Interest in Alternative Energy Vehicles Revs up in China, while Japan and US Are Slower to Come on Board, New SSI Study Reveals

SHELTON, Connecticut, January 26 - As the world narrows its focus on environmental concerns, interest in
eco-friendly cars is broadening, according to a new international study by
Survey Sampling International (SSI). SSI conducted an online study October
1-10, 2009, of 1,000 people per country in China, Japan, and the US regarding
alternative energy vehicles. The study found that China had the highest
interest in moving toward alternative energy vehicles - hybrids powered by
both gasoline and electricity. Half of those interested in purchasing an
alternative energy vehicle said they will definitely select an eco-car for
their next automobile purchase.

The percentages of those planning to purchase alternative energy vehicles
were far lower in Japan and the US. One quarter of those surveyed in Japan
said they will definitely buy an alternative energy vehicle and in the US,
14% said they will buy such a vehicle. This could be due in part to China's
taxation policies which encourage saving energy, emission discharge
reduction, and environmental protection by enterprises.

"SSI's Japan team conducted this study to assess drivers' awareness of
alternative energy cars," explained JK Leong, SSI APAC Managing Director.
"SSI wanted to determine the willingness of people to buy eco-friendly
vehicles. We also wanted to see which features are most important to people
when shopping for alternative energy vehicles."

Brand Is the Most Important Decision Factor in both China and the US

When asked how much importance they would place on various factors when
purchasing an eco-car, Chinese said that manufacturer brand name/maker was
most important (39.6%) followed by body type (29.5%). US consumers followed
this pattern with manufacturer brand name/maker most important (32.6%)
followed by body type (21.4%). In contrast, Japanese respondents cited
vehicle price after tax reductions and subsidies (30.6%) as their key
decision factor followed by manufacturer brand name/maker (23.1%).

Older Consumers in China and Japan Showed the Greatest Interest in
Alternative Energy Vehicles, while in the US Younger Consumers had the
Greatest Interest

Interest in purchasing an eco-friendly car is generally consistent across
age groups within each country but varies widely among countries. Of those in
China who are interested in purchasing an alternative energy vehicle, people
aged 40-49 years had the most interest (52.6%) and people aged 18-29 years
had the least interest (47.4%). In Japan, people in their 60s had the most
interest (29.7%) while people in their 30s showed the least interest (18.8%).
In the US, the trend reversed with people aged 18-29 years showing the most
interest (16%) and those aged 30-39, the least (10.9%).

"SSI's in-depth, annual survey - which we'll conduct again in September -
will help forecast the future market share of eco-cars in these countries,"
added Hiroyuki Kakizume, SSI Managing Director Japan. "Car manufacturers can
use the insights our global survey provides to help them create effective
strategies to target markets in China, Japan, and the US."

Other study insights include which eco-cars are the most popular. The
majority of Japanese drivers who have an interest in purchasing an eco-car
say the most desirable vehicle is the Toyota electric minivan. Toyota was
also the most popular vehicle among US consumers, with the most desirable
eco-car being the Toyota electric sedan. The majority of Chinese consumers
who have an interest in purchasing an alternative energy vehicle prefer the
Audi electric sedan.

About Survey Sampling International

Survey Sampling International is the premier global provider of sampling
solutions for survey research. SSI reaches respondents in 54 countries via
Internet, telephone, and mobile. Client services include questionnaire design
consultation, programming and hosting, and data processing. SSI serves more
than 1,800 clients, including three-quarters of the top research
organizations. Founded in 1977, SSI has 17 offices in 15 countries.

Ilene Siegalovsky, Vice President, Global Marketing, +1-203-567-7206, Ilene_Siegalovsky at surveysampling.com