Jumpstart: Jeep, Ford, Acura Drive Summer Traffic
Jumpstart Automotive Media analysts say Jeep, Ford, and Acura led all brands in generating interest among car buyers in early summer.


The new-for-2019 Acura RDX has enjoyed a 70% share-of-segment online traffic gain since June 2017, including a 35% jump from June 2018 to July 2018, according to Jumpstart Automotive Media. Photo courtesy American Honda Motor Co.
SAN FRANCISCO — Jeep, Ford, and Acura each enjoyed significant gains in consumer interest in June, according to the latest report from Jumpstart Automotive Media’s shopper insights team.
Jeep’s share of interest on Jumpstart sites increased by 15% from June 2017 to June 2018. In the past year, Jeep has leapfrogged Nissan and BMW and now is the fifth-most-shopped brand, up from No. 7 in June 2017. Additionally, the first half of 2018 was Jeep’s best sales half-year ever with $495,000 in sales, according to Automotive News.
Ford has seen the most growth (20%) in shopper interest year-over-year among the top 10 brands and has been the most-shopped brand for 11 of the past 13 months. Jumpstart analysts singled out the highly anticipated reintroduction of the Ranger pickup, which has been the most-researched model on Jumpstart sites for three of the past five months — despite the fact that it won’t arrive at dealerships until early next year — as well as the EcoSport SUV and Mustang Shelby GT 500.
Acura’s share of interest increased 14% from the prior month, mainly due to the launch of its new RDX, analysts said. Within the compact luxury SUV/CUV segment, the RDX gained a 35% share of segment compared to May and increased 70% from June 2017. Gaining two spots on the ranking, RDX surpassed Lexus NX and BMW X1 to become the share of segment leader.
Trucks and utilities remain hot commodities, said Colin Thomas, senior analyst of strategic insights at Jumpstart, but they aren’t the only vehicles driving traffic online.
“Jeep has captivated many shoppers with its rugged off-road capabilities and exterior styling, while Ford and Acura continue to build versatile trucks and utilities and performance-driven cars that are desirable to many shoppers today,” Thomas said.
Originally posted on F&I and Showroom
More Digital

Your Dealership Is Being Judged by AI Search
Car shoppers are asking the tools where to buy, service and trade. The question is whether your dealership is showing up as the answer.
Read More →
Cox Automotive Tool to Streamline Dealership Workflows
The new Navigator offering is designed to work for dealers across the company's technology solutions for time savings and more.
Read More →
DAS Technology Earns Multiple Industry Honors
The company's Power AI Search was recognized for automotive artificial intelligence as .
Read More →
Reduce Fragmentation, Connect Customer Data
Automotive dealerships have the opportunity to reach more consumers by putting their customer data into a unified system, according to a new report.
Read More →
Dealer Debrief: Service Tech Recognition
In this week's debrief, host Lauren Lawrence covers a change to Automotive Service Professionals Month, a dealership acquisition, and a new Lexus rooftop!
Read More →
Dealer Debrief: Manufacturing Meets Demand
In this week's debrief, host Lauren Lawrence covers shifting strategies in the U.S. auto industry and how they reflect the current consumer demand.
Read More →
Trust of Autonomous Cars Not Automatic
A poll of U.S. consumers finds more awareness of the technology but no movement when it comes to relying on it for transportation.
Read More →
Dealer Debrief: New Technician Credential & Vehicles for Change
In this week's debrief, host Lauren Lawrence covers a new ADAS technician credential that is in the works and a partnership between NADA and Vehicles for Change.
Read More →
Dealer Debrief: Dealer's Choice Awards
In this week's debrief, host Lauren Lawrence covers reinsurance, IIHS safety picks, and voting for the 2026 Dealers' Choice Awards.
Read More →
JD Power Launches F&I Performance, ID Verification Tools
The resources are the first two offerings by the company's new Dealer Solutions division, which is being led by auto industry veteran Doug Betts.
Read More →