study over the past four years, this is the first time Kia has ranked highest.
The three manufacturer Web sites that follow Kia in the rankings - Hyundai, Honda
and Cadillac, respectively - demonstrate dramatic improvements over their 2002
Wave 2 study rankings. "Kia's
top ranking demonstrates the continuous improvement process at Kia.com is paying
off," said Dennis Galbraith, senior director of research at J.D. Power and
Associates. "Kia has explored a variety of innovative approaches over the
years, rather than simply reacting to what other manufacturers are doing."
Manufacturer
Web sites have improved remarkably since the study was first published in 2000.
Much has changed, and with that change manufacturer sites have experienced a virtual
explosion in sales lead production to their dealer networks. On average, dealers
are receiving 75 percent more online leads from manufacturer sites than they did
in 2002. Well-designed
Web sites continue to be particularly effective in driving traffic to dealerships.
Among survey respondents who evaluated a manufacturer's site, 62 percent who rate
the site as "outstanding" are more likely to test-drive a vehicle from
that make, compared to only 40 percent of those who rate the site lower. MORE
INFORMATION: J.D.
Power and Associates | 
