Ford Models Earn APEALing Awards

Two Ford vehicles ranked as the highest models on their respective segments at the 2007 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study conducted by J.D. Power and Associates. The Ford Mustang was ranked as the highest in the Midsize Sporty Car category, while the all-new 2007 Ford Edge bagged the highest award for the Midsize MAV segment.

“This is more good news and further affirmation that we’re delivering more products people really want – especially when you consider the newest vehicles in our lineup,” said Mark Fields, president, The Americas, Ford Motor Company.

“Last year, Fusion topped its segment in the J.D. Power and Associates APEAL study. This year, fresh on the heels of Ford receiving top honors in five vehicle segments in the J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study (IQS), Ford receives more strong quality feedback from customers who made Edge the industry standout and a top performer in the fastest-growing and most competitive segment in the industry,” he added.

Other Ford Motor Company vehicle models joined the Ford Edge and Mustang on the winner's list. They are the Ford Explorer Sport Trac (2nd in Midsize Pickup segment), Lincoln Navigator (3rd in the Large Premium MAV) and Mazda CX7 (2nd in the Truck / Multi-Activity Vehicle (MAV) Segment).

Fields continued: “It’s gratifying to have two strong Ford nameplates – Edge and Mustang – leading the pack on consumer appeal. While we’ll celebrate this achievement with our employees, we know that the quality race never ends. We’re going to continue working harder to provide people even more reasons to consider driving Ford vehicles again.”

Meanwhile, check out the complete list of the Top Three Models per Segment for the 2007 APEAL Study.

Sub-Compact Car
Highest Ranked: Honda Fit (Tie), Toyota Yaris (Tie)
Nissan Versa

Compact Car
Highest Ranked: Volkswagen Jetta
Volkswagen Rabbit
Honda Civic

Compact Sporty Car
Highest Ranked: Volkswagen GTI
Scion tC
Volkswagen Eos

Compact Premium Sporty Car
Highest Ranked: Porsche Cayman
Porsche Boxster
Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class

Entry Premium Car
Highest Ranked: BMW 3 Series
Lexus IS 250/IS 350
Acura TL (Tie)
Audi A4 (Tie)

Midsize Premium Car
Highest Ranked: Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Lexus GS 350/GS 430/GS 450h
BMW 5 Series

Large Premium Car
Highest Ranked: Mercedes-Benz S-Class
BMW 7 Series
Lexus LS 460

Premium Sporty Car
Highest Ranked: BMW 6 Series
Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
Chevrolet Corvette

Midsize Sporty Car
Highest Ranked: Ford Mustang
Mitsubishi Eclipse
Chevrolet Monte Carlo

Midsize Car
Highest Ranked: Nissan Altima Sedan
Volkswagen Passat
Saturn AURA

Large Car
Highest Ranked: Hyundai Azera
Toyota Avalon
Dodge Charger

Truck / Multi-Activity Vehicle (MAV) Segments
Compact MAV
Highest Ranked: Honda CR-V
Mazda CX-7
Toyota FJ Cruiser

Midsize MAV
Highest Ranked: Ford Edge
Saturn Outlook
GMC Acadia

Large MAV
Highest Ranked: Nissan Armada
Chevrolet Tahoe
Chevrolet Suburban

Midsize Premium MAV
Highest Ranked: BMW X5
Audi Q7 (Tie)
Mercedes-Benz M-Class (Tie)

Large Premium MAV
Highest Ranked: Cadillac Escalade EXT (Tie), Mercedes-Benz GL-Class (Tie)
Lincoln Navigator

Large Pickup
Highest Ranked: GMC Sierra LD
Chevrolet Avalanche
Chevrolet Silverado LD

Midsize Pickup
Highest Ranked: Honda Ridgeline
Ford Explorer Sport Trac
Toyota Tacoma

Van
Highest Ranked: Honda Odyssey
Kia Sedona
Hyundai Entourage