J.D. Power and Associates Reports: Porsche Ranks Highest Among Nameplates, While Mercedes-Benz Improves Notably in U.S. Initial Quality Study
By J.d. Power And Associates, PRNEWednesday, June 16, 2010
Daimler Assembly Plant in East London, South Africa, Receives Platinum Plant Quality Award
MUNICH, June 17, 2010 - Porsche ranks highest among nameplates in initial quality, while
Mercedes-Benz improves substantially from sixth rank position in 2009 to
third in 2010, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2010 U.S. Initial
Quality Study(SM) (IQS) released today.
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Porsche averages 83 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100). Following in the
rankings are, respectively, Acura (which moves from 14th rank position in
2009 to second in 2010), Mercedes-Benz, Lexus and Ford (which moves into the
top five for the first time since the inception of the study). MINI posts the
largest improvement in 2010, reducing problems by 32 PP100 from 2009. Lower
PP100 scores indicate a lower rate of problem incidences and higher quality.
The Daimler assembly plant in East London, South Africa, receives the
Platinum Plant Quality Award for producing vehicles yielding the fewest
defects and malfunctions. The plant, which averages just 28 problems per 100
vehicles (PP100), produces the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
"Daimler's East London, South Africa, plant has been a top performer for
the past three years, and its achievement in 2010 is particularly
impressive," said Brian Walters, vice president of Europe, Middle East and
Africa operations at J.D. Power and Associates. "Daimler's rigorous quality
management processes are a key reason for why the brand has been able to
assemble consistently high-quality vehicles in different regions of the
world."
2010 U.S. Initial Quality Study Findings
For the first time since the inception of the study 24 years ago, U.S.
auto brands, as a whole, have demonstrated higher initial quality than import
brands (automakers headquartered in Europe or Asia Pacific).
Overall, the industry average for initial quality is 109 problems per 100
vehicles (PP100) in 2010, increasing slightly from 108 PP100 in 2009.
However, initial quality for U.S. brands as a whole has improved by 4 PP100
in 2010 to an average of 108 PP100-slightly better than the initial quality
of import brands, which averages 109 PP100 in 2010.
Substantial improvements by many U.S. models-including the Ford Focus,
Ram 1500 LD and Buick Enclave-drive the overall improvement of domestic
automakers in 2010. In particular, initial quality of Ford models has
improved steadily for the past nine years. In addition, as a corporation,
Ford Motor Company (including Volvo) has 12 models that rank within the top
three in their respective segments in 2010-more than any other corporation.
General Motors Company has 10 models that rank within the top three in their
segments.
Initial quality performance demonstrated by U.S. brands in 2010 contrasts
sharply with consumer sentiment from one year ago. According to data
collected by the J.D. Power Web Intelligence Division between May and July
2009, much of the online consumer discussion about automotive quality
centered around the difficulties U.S. automakers were facing, and perceptions
that these problems were largely caused by poor product quality.
"Domestic automakers have made impressive strides in steadily improving
vehicle quality, particularly since 2007," said David Sargent, vice president
of global vehicle research at J.D. Power and Associates. "This year may mark
a key turning point for U.S. brands as they continue to fight the battle
against lingering negative perceptions of their quality. However, there is
still a long road ahead, and domestic manufacturers need to consistently
prove to consumers that they can produce models with quality that equals or
beats that of the import brands. Achieving quality comparability is the first
half of the battle; convincing consumers-particularly import buyers-that they
have done this is the second half."
According to the Web Intelligence Division, online consumer conversations
about vehicle quality have recently shifted to a more concrete tone. In 2010,
consumers are more often discussing quality as it applies to their own
personal vehicle purchase decisions, rather than how domestic brands overall
are affected by perceptions of low quality.
Initial quality of new models and major redesigns continues to improve in
2010, led by new launches from Ford, Honda, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche.
The all-new Honda Accord Crosstour and the redesigned Ford Mustang, Ford
Taurus and Lexus GX 460 each rank highest in initial quality in their
respective segments. The Ford Fusion, Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe and Sedan
and Porsche Panamera also launch with notably high initial quality levels.
Historically, newly launched models have incurred substantially more
quality problems than carryover models, on average. However, more than
one-half of all models launched during the 2010 model year perform better
than their respective segment averages. Furthermore, 12 all-new and
redesigned models rank within the top three in their respective segments.
Meanwhile, initial quality of carryover and freshened models has declined for
the 2010 model year.
"With automakers committing huge budgets for the design, engineering,
production and marketing of all-new models and major redesigns, hitting the
quality mark out of the gate is critical," said Sargent. "Getting initial
quality right on model launches can serve dual purposes for
automakers-boosting profitability and also inspiring consumer confidence in
the overall quality of their models. Having a strong quality image is
essential for automakers to be able to compete in today's market-both in the
U.S. and around the globe."
The Initial Quality Study serves as the industry benchmark for
new-vehicle quality measured at 90 days of ownership. The study is used
extensively by manufacturers worldwide to help them design and build better
vehicles and by consumers to help them in their vehicle purchase decisions.
Initial quality has been shown over the years to be an excellent predictor of
long-term vehicle durability, which directly impacts consumer purchase
decisions. The study captures problems experienced by owners in two distinct
categories-design-related problems and defects and malfunctions.
2010 U.S. IQS Ranking Highlights
Ford and Lexus each garner three segment awards. Ford captures awards for
the Focus, Mustang and Taurus, while Lexus receives awards for the GS, GX and
LS models. The Lexus LS has the fewest quality problems in the industry, with
just 55 PP100.
Chevrolet, Honda and Toyota receive two awards each. Chevrolet models
earning awards are the Avalanche (in a tie) and the Tahoe. Honda receives
awards for the Accord and the Accord Crosstour, while Toyota receives awards
for the FJ Cruiser and Sienna.
Also receiving segment awards are: Acura RDX, Cadillac Escalade, GMC
Sierra LD (in a tie), Hyundai Accent, Mazda MX-5 Miata, Mercedes-Benz
C-Class, Nissan Frontier, Scion xB and Volvo C70.
Toyota's problem count increases by 16 PP100, moving it from sixth rank
position in 2009 to 21st in 2010.
"Clearly, Toyota has endured a difficult year," said Sargent. "Recent
consumer concerns regarding Toyota's quality are reflected in the nameplate's
performance in the 2010 study. That said, Toyota's success was built on a
well-deserved reputation for quality, and there is little doubt that they
will do everything possible to regain that reputation."
2010 Plant Quality Award Recipients
Among North and South American plants, the Toyota Motor Corporation plant
in Cambridge South, Ontario, Canada, which produces the Lexus RX, achieves
the Gold Plant Quality Award.
In the Asia Pacific region, Toyota Motor Corporation's Kyushu 2, Japan,
plant, which produces the Lexus ES, IS and RX, receives the Gold Plant
Quality Award.
The 2010 Initial Quality Study is based on responses from more than
82,000 purchasers and lessees of new 2010 model-year vehicles surveyed after
90 days of ownership. The study is based on a 228-question battery designed
to provide manufacturers with information to facilitate identification of
problems and to drive product improvement. The study was fielded between
February and May 2010. Visit the J.D. Power Business Center for additional
information on J.D. Power's automotive research.
2010 Nameplate IQS Ranking
Problems per 100 Vehicles
Porsche 83
Acura 86
Mercedes-Benz 87
Lexus 88
Ford 93
Honda 95
Hyundai 102
Lincoln 106
Infiniti 107
Volvo 109
Industry Average 109
Ram 110
Audi 111
Cadillac 111
Chevrolet 111
Nissan 111
BMW 113
Mercury 113
Buick 114
Mazda 114
Scion 114
Toyota 117
Subaru 121
Chrysler 122
Suzuki 122
GMC 126
Kia 126
Jeep 129
Dodge 130
Jaguar 130
MINI 133
Volkswagen 135
Mitsubishi 146
Land Rover 170
Top Three Models per Segment
----------------------------
Car Segments
Sub-Compact Car
---------------
Highest Ranked: Hyundai Accent
Toyota Yaris
Honda Fit
Compact Car
-----------
Highest Ranked: Ford Focus
Honda Civic
Hyundai Elantra
Compact Sporty Car*
-------------------
Highest Ranked: Mazda MX-5 Miata
Scion tC
Compact Premium Sporty Car*
---------------------------
Highest Ranked: Volvo C70
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe
Entry Premium Car
-----------------
Highest Ranked: Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Acura TL
Cadillac CTS
Midsize Premium Car
-------------------
Highest Ranked: Lexus GS
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan
Volvo S80
Midsize Sporty Car*
-------------------
Highest Ranked: Ford Mustang
Dodge Challenger
Large Premium Car
-----------------
Highest Ranked: Lexus LS 460
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Porsche Panamera
Midsize Car
-----------
Highest Ranked: Honda Accord
Ford Fusion
Chevrolet Malibu
Large Car
---------
Highest Ranked: Ford Taurus
Buick Lucerne
Nissan Maxima
NOTE: For a segment award to be issued, there must be at least three
models with sufficient sample that comprise 80 percent of market sales
within an award segment. There were only two premium sporty models and
no large van models with sufficient sample size, thus no premium sporty
or large van awards have been issued.
*No other model in this segment performs above the segment average.
Top Three Models per Segment
Truck/Multi-Activity Vehicle (MAV) Segments
Compact Crossover/SUV
---------------------
Highest Ranked: Toyota FJ Cruiser
Honda CR-V
Honda Element
Compact MPV
-----------
Highest Ranked: Scion xB
Chrysler PT Cruiser Wagon
Nissan Cube
Entry Premium Crossover/SUV
---------------------------
Highest Ranked: Acura RDX
BMW X3
Volvo XC60
Midsize Crossover/SUV
---------------------
Highest Ranked: Honda Accord Crosstour
Honda Pilot
Ford Edge
Large Crossover/SUV
-------------------
Highest Ranked: Chevrolet Tahoe
Chevrolet Suburban
GMC Yukon
Midsize Premium Crossover/SUV
-----------------------------
Highest Ranked: Lexus GX 460
Infiniti FX-Series
Volvo XC70
Large Premium Crossover/SUV
---------------------------
Highest Ranked: Cadillac Escalade
Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
Infiniti QX56 (tie)
Land Rover Range Rover (tie)
Large Pickup
------------
Highest Ranked: Chevrolet Avalanche (tie), GMC Sierra LD (tie)
Ford F-150 LD
Midsize Pickup
--------------
Highest Ranked: Nissan Frontier
Ford Ranger
Ford Explorer Sport Trac
Minivan
-------
Highest Ranked: Toyota Sienna
Kia Sedona
Dodge Grand Caravan
NOTE: For a segment award to be issued, there must be at least three
models with sufficient sample that comprise 80 percent of market
sales within an award segment. There were only two premium sporty
models and no large van models with sufficient sample size, thus no
premium sporty or large van awards have been issued.
2010 Assembly Plant Quality Award Recipients
Based on Models Produced for U.S. Market
Award PP100 Model(s) Produced at Plant
(defects/
malfunctions only)
Platinum Award
Daimler, East London,
South Africa 28 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
North/South America
-------------------
Gold Award
Toyota Motor Company,
Cambridge South, Ontario
(TMMC) 30 Lexus RX
Silver Award
Ford Motor Company,
Hermosillo, Mexico 33 Ford Fusion, Lincoln MKZ
and Mercury Milan
Bronze Award
General Motors
Corporation, Lansing, MI
(Grand River) 37 Cadillac CTS and STS
Asia Pacific
------------
Gold Award
Toyota Motor Corporation,
Kyushu 2, Japan (TMK) 32 Lexus ES, IS and RX
Silver Award
Toyota Motor Corporation,
Tahara 3, Japan 33 Lexus GS, IS and LS
Bronze Award
Toyota Motor Corporation,
Kyushu 1, Japan 37 Lexus HS and RX;
Toyota Highlander
Europe and Africa
-----------------
Silver Award
Porsche, Stuttgart,
Germany 32 Porsche 911 and Boxster
Bronze Award
Daimler, Sindelfingen,
Germany 33 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class;
CLS-Class; E-Class
Sedan; and S-Class
About J.D. Power and Associates
The European headquarters of J.D. Power and Associates is located in
Munich, Germany. With world headquarters in Westlake Village, California,
U.S.A., J.D. Power and Associates is a global marketing information services
company operating in key business sectors including market research,
forecasting, performance improvement, Web intelligence and customer
satisfaction. The company's quality and satisfaction measurements are based
on responses from millions of consumers annually. J.D. Power and Associates
is a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies.
About The McGraw-Hill Companies
Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP) is a global
information and education company providing knowledge, insights and analysis
in the financial, education and business information sectors through leading
brands including Standard & Poor's, McGraw-Hill Education, Platts, and J.D.
Power and Associates. The Corporation has more than 280 offices in 40
countries. Sales in 2009 were US$5.95 billion. Additional information is
available at www.mcgraw-hill.com.
J.D. Power and Associates Media Relations Contacts
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media.relations@jdpa.com
No advertising or other promotional use can be made of the information in
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Media Relations, John Tews, +1-248-312-4119, or Syvetril Perryman, +1-805-418-8103, both of J.D. Power and Associates, media.relations at jdpa.com
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