ANALYSTS at JD Power claim to have identified the principal factors governing car badge choice. The wish list thrown up by the 2000 Study shows some marked differences in brand perception between private and fleet buyers.

Brands bought for practicality include Daewoo and SEAT, desirability Subaru and Mazda, and reputation Mercedes-Benz and Nissan. But as the majority of respondents were private buyers, it could be concluded that each wanted to show they had a strong reason to choose a particular car.