Dealer Satisfaction With Franchises at 4-Year Low in Poll

Auto dealer satisfaction with the car makers whose brands they sell reached a four-year low in 1989, with domestic nameplates once again trailing Asian and European ones, J. D. Power and Associates said today.

However, the California marketing information firm said the drop in its Dealer Satisfaction Index is not unusual, given the glut of unsold vehicles that has depressed dealer profits.

Power’s annual study of 34 brand names showed that the top domestic franchises as ranked by auto dealers were Ford and Lincoln-Mercury--but those brands ranked below no fewer than 14 import nameplates.

Range Rover placed first, pushing Honda’s Acura division to second place from the top spot in 1988. Mercedes-Benz held on to the No. 3 spot as it did in 1988.

Chevrolet, Geo and GMC, all nameplates of General Motors Corp., scored a three-way tie for last place, the study said.