Ford, GM get top consumer ranking

The American Customer Satisfaction Index, developed at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business, showed U.S. automakers on the rise after problems at Japan's Toyota. Overall, U.S. brands were rated higher than Japanese and Korean autos for the first time since 2000, but were still behind European vehicles.

It was the first time Lincoln-Mercury and Buick have been tops in consumer satisfaction in the survey's history

Despite higher sales, Chrysler's problems persisted. Its Jeep and Dodge brands were rated at the bottom of the list, the report said.

"It's important in that the scores provide (Ford and General Motors ) with a very positive story to tell," Rebecca Lindland, an analyst at HIS Automotive told The Detroit News.

Respondents gave Lincoln-Mercury a score of 89 out of a possible 100, Buick an 88, and BMW AG, Mercedes-Benz and Cadillac were tied at 86.

Ford announced in June it was ending the venerable Mercury brand after a 72-year run.

Copyright 2010 United Press International, Inc. (UPI).