| In the world of the auto industry, there are brands that | | | | Executive Officer of Porsche Cars North America, is |
| are accessible only to wealthy individuals. While most | | | | obviously thrilled after Porsche received the distinction. |
| motorists dream of owning a luxury car, the prices of | | | | According to him: “Customer perception is |
| these dream machines put them beyond the reach of | | | | everything in the luxury car market. This distinction |
| most consumers. That is why in choosing the best | | | | helps us know that we are successfully delivering on |
| luxury brand in the United States, it is imperative that | | | | our brand values in a very competitive automobile |
| one should ask people who can actually afford them | | | | market.” |
| or who have been in and around such vehicles. | | | | The United States auto market is one of the most |
| Recently, the Luxury Institute, an independent and | | | | competitive if not the most competitive market in the |
| impartial ratings and research institution known for | | | | world and Porsche coming out with this distinction will |
| specializing on gathering information on the | | | | surely boost the brand’s popularity among wealthy |
| preferences of high net worth consumers, undertook a | | | | prospective car buyers. Aside from bringing to the |
| survey to find out the best luxury brand. The results | | | | table high level of performance, Porsche cars also |
| are in and for the third straight year, Porsche sits at | | | | offers reliability. While reliability is an integral part of |
| the top of the list of the best luxury car brand today. | | | | Porsche cars, their performance can still be enhanced |
| The Italian brand edged out other popular luxury car | | | | with aftermarket parts such as Stillen cold air intake |
| brand to take the top spot. Among its competition are | | | | systems. |
| Acura from Honda, Lexus from Toyota, and Infiniti | | | | In conducting the survey, the Luxury Institute facilitated |
| from Nissan, German brands Audi, BMW, and | | | | an online survey of more than 1,600 Americans with an |
| Mercedes-Benz. Other luxury brands are owned by | | | | average income of $313,000 and a net worth of $3.3 |
| Ford like Volvo Cars and Jaguar. According to the | | | | million. Respondents of the online survey associate the |
| institute, the main reason why Porsche came out on | | | | brand Porsche with “power, style and |
| top is its “consistently superior quality, exclusivity | | | | excitement”, “value,” “elegance,” and |
| and uniqueness, measure of enhanced social status | | | | “trust and respect”. |
| and its ability to make the client ‘feel special’ | | | | According to Milton Pedraza, the Chief Executive |
| throughout the entire ownership experience.” | | | | Officer of the Luxury Institute: “Wealthy consumers |
| The respondents were also asked which luxury | | | | tell us that Porsche stays true to its core values and |
| brands they will recommend or the brand of the next | | | | to its enthusiasts. Porsche remains an automobile that |
| luxury car they will likely buy. | | | | never loses its way on the luxury highway, even at |
| Peter Schwarzenbauer, the President and the Chief | | | | high speeds. |