Skip to Content Facebook Feature Image

Brand Loyalty Faces Headwinds as Tariffs Reshape New-Vehicle Shopper Behavior, J.D. Power Finds

News

Brand Loyalty Faces Headwinds as Tariffs Reshape New-Vehicle Shopper Behavior, J.D. Power Finds
News

News

Brand Loyalty Faces Headwinds as Tariffs Reshape New-Vehicle Shopper Behavior, J.D. Power Finds

2025-09-24 19:59 Last Updated At:20:20

TROY, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 24, 2025--

While tariffs have introduced greater volatility into new-vehicle shopping behavior, brands with strong reputations—such as Toyota and Honda—continue to retain loyal customers, according to the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Automotive Brand Loyalty Study, SM released today. In the current competitive landscape, automakers that consistently deliver vehicles aligned with evolving customer expectations and needs are best positioned to maintain and grow their loyal base.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250924326228/en/

“Brand loyalty matters to vehicle buyers because it’s often associated with higher residual values, making vehicles from trusted brands a more financially sound choice over time,” said Tyson Jominy, senior vice president of data & analyticsat J.D. Power. “However, buyer loyalty tends to weaken when shifting to a different vehicle segment. Not only that, but changing market conditions, such as increased availability of models, varying age of products and more aggressive incentive offers, have also brought brand loyalty back below 50% after finishing at 51% last year. Brand loyalty averages 49% across all nameplates and segments in this year’s study.”

Highest-Ranking Brands

Porsche ranks highest among premium car brands for a fourth consecutive year, with a 58.2% loyalty rate. Mercedes-Benz (49.7%) ranks second.

Lexus ranks highest among premium SUV brands for a second consecutive year, with a 57.4% loyalty rate. BMW (54.0%) ranks second.

Toyota ranks highest among mass market car brands for a fourth consecutive year, with a 62.0% loyalty rate. Honda (55.5%) ranks second.

Honda ranks highest among mass market SUV brands for a second consecutive year, with a 62.0% loyalty rate. Subaru (60.6%) ranks second.

Ford ranks highest among truck brands for a fourth consecutive year, with a 66.6% loyalty rate—the highest loyalty rate in the study. Toyota (61.2%) ranks second.

The U.S. Automotive Brand Loyalty Study, now in its seventh year, uses data from the Power Information Network ® (PIN) to calculate whether an owner purchased the same brand after trading in an existing vehicle on a new vehicle. Customer loyalty is based on the percentage of vehicle owners who choose the same brand when trading in or purchasing their next vehicle. Only sales at new-vehicle franchise dealers qualify. The study includes brand loyalty across five segments: premium car; premium SUV; mass market car; mass market SUV; and truck.

The 2025 study calculations are based on transaction data from September 2024 through August 2025 and include all model years traded in for a new vehicle.

For more information about the U.S. Automotive Brand Loyalty Study, visit https://www.jdpower.com/business/us-automotive-brand-loyalty-study.

To view the online press release, please visit http://www.jdpower.com/pr-id/2025116.

About J.D. Power

J.D. Power is a global leader in automotive data and analytics, and provides industry intelligence, consumer insights and advisory solutions to the automotive industry and selected non-automotive industries. J.D. Power leverages its extensive proprietary datasets and software capabilities combined with advanced analytics and artificial intelligence tools to help its clients optimize business performance.

J.D. Power was founded in 1968 and has offices in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. To learn more about the company's business offerings, visit jdpower.com/business. The J.D. Power auto-shopping tool can be found at jdpower.com.

About J.D. Power and Advertising/Promotional Rules:https://www.jdpower.com/business/about-us/press-release-info

J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Brand Loyalty Study

J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Brand Loyalty Study

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A pair of NBA head coaches defended Memphis and its culture Friday following criticism by Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James that the Grizzlies should just relocate to Nashville.

Current Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo and Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic, an assistant in Memphis before taking over as head coach of Toronto, said their experiences did not match the comments by James in a "Bob Does Sports” YouTube video earlier this week.

James criticized Memphis and indicated the NBA would be better off if the Grizzlies moved 200 miles east to Nashville where Tennessee's capital city has Vanderbilt University, NASCAR and even the NHL's Predators. He even said he might have opted to say he wouldn't play in Memphis if the Grizzlies had the first pick in the 2003 draft.

“I can say from my own perspective that I have the complete opposite — 180-degree perspective on that,” Iisalo said. “The Memphis where we have arrived less than two years ago has been very warm. Very welcoming.”

Rajakovic added: “I don't care what the rest of the world thinks. I love the people of Memphis. I love the food. I love every single time I come over here.”

James' criticism included NBA players having nothing to do when teams arrive in Memphis for games.

“In Memphis on a (expletive) random (expletive) Thursday," James said. "I’m not even the first guy to talk about it in the NBA, like, ‘You guys have to move. Go over to Nashville.’”

The Raptors arrived in Memphis a day before Friday night's game and visited St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, which treats childhood cancer patients at no charge to families. Rajakovic called the visit inspiring with his players thanking him for taking them to the hospital to meet patients.

The coaches of the Grizzlies and Raptors have short ties to Memphis with Iisalo in just his second season and first as head coach. Iisalo said Memphis features one of the NBA's most passionate fan bases with the city rallying behind its team.

"All I can say is Memphis is the right place for the Grizzlies,” Iisalo said.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic directs his team against the Detroit Pistons during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic directs his team against the Detroit Pistons during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, left, talks to guard Bronny James during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, left, talks to guard Bronny James during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Memphis Grizzlies head coach Tuomas Iisalo watches play against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 23, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Memphis Grizzlies head coach Tuomas Iisalo watches play against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 23, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Recommended Articles