BMW's Buzz Is Biggest of Luxury Automakers, Says Forbes

SPRING VALLEY, N.Y. (03/08/2012)(readMedia)-- When it comes to luxury-car buzz, BMW is top of mind right now, according to Forbes Insights. In its new study titled "2012 Special Report: Luxury Automotive Outlook," Forbes' strategic-research practice named BMW the leader of its Luxury Car Buzz Index. The new index ranks the 10 leading luxury auto brands with a specially created formula that factors everything from customer satisfaction to marketing efforts.

The Forbes Insights 2012 Luxury Car Buzz Index was derived with data from approximately 150,000 consumer interviews conducted in 2011. With the consumer information provided by market-research firm BIGinsight, five factors were considered by Forbes Insights in the research: Brand Satisfaction, Brand Momentum, Personal Promotion, Digital Media and Traditional Media. In addition to being the overall leader, BMW dominated in Traditional Media, topping four of the six criteria in the category.

"This report surveys a huge slice of the luxury-car-buying population and gives us a good overall view of who leads and who lags," said Michael Trontz, general manager of Spring Valley, New York BMW dealership Wide World BMW. "It may not be surprising that BMW won considering it was the luxury sales leader last year, but the study shows that it is operating on all cylinders, from buyers' satisfaction levels to their ad campaigns."

BMW not only leads nationally in the Forbes Insights study; it is leading locally as well. In New York State, BMW was found to be the most popular of five selected luxury brands, with 17.8 percent of future buyers leaning towards a BMW dealership for their first or second choice. Audi was a distant second, with only 10.2 percent of the popularity share. Though it still leads in Texas and Florida, BMW is about twice as popular in New York, an indication that all brands are not considered equal in all areas of the country.

Last month, BMW continued to build on its brand-topping buzz, with its February U.S. sales rising 29 percent compared to the same month last year. Moving 21,204 units, BMW saw its strongest February numbers since 2007. Sales of the all-new 2012 BMW 3 Series sedan rose 66 percent, helping BMW push ahead of both Mercedes-Benz and Lexus last month.

When it arrived at dealerships in February, the new 3 Series became the first vehicle in the premium midsize sedan segment to offer an eight-speed automatic transmission. The sixth-generation sports sedan also now features an updated exterior, a more athletic suspension, a new turbocharged four-cylinder engine option and a number of upgraded technological features. For example, an available full-color Head-Up Display projects key information like speed and navigation directions on the windshield, so drivers can keep their eyes focused on the road ahead.

"The new 3 Series is way ahead of the curve in the midsize market," added Tronz. "The world of luxury cars is very competitive, and BMW has proven time and time again that it has what it takes to come out on top. Their efforts have already shown results in the 3 Series' successful first month of sales."

About Wide World BMW:

Wide World BMW is a premier New York BMW dealer. Whether their customers are buying a new BMW 3 Series or a certified pre-owned BMW X5, Wide World BMW believes in building a relationship that extends beyond the dealership. Their state-of-the-art BMW service department keeps BMWs running like new, while their BMW-certified collision repair center can make any accident a distant memory. Part of the New Country Motor Car Group, Wide World BMW is located at 125 E Rt. 59 in Spring Valley, New York. Their wide inventory of new and used BMW models can be found at www.wideworldofcarsbmw.com, and they can be reached by phone at 877-817-3953. Customers can also find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WideWorldBMW.