Demographic Groups Rank Most Buzz-Worthy New Vehicles

IRVINE, Calif., May 10, 2006 – New-vehicle launches creating the most buzz differ greatly by demographic and vehicle consideration groups, according to the 2006 AutoVIBES Demographics reports, now available from online research leaders Harris Interactive^® and Kelley Blue Book Marketing Research. The annual AutoVIBES Demographics series of reports provide significant insight into the diverse vehicle shopping preferences and opinions of different age groups, ethnicities and segment consideration groups.

AutoVIBES examined 49 new-nameplate launches in 2005, 25 of which were domestics. Car-buyers in 14 demographic/vehicle consideration groups rated 12 domestics and only two imports as being the most buzz-worthy.

"Domestic manufacturers have recently introduced some exciting new products that are catching the eye of many consumers," said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and market analyst for Kelley Blue Book and kbb.com. "The highly-anticipated Dodge Charger is making waves among buyers in many different demographics."

The new AutoVIBES study also shows vehicle shoppers of all generations see domestic vehicles as the most buzz-worthy, although each generation rates a different domestic vehicle in the top spot. The youngest age-group surveyed, Generation Y, and the oldest age-group surveyed, Pre-Boomers, had only one vehicle in common on their top five buzz list: Dodge Charger.

While different groups chose a variety of vehicles as most buzz-worthy, there was universal agreement among all that the Mercedes-Benz CLS was the most "sophisticated." In addition, the Pontiac Solstice was rated high by all groups for being "exciting," "youthful" and "imaginative."

The complete set of AutoVIBES Demographic Reports consists of 14 separate reports under three series categories: Ethnicity, Generation and Vehicle Consideration. The Generation series contains reports for Generation Y, Generation X, Baby Boomers and Pre-Boomers. The Vehicle Consideration reports are offered by vehicle segment, including: Hybrid /Alternative Fuel Vehicles, SUV, Sedan, Truck, Minivan, Luxury and Sporty/Performance/Convertible. Custom groups, including make considerers, are available upon request.

"The knowledge gained from these reports provide insight into the various similarities, differences and preferences among vehicle shoppers of all ages, ethnicities and consideration groups," said Rick Wainschel, vice president of marketing research and brand communications for Kelley Blue Book. "As auto manufacturer marketing campaigns become more targeted toward specific demographics, understanding the impact of new-model launches as well as key purchase-decision factors among these groups could prove invaluable."

• Make ownership, consideration and loyalty
• Vehicle segment ownership and consideration
• Reaction to new model launches: awareness, familiarity, favorability, consideration, attribute ratings
• Key vehicle purchase decision factors
• Reliance on incentives: effects on timing of purchase, likelihood to purchase in absence, dependency
• Effects of gas prices on purchase decision
• Hybrid engine attitudes
• Key safety factors
• Financial outlook for upcoming year
• Auto enthusiast level
• Detailed subgroup profile

AutoVIBES is a study resulting from a strategic alliance between Harris Interactive and Kelley Blue Book Marketing Research, delivering timely and insightful analysis tracking vehicle shopping trends and reactions to more than 30 new model launches each month. AutoVIBES combines the online automotive research expertise of Harris Interactive with targeted sampling from Kelley Blue Book’s popular Web site, kbb.com. This survey was conducted online in 2005 among more than 20,000 U.S. adults 18 years and older who are in-market vehicle shoppers and within 12 months of purchasing or leasing a new vehicle.

About Harris Interactive^®
Harris Interactive Inc. (www.harrisinteractive.com), based in Rochester, New York, is the 13^th largest and the fastest-growing market research firm in the world, most widely known for The Harris Poll^® and for its pioneering leadership in the online market research industry. Long recognized by its clients for delivering insights that enable confident business decisions, the Company blends the science of innovative research with the art of strategic consulting to deliver knowledge that leads to measurable and enduring value.

Harris Interactive serves clients worldwide through its United States, Europe (www.harrisinteractive.com/europe) and Asia offices, its wholly-owned subsidiary Novatris in Paris, France (www.novatris.com), and through an independent global network of affiliate market research companies. EOE M/F/D/V

To become a member of the Harris Poll Online^SM and be invited to participate in future online surveys, go to www.harrispollonline.com.

About Kelley Blue Book (kbb.com)
Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com is America's most used and trusted vehicle pricing, values and information resource. The top-rated Web site provides the most up-to-date pricing and values for thousands of new and used vehicles, including the New Car Blue Book^® value, which reveals what people actually are paying for new cars. Since 1926, car buyers and sellers have relied upon Kelley Blue Book for authoritative and unbiased information to make well-informed automotive decisions. The company also reports vehicle prices and values via products and services, including the famous Blue Book^® Official Guide and software products. Kbb.com also has been named the No. 1 automotive information site by Nielsen//NetRatings and J.D. Power and Associates seven years in a row. No other medium reaches more in-market vehicle shoppers than kbb.com; one in every three American car buyers complete their research on kbb.com.

Robyn Eckard 949-268-3049 reckard@kbb.com

Joanna McNally 949-268-3079 jmcnally@kbb.com

Jen Cummings 585-214-7720 jcummings@harrisinteractive.com