Lexus is still the most-liked brand among dealers

Lexus retained its spot as the most-liked brand by dealers in the latest National Automobile Dealers Association Dealer Attitude Survey.

The survey, which is conducted twice each year, serves as an NADA report card on dealers' relationships with the automakers they represent.

Sibling brand Toyota ranked second in the summer 2021 survey.

The surveys have tended to reflect a long-running attitude among dealers of certain brands where relations have been consistently positive.

Lexus also took the top spot in the winter 2021 survey and the summer 2020 survey.

"We are grateful for our Toyota and Lexus dealers who continue to surpass customer expectations and take care of their needs," said Toyota Motor North America spokesman Victor Vanov in an emailed statement to Automotive News.

Honda, which ranked fourth in the summer 2020 survey and fifth in the winter 2021 survey, rose to third, while Subaru came in at No. 4, slipping from No. 3 in both the summer 2020 and winter 2021 surveys.

Porsche was No. 5 in the summer 2021 survey, dropping from No. 4 in the winter survey.

The second half of the top 10 saw somewhat more jockeying for position.

BMW, Kia, Audi, Acura and Mazda rounded out the top 10 in the latest survey. BMW climbed two spots from the winter survey to No. 6, Kia slipped one spot to No. 7, and Audi rose one spot to No. 8. Mercedes-Benz and Volvo, which had taken top 10 spots in the winter survey, fell out.

NADA queries dealers on their satisfaction with overall automaker performance and a brand's "willingness to listen to and consider dealer input in their business decisions," the organization said. The summer results have been shared with automakers.

NADA would not disclose the complete summer ranking, where the brands that fell out of the top 10 landed or from what positions marques rose to enter the top 10.

NADA said it will survey dealers in January for its winter 2022 ranking.