Autobytel Most Requested Vehicles for First Quarter
Ford and Lincoln Brands Post Strong Q1 Purchase Request Gains
Ford F-150 Overtakes Chevy Silverado; Toyota Sienna Passes Honda Odyssey, and Ford Explorer Knocks Chevy Tahoe From Top Spot
IRVINE, Calif., April 8 -- Autobytel Inc. , the most visited new car buying and research destination on the Web*, today announced the cars and trucks that were requested most** by its millions of online shoppers during the first sales quarter of 2004. In addition to revealing the early front-runners for Autobytel's year-end Consumer Choice Awards,** Autobytel's Q1 Consumer Choice report provides a unique view of current online buying dynamics -- even before they fully play out on the showroom floor. Read on for insight into what are emerging as the hottest vehicles on the Web and for a re-cap of notable stories and unfolding trends.
The Race for Autobytel's Consumer Choice Awards is on
Results for Q1 2004 underscore online buyers' strong responsiveness to vehicle upgrades, redesigns and new launches. For example, there were significant year-over-year Purchase Request gains for the Toyota Prius and Ford F-150; and, while the Chevrolet Malibu, Chrysler Crossfire, the Mazda3 and the Mazda6 did not reach top 10 status, they enjoyed substantial increases in Purchase Requests. The counter-effect, meanwhile, was a quick cooling-off for non-upgraded vehicles, as even popular vehicles (see: the Honda Odyssey) lost some sheen when placed in a competitive environment next to "the latest and the greatest."
Most Requested Vehicles Overall, Q1 2004 1) 2004 Honda Accord 2) 2004 Ford F-150 3) 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 4) 2004 Honda Civic 5) 2004 Ford Explorer 6) 2004 Toyota Camry 7) 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe 8) 2004 Ford Expedition 9) 2004 Ford Mustang 10) 2004 Dodge Ram
Ford Continues Online Momentum in 2004; Lincoln shows largest growth among all industry brands
Although Honda enjoyed its usual popularity among Autobytel shoppers courtesy of the venerable Accord and Civic, the big Q1 story was Ford, which rode a late-2003 online surge into 2004. Overall, requests for Ford brands were up 35% year over year, led by the F-150 (up 57%), the Explorer (up 68%), the Expedition (up 45%), and the Mustang (up 36%). And "Fords" weren't the only Ford brands to heat up online. Driven by the Navigator and Aviator, requests for Lincoln brands grew 41 percent -- the largest gain among all industry brands -- while Mazda struck a chord online with the RX-8, Mazda6 and Mazda3. While new this year, the Mazda3 has already landed in the top 5 among compact vehicles for the quarter, and the Mazda6 jumped 60% in popularity. Although Toyota Purchase Request growth was flat overall in the first quarter, two models made noteworthy gains: the Prius and the Sienna minivan, compensating for slight dips for mainstays Corolla and Camry.
Most Requested Passenger Cars, Q1 2004 1) 2004 Honda Accord 2) 2004 Toyota Camry 3) 2004 Nissan Altima 4) 2004 Toyota Prius 5) 2004 Mazda6 Sedan
Passenger Cars Continue to Lose Share to Trucks; Prius Becomes First Hybrid to Crack Top 5
Faced with a triple threat of popular SUVs, minivans and trucks, passenger cars continued to slip among Autobytel buyers -- down 8% compared to the first quarter of 2003. A surprise newcomer to the top 5 was the Mazda6; and, although the Chevrolet Malibu did not place in the top 5, it showed surprising popularity with Autobytel's online buyers. Of course what jumps off the page is the fourth-place finish for the redesigned Toyota Prius, which generated a 145% increase in Purchase Requests versus Q1 2003, becoming the first hybrid-powered vehicle to crack Autobytel's top 5 in a traditional vehicle category.
Most Requested SUVs, Q1 2004 1) 2004 Ford Explorer 2) 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe 3) 2004 Ford Expedition 4) 2004 GMC Yukon 5) 2004 Saturn VUE Explorer Charts New Territory as Most Requested SUV
The Ford Explorer showed a remarkable resurgence among online shoppers in the first quarter, ending the Chevrolet Tahoe's long reign as Autobytel's Most Requested SUV. While requests for the Tahoe grew in Q1, it couldn't keep pace with the Explorer's 68% year over year gain. Overall, Purchase Requests for SUVs were up 16% versus last quarter, despite historically high gas prices. These gains were driven solidly by domestics, which continued to fortify their SUV stronghold despite aggressive import challenges.
Most Requested Sports Cars, Q1 2004 1) 2004 Ford Mustang 2) 2004 Mazda RX-8 3) 2004 Nissan 350Z 4) 2004 MINI Cooper 5) 2004 Pontiac GTO Mazda RX-8 and Pontiac GTO Look to Out-Muscle Mustang
The sports category was crowded with popular newcomers poised to make a run at the Mustang, including the Mazda RX-8 and Pontiac GTO. Autobytel automotive experts predict that once Ford launches the Mustang redesign, the Mustang will make significant gains throughout the remainder of the year -- during sales promotions for the older model and the introduction of the new model, and then as both are on the lot.
Most Requested Luxury Vehicles, Q1 2004 1) 2004 BMW 3 Series 2) 2004 Cadillac Escalade 3) 2004 Acura MDX 4) 2004 Acura TL 5) 2004 Lexus RX BMW 3 Series Fends off Luxury SUV Charge ... for Now
The luxury market is filling up with SUVs -- but not at the top, where the BMW 3 Series still clings to its lead despite a 19% Purchase Request dip compared to Q1 2003. The Escalade -- the sole domestic top 5 entry -- continued its import-defying climb, up 33% quarter over quarter. If this trend continues, look for the Escalade, the Acura MDX -- or both -- to pass the 3 Series this year.
Most Requested Trucks, Q1 2004 1) 2004 Ford F-150 2) 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 3) 2004 Dodge Ram 4) 2004 Ford F-250 5) 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche Ford F-150 Passes Chevrolet Silverado
After generating 57% more Purchase Requests year over year during Q1, courtesy of an extremely well received redesign, the Ford F-150 passed the Chevrolet Silverado as the most popular truck among Autobytel buyers. The Silverado, which won Most Requested Truck honors in 2002 and 2003, fell 12% from its Q1 2003 pace. Other notable trucks included the new Nissan Titan, which made an exceptionally strong debut in its first quarter of reported Purchase Requests, despite not ranking among the top 5.
Most Requested Minivans, Q1 2004 1) 2004 Toyota Sienna 2) 2004 Honda Odyssey 3) 2004 Nissan Quest 4) 2004 Dodge Caravan 5) 2004 Chrysler Town & Country Minivan Purchase Requests up 14%
Toyota's Sienna, which gave the Honda Odyssey a late run for 2003 Most Requested Minivan honors, finally grabbed the minivan top spot after posting a 169% gain over 2003 Q1. Driven by the feature-packed Sienna, the minivan category grew an impressive 14% based on the category's leading vehicles -- indicating that buyers are moving into minivans from other segments. Other hot minivan models included the Nissan Quest, which ranked in the top 5, and the Ford Freestar (formerly the Windstar).
