Kelley Blue Book's Kbb.com Names Most-Researched New Vehicles of 2008
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Chevrolet Malibu, Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit, Volkswagen Jetta Make Impressive
Jumps into Top 20 for 2008
IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Kelley Blue Book, the leading provider
of new- and used-vehicle information, today announces the most-researched new
cars of 2008 on the company's top-rated Web site, www.kbb.com. The year 2008
marks the third consecutive year that Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com saw greater
than 140 million unique visitors, with more than half of all online vehicle
shoppers visiting kbb.com. Because kbb.com is one of the most trafficked
automotive research sites, visitation to specific vehicles has become a
leading indicator of sales patterns for manufacturers.
Kbb.com's Most-Researched New Vehicles of 2008
1. Honda Civic
2. Honda Accord
3. Toyota Camry
4. Toyota Corolla
5. Nissan Altima
6. Honda CR-V
7. Toyota Prius
8. Toyota Highlander
9. Toyota RAV4
10. Mazda3
11. Toyota Yaris
12. Ford Escape
13. Honda Odyssey
14. Honda Pilot
15. Honda Fit
16. Ford Mustang
17. Chevrolet Malibu
18. Toyota Sienna
19. MINI Cooper
20. Volkswagen Jetta
"The site traffic on Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com demonstrates what is on the
minds of today's new-car shoppers, especially when examining the
most-researched new-vehicles of 2008," said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial
director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book and kbb.com.
"Continued interest in Honda and Toyota, Chevrolet's home-run Malibu redesign
and an increase in visits to more fuel-efficient, economical vehicles is an
accurate reflection of the marketplace in 2008."
Import manufacturers Honda and Toyota frequently dominate the kbb.com
most-researched lists, and while they still have a major turnout for 2008
(nabbing 13 of the top 20 spots), this year's list demonstrates that other
manufacturers and vehicles also have now made their mark in the minds of
consumers in 2008.
Many vehicles made noteworthy jumps into the top 20 most-researched new
vehicles for 2008 that were not on the list in 2007. Chevrolet's all-new
redesigned Malibu made the most impressive leap, jumping 55 places from last
year's rank at 72 to this year's rank at 17. Also new to this year's top 20
are the Honda Fit (last year ranked 35, this year 15), the Toyota Yaris (last
year ranked 23, this year 11) and the Volkswagen Jetta (last year ranked 25,
this year 20).
The year's roller-coaster fuel prices reflect many shifts in the 2008 list
versus last year's list in 2007, with smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles
seeing more traffic than in years past. In addition to the inclusion of
subcompacts such as the Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris on this year's list, other
fuel-efficient vehicles gaining positions in the top 20 include this year's
number-one vehicle the Honda Civic, as well as the Toyota Corolla, Toyota
Prius, Mazda3 and Ford Escape. Toyota's Camry and Honda's Civic switched
places in 2008 from last year, when Camry ranked No. 1 and Civic No. 3. The
Toyota Corolla also switched places with the Honda CR-V when compared to last
year, when Corolla was No. 6 and CR-V was No. 4, further indicating a shift
toward more fuel-efficient vehicles.
When examining the data from a regional and state-by-state standpoint,
domestic vehicles such as the Ford Escape and Chevrolet Malibu are much more
popular in their home-state of Michigan, ranking at No. 4 and 5, respectively.
The Honda Civic, Honda Accord and Toyota Camry (in varying orders each year)
have been the top three most-researched new-vehicles on kbb.com each year
since 2004.
About Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com)
Since 1926, Kelley Blue Book, The Trusted Resource(R), has provided vehicle
buyers and sellers with the new and used vehicle information they need to
accomplish their goals with confidence. The company's top-rated Web site,
www.kbb.com, provides the most up-to-date pricing and values, including the
New Car Blue Book(R) Value, which reveals what people actually are paying for
new cars. The company also reports vehicle pricing and values via products
and services, including software products and the famous Blue Book(R) Official
Guide. According to the C.A. Walker Research Solutions, Inc. - 2008 Spring
Automotive Web Site Usefulness Study, kbb.com is the most useful automotive
information Web site among new and used vehicle shoppers, and half of online
vehicle shoppers visit kbb.com. Kbb.com is a leading provider of new car
prices, car reviews and news, used car blue book values, auto classifieds and
car dealer locations. No other medium reaches more in-market vehicle shoppers
than kbb.com.
Media Contacts:
Robyn Eckard Joanna McNally Brenna Robinson
949-268-3049 949-268-3079 949-267-4781
reckard@kbb.com jmcnally@kbb.com berobinson@kbb.com
SOURCE Kelley Blue Book
Robyn Eckard, +1-949-268-3049, reckard@kbb.com, or Joanna McNally,
+1-949-268-3079, jmcnally@kbb.com, or Brenna Robinson, +1-949-267-4781,
berobinson@kbb.com, all of Kelley Blue Book
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