New-car dealer satisfaction with their respective auto manufacturers continued to increase in 2011, according to the National Automobile Dealers Association's (NADA) latest Dealer Attitude Survey. The survey, conducted twice a year, measures dealer sentiment in three key areas: franchise value, automaker policy decisions that affect the dealership and the automaker's field staff who visit dealerships. Nearly 54 percent of new-car dealers nationwide, representing more 14,700 franchises, responded to the 2011 summer survey.
Hyundai finished in the top overall spot for the third consecutive survey period, with affiliate Kia finishing fourth. Subaru climbed back to second place for its fifth consecutive Top 3 finish. Lexus dropped to the third spot. Mercedes-Benz finished fifth. Toyota and Volkswagen improved to sixth and seventh place, respectively. Porsche, Audi and Cadillac/Honda rounded out the Top 10.