GM LEADS IN MOST 2005 DELIGHTFUL VEHICLES!

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 16, 2006--In 2005 the results from Strategic Vision's surveying the market may be startling: General Motors leads all the rest. Strategic Vision measures the experience of approximately 90,000 new vehicle owners annually. The survey has been done since 1996. Because of the nature of the factors measured, the results give the industry actionable information about multiple issues, including (a) building better vehicles, (b) communicating more effectively, (c) increasing sales opportunity, (d) creating strong brand image, (e) creating loyalty, and (f) assessing success and failure of strategy. GM product, not problems, and multiple levels of success are foremost.

Amid speculation that GM -- "locked in organizational turmoil and strangled by old product" -- is lost, General Motors has been creating stronger products in the eyes of its customers year after year over the last five years. General Motors has delivered: Chevrolet Malibu Maxx, GMC Sierra 2500/3500, Buick Rainier, Pontiac G6 and Cadillac DeVille all lead in delivering delight in the segments in which they compete. While industry pundits scratch their heads, the customers speak clearly. G6 can, indeed, outperform Camry on rational-emotional dimensions that reflect customers' response to their experiences, for example. An implication: General Motors may be able to accomplish what it states it will. Being able to delight portends being able to build products that attract attention and sell. Of course, the proof is in the execution, but the opportunity is present.

"How can GM beat Toyota?" muse analysts (even within GM). The key is in understanding what is being measured: Delight captures emotional commitment as well as attribute-based excellence. Strategic Vision, a worldwide, research-based consultancy proposes that the clear hints about the future can be delivered.

Dr. Darrel Edwards, CEO, Founder and Creative Director of Strategic Vision, affirms, "The measurement of Customer Delight provides a look at tomorrow. Satisfaction speaks to the past -- contracts fulfilled. Appeal might capture a glimpse of tomorrow, but it is never truly measured. Being `Outstanding' does compare one aspect of a vehicle with another, but comparisons change rapidly as the market changes. While some surveys tell you how to increase the `Overall scores' in their survey, Delight addresses increasing initial quality, overall satisfaction, retention, advocacy, emotional commitment and loyalty today and tomorrow