Mercedes-Benz Dealers Achieve Highest Ranking; Detroit Brand Dealers Most Improved in 2010 Pied Piper Prospect Satisfaction Index

Annual auto industry benchmarking study measures how each brand's dealerships treat car shoppers

MONTEREY, Calif., July 12, 2010; Mercedes-Benz dealerships ranked highest in the newly released 2010 Pied Piper Prospect Satisfaction Index� (PSI�) U.S. Auto Industry Study, one of a series of unique national benchmarking studies using "mystery shoppers" to measure and compare how consumers are treated when shopping.

Detroit brands led the way in 2010 for most improvement, with Ford, Lincoln and Chevrolet scoring above the industry average for the first time since PSI auto industry benchmarking began four years ago.

The independent study sent 3,658 hired anonymous "mystery shoppers" into auto dealerships nationwide, then used the patent-pending PSI process to compile the results into an accurate measurement of how each brand's dealerships treat car shoppers.

Overall auto industry performance improved notably from 2009 to 2010, with 25 of the 34 major auto brands achieving higher PSI scores. Although luxury brands continue to lead the industry for treatment of car shoppers, the improvement of mainstream brands has been striking. For example, when comparing the 2010 Ford shopping experience with that of 2007, we find that the typical Ford salesperson was 52% more likely to discuss vehicle features unique from the competition, 29% more likely to introduce him or herself and 65% more likely to proactively mention the availability of different financing options.

Despite the widespread and continual improvement in how cars are sold, there is still plenty of room for improvement, although not necessarily in the expected areas. For example, the stereotypical car shopping experience of having an overbearing salesperson happened far less often (6% of the time) than the opposite: a salesperson who simply was not helpful enough and did not devote enough time and attention to the car shopper (18% of the time). Another area of potential disappointment for car shoppers has been the decision by some brands and dealerships to limit or discontinue offering brochures. Industry wide, salespeople proactively offered a brochure following a visit only 57% of the time; the lowest level in the last three years.

Substantial variation in shopper treatment by brand continues. For example, both Volvo and BMW salespeople mentioned their brand's maintenance program and associated costs 80% of the time or more, while shoppers looking for a Scion, Mitsubishi or Dodge heard about it less than one-third of the time. Lexus and Porsche salespeople reviewed the vehicle's features and controls 95% of the time before leaving on a test drive, but BMW salespeople reviewed it only 74% of the time. At Land Rover, Smart or Mini dealerships, salespeople nearly always handled the entire visit themselves and rarely introduced shoppers to dealership management. In contrast, at Suzuki, Volkswagen, Nissan, Toyota and Infiniti dealerships the salespeople introduced shoppers to dealership management to help close the sale 40% of the time or more. Salespeople who work for dealerships selling Nissan, Mazda, Infiniti, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota or Volkswagen were most likely to follow-up with shoppers within 48 hours after the initial visit, while salespeople who work for dealerships selling Buick, Mitsubishi, Chevrolet and Acura were least likely to follow-up with shoppers after the initial visit.

"Today's car shoppers are armed with far more vehicle and pricing information than ever before," said Fran O'Hagan, CEO of Pied Piper Management Co., LLC. "Successful brands and dealerships have responded by acting as helpful enablers for today's shoppers. At the most successful dealerships, the stereotype of the old-fashioned car salesperson no longer exists."

The 2010 Pied Piper PSI U.S. Auto Industry Study was conducted between July 2009 and June 2010 using 3,658 hired anonymous "mystery shoppers" at dealerships located throughout the U.S. Examples of other recent Pied Piper PSI studies are the 2010 Pied Piper PSI U.S. Motorcycle Industry Study, in which Polaris Industries, Inc's Victory brand was ranked first, and the 2008 Pied Piper PSI U.S. RV Industry Study (Class A), in which Winnebago's Itasca brand was ranked first. Complete Pied Piper PSI industry study results are provided to vehicle manufacturers and national dealer groups. Manufacturers, national dealer groups and individual dealerships also order PSI evaluations as a tool to improve the sales effectiveness of their dealerships. For more information about the Pied Piper Prospect Satisfaction Index, and the patent-pending PSI process, go to www.piedpiperpsi.com.

About Pied Piper Management Company, LLC

Pied Piper Management Company, LLC is a seven year old Monterey, California company that develops and runs sales and marketing programs to maximize the performance of dealer networks. Go to www.piedpipermc.com.