SOURCE: Luxury Institute

June 26, 2007 11:00 ET

Luxury Institute Survey: Ultra-High Net Worth Consumers Rate Most Prestigious Ultra-Luxury Autos: Maybach, Rolls Royce and Bentley

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - June 26, 2007) - Wealthy consumers with a minimum net worth of $5 million and $200k annual income rated Maybach the most prestigious ultra-luxury automobile in the 2007 Luxury Brand Status Index (LBSI) survey from the independent New York-based Luxury Institute (www.LuxuryInstitute.com). Rolls Royce and Bentley placed second and third, respectively.

"Wealthy consumers are looking to trade up from traditional luxury brands that have moved toward the mainstream. Yet, many ultra-luxury brands have low familiarity, or are highly misperceived even by the ultra-wealthy. Our surveys indicate significant opportunities for ultra-luxury autos to carve out important sub-segments between the three most highly rated ultra-luxury brands and the mere luxury brands, and even an opportunity above the highest current tier," said Milton Pedraza, CEO of the Luxury Institute. "Ultra-luxury auto executives are facing a time of critical decisions. As an independent research entity, the Luxury Institute delivers the impartial voice of the high net worth consumer and facilitates a candid dialogue with brands that seek to serve them.

Brands rated (alphabetically) Aston Martin, Bentley, BMW, Bugatti (Veyron), Ferrari, Lamborghini, Lotus, Maserati, Maybach, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and Rolls Royce.

The proprietary Luxury Brand Status Index (LBSI) survey is the only measure of the reputation of leading brands among wealthy Americans. A national sample of over 500 ultra-wealthy American consumers, with an average income of $775K, and average net worth of $14.4 million, was surveyed online. Survey results are weighted to match demographic and net worth profiles of the same audience according to the latest Survey of Consumer Finances from The Federal Reserve.

About the Luxury Institute

The Luxury Institute is the uniquely independent and impartial ratings, reviews and research institution that is the trusted and respected voice of the high net-worth consumer. The Institute provides a portfolio of proprietary publications and research that guides and educates high net-worth individuals and the companies that cater to them on leading edge trends, high net-worth consumer rankings and ratings of luxury brands, and best practices. The Luxury Institute also operates the Luxury Board (www.luxuryboard.com), the world's first global, membership-based online community for luxury goods and services executives, professionals and entrepreneurs. To reach the Luxury Institute, please call 646-792-2669 or go to www.luxuryinstitute.com.

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