J.D. Power and Associates Crowned The Hyundai Equus As The 2011 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study Winner For Large Premium Cars

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Holyoke, Massachusetts, United States of America (Free-Press-Release.com) December 7, 2011 -- J.D. Power and Associates crowned the Hyundai Equus as the 2011 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study winner for Large Premium Cars. Not only did the Equus perform well above the industry standard, it scored 904 points out of a 1000-point scale, but it generated the second highest score to ever be recorded in the 16-year history of the study. This also marked the highest performance a Hyundai car ever achieved in the APEAL study.

The APEAL study, based on feedback from over 73,000 new-vehicle owners and lessees after 90 days of ownership, examines owners’ assessments of the design, content, layout, and performance of their new vehicle. Owners provide detailed evaluations of 80 vehicle attributes across 10 categories:

• Vehicle Exterior
• Vehicle Interior
• Storage/Space
• Audio/Entertainment/Navigation
• Seats
• Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
• Driving Dynamics
• Engine/Transmission
• Visibility and Driving Safety
• Fuel Economy

Those same owners also analyzed the cars' initial quality in the Initial Quality Study (IQS). Initial quality has served as an excellent indicator of long-term durability. According to the J.D. Power and Associates 2011 IQS, the Hyundai Equus ranks second in the Large Premium Cars segment; the Equus performs particularly well in seven of the eight categories, specifically in Vehicle Interior, HVAC, and Seats. In Problems per 100 Vehicles, the Hyundai Equus scored well below the segment average and was second only to the Lexus LS in fewest problems.

“We are thrilled with the recognition of Equus and the Hyundai brand as a whole in this year’s J.D. Power and Associates APEAL study,” said Frank Ferrara, executive vice president, Customer Satisfaction, Hyundai Motor America. “With the success of our Equus flagship and the unique appeal of our dynamically designed and fuel-efficient Elantra and Sonata, we’re continuing our quest to satisfy all types of American car buyers.” (http://www.hyundaiusa.com/about-hyundai/news/Equus_2011_JD-Power_APEAL-20110727.aspx)

Aside from the Equus, the overall Hyundai brand was the most-improved in the industry, moving up 13 rank positions and 33 points, placing 15th in 2011. The jump was powered primarily by the redesigned Sonata and Elantra models, which improved by 57 and 35 points, respectively. The Sonata finished in a close second in the Midsize Car segment. Hyundai finished ahead of all the Asian and U.S. domestic non-premium brands, marking the highest rank in Hyundai history in the APEAL study.

For those looking to purchase a new car, Hyundai Eqqus is the right pick. To find out more about the Hyundai Eqqus and to get the best deals on the new Eqqus go to http://www.garyromehyundai.com/Buy_New_Model.cfm?modelpick=Equus.

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