Score another one for Detroit: Domestics make gains in customer satisfaction
The University of Michigan's National Quality Research Center released its American Customer Satisfaction Index today, which found that in general customer satisfaction has slightly increased this year in the automotive industry, and specifically domestic automakers have gained ground on their import competitors. While Lexus leads all brands with a score of 87 out of 100, Cadillac (86), Buick (86) and Lincoln-Mercury (86) all came within spitting distance of Toyota's luxury leader. Toyota and Honda, meanwhile, slid compared to last year, both achieving a score of 84. While improving, Ford (80), Chevy (82) and Dodge (80) still have a gap to close on their Japanese competitors. These scores actually mirror closely the rankings in J.D. Power and Associates recently released 2007 Vehicle Dependability Study, and one would assume a customer's satisfaction with his or her vehicle has something to do with its dependability. That study saw Lexus tied with Buick for first place, with Cadillac, Lincoln and Mercury not far behind, as well.
[Source: University of Michigan, Automotive News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Rambo 5:17PM (8/14/2007)
The gap between Chevy, Dodge and Ford and the imports will be closed by Toyota and Honda as they continue to fall.
Toyota and Nissan making false claims about their products capabilities will also hurt them in the long run. A down turn in the economy and a falling dollar should further hurt import sales.
As the economy suffers the usually financialy over-stretched yuppie will have a harder time paying the import premiums.
Reply
Dave 5:27PM (8/14/2007)
What false claims do you speak of? All automakers have made a false claim at some point.
Rambo 6:01PM (8/14/2007)
The most deceitful adds come from Toyota...
1. Trying (unsuccessfully) to impress proud American truck owners Toyota comes at us with that stupid Tundra add pulling that container from over a cliff! Anyone who has some concept of physics knows that both truck and container would be over the edge as soon as that rig was let loose.
Furthermore, why do the Japanese constanly hide behind American announcers. Even the Europeans don't try to act like they are Americans. The only time I ever saw a Japanese guy trying to sell a Japanese car was the Z-guy and he wasn't allowed to speak!
2. Toyota MPG ratings on their adds are deceitfull. They claim the Corolla gets 41mpg, Camry 33mpg, Rav4 30mpg, Prius 60mpg. I feel sorry for the fool that pays good money and then some for these cars only to get seriously disappointed. Try 30,27,26 and 40!
Of course, Toyotas don't usually come with trip computers so who's checking!
I could go on and on but I you don't notice you probably never will. I won't both with Nissan because they've been doing it for years.
Dave 6:57PM (8/14/2007)
I'll agree with the ad, but claiming that Toyota, Nissan or any company lies about MPG ratings is riciculous. They are REQUIRED to put the EPA results on their cars. Every automaker is REQUIRED to put these numbers even if they know that owners can't achieve them.
digitalzombie 7:06PM (8/14/2007)
It's advertisement man, kind of like the dodge caliber with the fairy shooting sprinkle. I'm sure I can say anyone with a fairly good fairy stupid knowledge would know it is impossible to deflect fairy dust.
*roll eyes*
I'm *suure* getting Japanese people to sell car can get people like YOU to buy them. I'm sure dressing a lil Jap up in a cowboy get up can sell a truck with Texans.
How is a lie by not letting the Z dude talk? It's just what they thought would increase their profit.
Look maybe where you come from you can categorize smart business as lies but I don't think so.
I'll consider lies when they starts strapping firestone tires on their SUV that were rated for sedan and blame it on the tire company.
It seems to me you're just whining. Blah Blah sky is blue. Blah blah physic. Blah blah commercial. Quit bitching about stupid stuff.
Rambo 7:22PM (8/14/2007)
Digital'Zombie', if you got yourself away from the computer for a few hours you might finally start seeing straight!
My points are valid and current, go cry somewhere else.
Tim 5:18PM (8/14/2007)
Man, two pro-America articles in a one week time span. The foreign lovers much be going nuts by now. Or maybe they're writing Consumer Reports about how sucky their American car is and how impeccible their foreign made Accamry is.
Reply
Jason 6:19PM (8/14/2007)
Not really... I'm enjoying my new Acura immensely. :-)
Bob-omb 7:13PM (8/14/2007)
You mean how nice my U.S. made Camry is, and how sucky my Foreign made HHR is.
USofA 11:01PM (8/14/2007)
There is a difference between 'made' and 'assembled'.
There are only a few import models assembled in the U.S.A. and even fewer domestic models assembled in Mexico and Canada.
Barney 11:35PM (8/14/2007)
You can even go one further, US of A. "There are only a few import models assembled in the U.S.A. and even fewer domestic models assembled in Mexico and Canada."
Canada's number one export is car parts. These parts are used in the U.S.A. to make (assemble) American cars.
Ligor 5:25PM (8/14/2007)
they have nowhere but up to go frrom now on, considering they don't want to be at the top once more
great job D. town
Reply
willem 5:40PM (8/14/2007)
It's time that the media finally recognizes the fact that America makes cars that people want and that those cars won't leave them stranded. In the wake of Toy recalling more cars than they sold, traitors have one less perceived advantage with their beloved Japmobiles. What a blow to their collective psyche that must be -- the epiphany that they had wool pulled over their eyes all this time! Coupled with industry and independent results that are easily verifiable (unlike Consumer Distorts), American automakers are finally receiving long-overdue credit.
Reply
Rambo 6:14PM (8/14/2007)
Take your point of you with you to the Japanese Autoblog site.
The grass is always greener on the other side.
Reply
Barney 6:45PM (8/14/2007)
"Almost as good as" still don't make it to the top. There was a time when the big(?) three had no competition and little to compare to. Now there is a struggle because people have learned that they do have a choice. The patriots will still buy what they think is for loyalty while those who see realism, buy what their dollar is worth. One may wonder what improvements would have been made with the domestic car makers and their political savvy. It's to late to demand the competition be squashed.
Reply
Lithous 7:26PM (8/14/2007)
" 'Almost as good as' still don't make it to the top."
No, we all can't be #1 in the world at something like Barney. But we do strive.
Barney 8:48PM (8/14/2007)
"No, we all can't be #1 in the world"
You could get closer by not referring to yourself as "we" but never will be number one. It must be tough being stupid.
Rambo 7:22PM (8/14/2007)
Did you have to get some help comming up with yours?
You probably put little thought into it, just like your cars!
Reply
Bryan 7:46PM (8/14/2007)
Awww, all the import lovers are upset. Of course Lexus is on top...Toyota hides recalls and problems and says it is the customers fault..always. How can you have problems when its the customers fault? Silly import lovers.
Reply
Bryan 8:08PM (8/14/2007)
Wow Bob, lame comeback, lame. Lets fast forward to 2007, okay?