For the fifth time, the BMW 7 Series was the most appealing "Premium Luxury Car" in the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study SM. The BMW 3 Series, 5 Series, and X5 Sports Activity Vehicle posted top-three finishes in their respective segments. These strong individual performances helped propel the BMW brand to a significant second place overall.
“These results offer an emphatic endorsement of BMW’s entire model line by our owners,” noted Tom Purves, Chairman and CEO of BMW of North America. “BMW owners are among the most passionate and critical in the industry. Having four BMW Series perform so well in their respective categories demonstrates the strength of BMW brand values.”
The 2006 APEAL Study is based on responses from more than 63,000 new-vehicle owners who were surveyed after the first 90 days of ownership. The study, now in its eleventh year, measures owner delight with the design, content, layout and performance of their new vehicles. The APEAL Study was redesigned for 2006 to provide better coverage of new technologies that didn’t exist previously. The Study is now based on ten categories of vehicle performance and design: engine/transmission; driving dynamics; storage and space; seats; vehicle interior; heating, ventilation and cooling; vehicle exterior; audio/entertainment/navigation; visibility and driving safety; and fuel economy.