(February 18, 2012) DETROIT — Cadillac is the most-desired automotive brand in the United States by men, according to results of a market research test by a company that studies emotional connections.

The 2012 “Most Desired Brands in the U.S.” survey was conducted by the global strategic neuro-insight firm Buyology Inc and uSamp, which measured personal and emotional connections to 220 well-known brands across 10 industries.

BMW came in behind Cadillac. The two brands were the only ones from the automotive industry making the top 10. The top 10 were in order: Southwest Airlines, Cadillac, BMW, Dove, Bed Bath & Beyond, Apple, Google, Sharp, GE, Macy's.

Cadillac saw retail sales growth of 6.8 percent in 2011, led by the CTS family of cars, which were up 19 percent over 2010, and the mid-size luxury SRX crossover, which increased sales by more than 9.6 percent last year.

Cadillac has been a leading luxury auto brand since 1902.