WHO ARE CALIFORNIA'S TOP CAR DEALERSHIPS? WATCH FOR USA TODAY'S LIST IN JUNE

USA TODAY will publish its first-ever list of top California car dealerships in June, with customers and dealers helping to determine the winners.     

Results from a consumer panel and a survey of car dealers will shape the ranking of “Best Car Dealerships in California.” The surveys were developed by market research and rankings provider Statista.

The results will be published in USA TODAY on June 18.

Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning.

The purchase of a car is a significant decision that puts many consumers on edge. With more than 5,000 new and used car dealerships in California, determining the right one can be challenging.

The goal is to help people find the dealer for their needs through a comprehensive ranking system. By providing transparent and reliable evaluations, the aim is to empower consumers to make informed choices and streamline their car-buying experience.

To help create lists of best dealers, two surveys will be conducted:

• A survey among people who have recently bought cars or plan to in the next year. The consumer panel will be asked to evaluate dealerships on demeanor and competence of the sales staff; offerings including transparency of information and conditions, availability of test drives and additional services; price, including willingness of the sales staff to negotiate; and overall satisfaction.
• An expert survey among the car dealers. Dealers are not allowed to recommend their own dealership or any dealership that is part of their group or chain. They will be asked which dealership they would recommend to their family and friends, outside of their own business.

Using the results, a scoring model will be developed to identify California's top 250 car dealerships.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who are California's top car dealerships? Watch for USA TODAY's list in June

2025-03-21T14:01:47Z