Auto brands that improve their Reputation Score by 150 points can increase sales by up to 10%

SAN RAMON, Calif. – Reputation, the global leader in reputation performance management, today released its annual North American automotive industry report, revealing that all 152 top-performing dealerships have achieved Reputation Scores meeting or exceeding 900, highlighting reputation management’s strategic importance in the automotive sector.

The report analyzed 5.5 million car buyers to reveal insights into the evolving sentiment of auto consumers, the power of reviews to propel car sales, and what it takes to be a top dealership globally. Using data analysis from Reputation’s AI-powered platform, as well as an annual survey that analyzes consumers’ purchasing preferences, the report found that auto brands prioritizing reputation management see rapid returns, with improved customer satisfaction translating directly into revenue growth.

Key findings from this year’s report highlight the transformative impact of reputation management:

• Leading automotive brands improving their Reputation Score by 150 points can increase sales by up to 10%
• High-scoring dealership locations generate seven times more actions on Google Business Profiles
• Dealerships and automakers are consistently investing in tools to enhance customer experiences

“In today’s hyper-competitive automotive sector, a great reputation is a clear strategic imperative,” said Joe Burton, CEO of Reputation. “Our data demonstrates that dealerships who run their businesses on Reputation Scores, allowing them to quickly analyze and act on customer feedback, can unlock significant business growth and customer engagement.” 

The report also includes an annual ranking of brands and dealerships based on Reputation Score, a proprietary, AI-fueled metric that serves as a leading performance indicator in the automotive industry. Reputation Score ranks brands and dealerships using a measurement on a scale of 100 to 1,000 that considers a location’s sentiment, visibility and engagement. 

“Our reputation is not solely measured by sales volume but by the trust we cultivate through every customer interaction,” said Alan Bethke, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Subaru of America, Inc. “Being ranked #1 in the Reputation Automotive Report reflects our commitment to excellence and the Subaru Love Promise – our dedication to caring for our customers and communities. By partnering with our retailers and using data-driven insights, we’ve adapted to market changes and set the standard for trust and loyalty in the industry.”

Automotive businesses can improve their market position by adopting a comprehensive reputation management strategy that goes beyond traditional marketing. This approach involves actively encouraging and soliciting customer feedback, proactively responding to all reviews, and ensuring business listings are accurate and up to date. 

Successful dealers are also tailoring customer experiences through personalized communication and using consumer data as a strategic tool for continuous improvement. Creating a systematic approach to capturing, analyzing, and acting on customer insights enables businesses to increase their Reputation Score, ultimately building trust and strengthening their competitive position in an increasingly dynamic automotive marketplace.

2024/2025 North American Automotive Rankings 

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