MINI Cooper most appealing compact car for second year in a row

The 2003 J.D. Power And Associates (APEAL) Study Ranks MINI Cooper
Highest in Segment For the second year in a row, the MINI Cooper
ranked highest in the Compact Car Segment in J.D. Power and Associates
latest Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study. The
study measures owners' delight with the design, content, layout and
performance of their new vehicles. MINI has been successful attracting
buyers with a fun, unique design, including the cars' signature
contrasting roof, and wheels pushed to the four corners. The wheels at
the four corners, along with a responsive chassis, give MINI its
go-kart-like performance - another appeal that has drawn customers to
MINI. And customers have enjoyed the freedom to individualize the
content of their MINI with every option offered a-la-cart. "We
are excited to have received this award", commented Jack Pitney,
General Manager of MINI USA. "To receive this honor for the second
year in a row since we launched 19 months ago is a true testament of
how much delight owners are having behind the wheel of their
MINIs." The 2003 APEAL Study is based on responses from 102,975
new-vehicle owners. The study, now in its eighth year, is based on
eight specific categories of vehicle performance and design that
identify what consumers like and dislike about their new vehicles
during the first 90 days of ownership. The areas are:
engine/transmission; ride, handling and braking; comfort/convenience;
seats; cockpit/instrument panel; heating, ventilation and cooling;
sound system; and styling/exterior.