Sales may be down for American cars, but a new study shows that consumers still see them in a favorable light.

A new Brand Watch study from Kelley Blue Book has American-made vehicles rated as the best in several categories when it comes to interior and exterior styling.

"The results of the latest quarterly Brand Watch report show that consumers? perceptions of domestic brands remain strongly favorable in many categories, particularly in the truck segment, even in the midst of the current tough automotive marketplace," said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial editor and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book and kbb.com. "New-car shoppers also are taking note of brands that are adding models to their new-vehicle lineup, such as Audi in the sports car/convertible segment, resulting in heightened positive brand perception."

The second quarter 2008 Brand Watch report looks into active new-vehicle shoppers to determine their perceptions of automotive brands within specific automotive segments. The study also looks at factors driving purchase decisions in each vehicle segment and perceptions of styling/design, driving performance, durability/reliability and comfort for each make and segment.

"Brand Watch provides tremendous insights into the minds of in-market new-car shoppers, the very people upon which the future sales and profits of the automakers rest," said Rick Wainschel, senior vice president of marketing and analytics for Kelley Blue Book and kbb.com. "In these tough economic times, especially in the auto industry, consumers voicing their opinions via studies like Brand Watch help automakers better understand how their brand is perceived right now, and allow them to make real-time marketing decisions that will positively affect their bottom line."

The Brand Watch results from the second quarter of 2008, compiled by Kelley Blue Book Marketing Research, reflect the brand perceptions of more than 3,000 active, in-market vehicle shoppers. Each quarter, Kelley Blue Book Marketing Research collects the results in 17 main categories, including best exterior design and interior design, among the seven major vehicle segments.

Based on the entire year of 2008 Brand Watch report data, Kelley Blue Book will host the second annual 2009 Brand Image Awards Dinner and Ceremony in New York City during the week of the New York International Auto Show in April. In addition to announcing the annual winners in the 17 main categories, three overall category winners also will be named: Best Overall Exterior Design; Best Overall Interior Design; and Best Overall Prestige Brand.

The top brands for interior and exterior design in the second quarter are:

Best Exterior Design:

Non-Luxury Sedan/Coupe/Hatchback Segment: Honda

Luxury Sedan/Coupe/Hatchback Segment: BMW

Non-Luxury SUV Segment: Ford

Luxury SUV Segment: Lexus

Truck Segment: Chevrolet

Minivan Segment: Toyota

Sports Car/Convertible Segment: Porsche

Best Interior Design

Non-Luxury Sedan/Coupe/Hatchback Segment: Toyota

Luxury Sedan/Coupe/Hatchback Segment: Lexus

Non-Luxury SUV Segment: GMC

Luxury SUV Segment: Cadillac & Mercedes-Benz (Tie)

Truck Segment: Chevrolet

Minivan Segment: Honda

Sports Car/Convertible Segment: Audi