Original press release by ADAC (source ADAC.de; translated from German):
Audi #1 for the first time , German brands still prevail
General German Automobile Association's AutoMarxX December 2006
For the first time AUDI reached the top position in the General German Automobile Association AutomarxX survey. In the most extensive evaluation of the automotive brands available in the German market the automaker from Ingolstädt overtook a serial front runner Mercedes. BMW, in June 2005 still #1, dropped back behind VOLKSWAGEN to rank four, followed by Porsche. Best import brand is Toyota ahead of Mazda and Honda.
The General German Automobile Association's AutomarxX appears half-yearly and compares the 33 most important automotive brands in Germany. The result of the investigation consists of numerous individual values such as mark image, market strength, customer satisfaction and product quality.
Thus the General German Automobile Association (ADAC) investigation is the most extensive information instrument for the measurement of the efficiency of the automotive brands in the German market.
* The best brand image in Germany has up-to-date the brand BMW, closely followed by Mercedes and Audi.
* At present the models of Mini, ahead of Land Rover, Porsche, Volvo and Honda suffer the smallest depreciation.
* Like usually industry giant VOLKSWAGEN, ahead of Mercedes, Opel, BMW, Audi and Ford records the largest market share.
* The highest increase in sales recorded Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Jaguar and Chrysler.
* The most satisfied customers has Subaru, followed by Toyota, Honda, Daihatsu, Mazda and Porsche.
* BMW brings the most qualitative new vehicles in the market, ahead of AUDI, Mercedes, VOLKSWAGEN, Porsche and Skoda.
* The most reliable cars supply Subaru, Mini, Mazda, Toyota, Honda and Mitsubishi.
The General German Automobile Association's AutomarxX has been published twelve times since September 2001. Eight times the winner was Mercedes, three times was BMW on the top. With AUDI a new brand appeared at place #1.
PS:
Top AutomarxX rankings in June 2006:
1. Mercedes (#2 in Dec 2006)
2. BMW (#4 in Dec 2006)
3. Volkswagen (#3 in Dec 2006)
4. Porsche (#5 in Dec 2006)
5. Audi (#1 in Dec 2006)