The Luxury Institute, which bills itself as "the uniquely impartial, independent and objective ratings and research organization that is the global voice of the high net-worth consumer", has conducted a survey of the wealthy and found that Porsche is the "best of the best" when it comes to luxury car brands.

The institute surveyed a sample of 1505 wealthy American consumers with an average income of $278,000 and average net worth of $2.5 million to come up with the results for the luxury auto survey, as well as 1013 ultra-wealthy American consumers with an average income of $489,000 and average investable assets of $6.8 million to generate the result for its ultra-luxury auto survey.

The wealthy among us voted Porsche, Mercedes-Benz and Lexus as the best luxury brands, while the super-duper wealthy put Maybach, Rolls-Royce and Bentley at the top of their list. The brands were rated using the proprietary Luxury Brand Status Index (LSBI), with Porsche receiving a score of 7.7 out of 10 and Maybach getting a 7.93 out of 10.

The Luxury Instititute says the LBSI measure "four main pillars of brand value": consistently superior quality, exclusivity and uniqueness, the enhancement of social status and the brand's ability to make a customer "feel special." The survey also "measures a brand's ability to merit a significant premium price and referral from wealthy consumers."

Porsche was also the highest rated luxury car brand in the institute's 2008 survey. That year, Acura, Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Infiniti, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lexus, Lincoln, Mercedes, Porsche and Volvo were rated.

"The days of faux luxury, where some brands pretended to deliver luxury and aspirational customer pretended they can afford it, are long gone. Today, true luxury is being acquired by those who can afford it, and that is health for everyone," said Luxury Institute CEO Milton Pedraza.

Mr. Pedraza must've never heard of Buick.

"In the 21st century, luxury and ultra-luxury automobiles still validate their clients, but with the advent of truly independent rating entities it is more important that customers also validate the brands. Our independent ratings provide guidance to consumers and brands corresponding to direct ratings from the voice of the wealthy customer," Pedraza said.

 

Great reassuring news DJ...

 

And I'm sure the hedge (Porsche) thanks them too. I like how Maybach got a 7.93 out of 10 among the 'super-duper wealthy', since there are so many people with Maybach out there. Who the hell is the "Luxury Institute' any way?

"Today, true luxury is being acquired by those who can afford it, and that is health for everyone," said Luxury Institute CEO Milton Pedraza.--What?

 

 

well it's nice that they recognized Porsche and all but who are these people?

and as stated, Maybach only 7.93 out of 10? how jaded are these super rich?

 

Maybach is crap - I'm wondering what credibility to give to a survey that rates a tarted up (old) S-class over a Rolls.