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J.D. Power customer survey of dealers counts Cadillac, Buick as big winners

Cadillac and Buick have taken the trophies in J.D. Power's latest Customer Service Index Study examining satisfaction with dealer service. Surveying more than 90,000 owners and lessees of 2009-2013 model-year cars, the study found that those with pre-paid maintenance packages were ten percent more likely to buy their next car from the same brand.
Dealer satisfaction scores have improved overall, Cadillac nabbed the luxury segment ahead of Audi and Lexus, taking the crown that Lexus held last year. Buick keeps the mass-market dealer satisfaction win in the family, finishing ahead of Volkswagen and last year's winner GMC. The study also found that service department use of tablets increased customer satisfaction, as did "best practices" like "providing helpful advice." Who knew?
You can find details on those and more findings in the press release below.

Ford, Toyota clean up in Best Car For The Money Awards

The U.S. News Best Cars for the Money Awards picks winners by looking at the average transaction price, five-year total cost of ownership, the regard a car has from the automotive press, reliability figures from J.D. Power and Associates and safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The result, according to the magazine, is "the best combination of critical acclaim and long-term value."
Ford nabbed six of the 21 categories that received awards this year, the Focus, Fusion, Fusion Hybrid, Taurus, Escape and Edge getting trophies. Toyota and its Lexus and Scion sub-brands took another five, the Tacoma and Tundra owning the two categories given to pickup trucks. The other ten awards were split between Honda with three, Buick with two, and one each for Subaru, BMW, Hyundai, Chevrolet and Mazda.
Follow the link to see all the winners and read about why they were chosen.

2016 Lexus RX teased ahead of NYC show

The Lexus RX is one of the big players in the luxury crossover field, and the Japanese brand is giving us the first, shadowy look at the upcoming fourth-generation model. It debuts in just a few weeks on April 1 at the 2015 New York Auto Show. Lexus doesn't reveal anything technical about the plush CUV in its teaser, but the model does show off some interesting styling in the accompanying photo. In this shot, the rear pillar appears to incorporate the side window's glass into its shape in an intriguing way. You can also get a good look at the RX's wraparound taillights. Spy shots indicate the frontal design softens some of the ideas from the smaller NX, but the big, spindle grille and squinting headlights remain. The fourth-gen RX also reportedly uses aluminum for some body panels to shed weight. We expect to get the full scoop about it in New York. Related Video: 2016 Lexus RX To Make Its Global Debut Under the Bright Lights of the Big Apple: 2015 NYIAS March 20, 2015 TORRANCE, Calif. – March. 20, 2015 – Lexus will introduce the all-new 2016 RX at the 2015 New York International Auto Show. When the RX model launched 17 years ago, it defined a new luxury segment. Since then, it has dominated mid-size luxury utility vehicle sales. The fourth generation RX will make its global debut at a press conference in the Galleria at Jacob Javits Convention Center on Wednesday, April 1 at 9:10 a.m. EDT. The press conference will also be streamed live at https://new.livestream.com/LexusInternational/NY-2015. ###