Toyota, Honda and Ford tops with Gen Y buyers

[NINETY EIGHT REGENCY]

Toyota, Honda and Ford tops with Gen Y buyers

08:41 AM

Young car buyers are gravitating to the same brand as their older brothers and sisters, Toyota and Honda, but third place in this Generation Y survey is a surprise: Ford.

Consulting and research firm AutoPacific says Ford and Chevy rounded out the top 5 spots among the brands that Gen Y buyers purchased most often in the U.S. Generation Y is roughly defined as those born since about 1983.

Breaking into the Top 10 into the top 10 brands purchased list in 2010 are Hyundai and Kia, at spots 6 and 8. They bounced out Mazda and Jeep.

"The fact that Generation Y has a bigger footprint in brands like Hyundai and Kia than in past years means these brands are definitely doing something right to gain Gen Y's attention," says George Peterson, president of AutoPacific.

Ford is making a bigger play on small cars, like that Fiesta pictured at top, and pushed hard for young buyers through its sponsorship on American Idol and various online contests and promotions.

Results are based on AutoPacific's annual survey of over 42,000 new car and light truck buyers. The study examines and how they compare to older generations. In many ways, Generation Y is following in the footsteps of their Baby Boomer parents.

Here's the list:

1. Toyota

2. Honda

3. Ford

4. Chevrolet

5. Nissan

6. Hyundai

7. Volkswagen

8. Kia

9 . Dodge

10. Subaru

link:

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2010/11/toyota-honda-ford-gen-y/1