J.D Power releases 2008 Initial Quality Study
Industry makes big gains in initial quality, Honda scores three segment leaders
It's that time of year again when automakers either cringe or giggle with glee at the results of the J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study. The IQS measures problems per 100 vehicles during the first 90 days of ownership in the areas of quality of design (i.e. poorly designed cupholders) and defects and malfunctions, and the entire auto industry deserves a pat on the back for improving its average in 2008 to 118 problems per 100 vehicles versus 125 PP100 in 2007. J.D. Power says 86% of that gain came from eliminating defects and malfunction in new vehicles. Follow the jump to find out the best performing makes and models in the 2008 IQS.
Now it's time for the rankings themselves, so let's start with brands before we break it down by vehicle segments. Porsche earned the No. 1 spot for the third year in a row with a stellar score of just 87 PP100, while Infiniti jumped from 9th place to 2nd with 98 PP100. Lexus was right behind in 3rd with 99 PP100, while Mercedes-Benz and Toyota tied for 4th with 104 PP100 each. Notably absent from the top five this year is Lincoln, which made headlines in 2007 by earning 3rd place, but fell all the way to 15th in 2008. The highest placing Ford brand this year was Mercury in 5th with 109 PP100, while Ford itself landed in 7th place with 112 PP100. GM's highest performers were Cadillac and Chevy in 10th place, both with 113 PP100, while Pontiac and Buick both scored above the industry average of 118 PP100. Chrysler LLC brands, however, did not do well with all three placing below the industry average. Dodge was highest in the 20th position at 141 PP100, with Chrysler following at 142 PP100 and Jeep coming in dead last with 167 PP100.
Honda already has a big feather for its cap this week after the Civic beat the Ford F-150 in May as best-selling vehicle in the U.S., and the 2008 IQS will add three more quills to the brand's heavy hat. The Honda Fit, Civic and CR-V were all segment leaders, giving Honda the most for any single brand. Honda America also added the Infiniti M-Series and EX-Series. The EX-Series is in its first model year, so winning its segment for 2008 is especially impressive. Kudos are due the new Chevy Malibu, which also led its segment during its first year of production. Though Chrysler brands didn't perform well, the Dodge Dakota and Durango did win the segments of Midsize Pickup and Midsize MAV (SUV). Meanwhile, the Porsche 911 posted the lowest PP100 of all vehicles in the industry at just 67.
PRESS RELEASE
J.D. Power and Associates Reports:
Overall Initial Quality Improves Considerably, with Gains Shared Across Most Manufacturers
American Honda, Ford Motor Company, General Motors Corporation and Toyota Motor Sales
Each Capture Three Initial Quality Model Awards
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.: 4 June 2008 - Initial quality in the automotive industry has improved significantly in 2008, with substantial gains demonstrated by nearly three-fourths of the 36 ranked nameplates, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Initial Quality StudySM (IQS) released today. Overall quality improves to 118 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) in 2008, down from 125 PP100 in 2007.
"Due to some strong new-vehicle launches, in addition to a continued reduction in the level of defects and malfunctions, overall quality improves by 6 percent in 2008, compared with 2007," said David Sargent, vice president of automotive research at J.D. Power and Associates. "This gain is driven not only by strong advances from many of the high-volume brands such as Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota, but also by very significant improvements by many other automakers. This industry-wide improvement is a testament to the effort that automakers are putting into listening to the voice of the customer, and the hard work they have undertaken to integrate that feedback to design, engineer and manufacture better-quality vehicles. From working closely with the industry, we see the importance that is placed on initial quality. Vehicle manufacturers and consumers alike are reaping the rewards of this effort."
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 vehicle 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 durability, which can significantly impact consumer purchase decisions. The study captures problems experienced by owners in two distinct categories-quality of design and defects and malfunctions.
The study finds that 86 percent of the overall improvement is due to advances in eliminating defects and malfunctions. Minimizing design problems remains a major challenge for the industry, particularly since new technology, such as navigation and entertainment devices, is becoming increasingly common in today's new vehicles.
"As consumer demand for new and more advanced wireless communication, navigation and audio technology continues to grow, manufacturers face challenges related to how well these systems are integrated into their vehicles," said Sargent. "In particular, issues with difficult-to-use audio and entertainment controls and voice command recognition failure are among the top ten problems most frequently reported by customers. Since hands-free communication for drivers will become a mandate in more and more areas throughout the U.S., this will need to be an area of continued focus for automakers."
The study also finds that new-vehicle sales patterns in 2008 have shifted away from the largest models and toward smaller models.
"This shift in sales preferences among new-vehicle buyers is in part a response to rapidly increasing fuel prices," said Sargent. "The good news for consumers in this difficult environment is that they can downsize with confidence, as there are many models with high initial quality in the smaller-vehicle segments. J.D. Power and Associates forecasts that 28 new compact-vehicle models will launch by 2010, and it will be particularly important for manufacturers to ensure high initial quality in these launches."
2008 IQS Ranking Highlights
Honda models capture three segment awards-more than any other nameplate in the 2008 study-for the Civic, CR-V and Fit. Garnering two segment awards each are: Chevrolet (Malibu and Silverado LD); Dodge (Dakota and Durango); Infiniti (EX-Series and M-Series); Lexus (LS and RX); and Mercedes-Benz (CLK-Class and E-Class). The Porsche 911 has the fewest quality problems in the industry, with just 67 problems per 100 vehicles. Also receiving segment awards are the Ford E-Series, Lincoln Navigator, Mazda MX-5 Miata, Pontiac Grand Prix Sedan and Toyota Sequoia.
"In past years, automakers have frequently struggled to achieve very high initial quality with new models," said Sargent. "With product launches and redesigns often being problematic for manufacturers from a quality standpoint, it is particularly impressive that the Chevrolet Malibu and Infiniti EX-Series achieve such high levels of quality that they receive awards in their launch year."
For a third consecutive year, Porsche tops the overall nameplate rankings, averaging 87 PP100. Following in the rankings are Infiniti (which improves from 9th rank position in 2007), Lexus, Mercedes-Benz and Toyota, respectively. Audi posts the largest improvement in ranking, moving from 26th place in 2007 to 10th in 2008.
"Porsche continues its steady improvement and has succeeded in distancing itself from the second-ranked nameplate to a greater degree in 2008-by a gap of 11 PP100-compared with 3 PP100 in 2007," said Sargent.
Assembly Plant Awards
The Mercedes-Benz assembly plant in Sindelfingen, Germany, receives the Platinum Plant Quality Award for producing vehicles yielding the fewest defects and malfunctions. Averaging just 33 PP100, the plant produces the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class, CLS-Class, E-Class Sedan, E-Class Wagon and S-Class. Plant awards are based solely on defect and malfunction counts.
Among North and South American plants, the Toyota plant in Baja California, Mexico, which produces the Toyota Tacoma, achieves the Gold Plant Quality Award.
In the Asia Pacific region, Toyota's Fujimatsu, Japan, plant, which produces the Toyota Prius, receives the Gold Plant Quality Award.
The 2008 Initial Quality Study is based on responses from more than 81,500 purchasers and lessees of new 2008 model-year cars and trucks surveyed after 90 days of ownership. The study is based on a 228-question battery designed to provide manufacturers with information to facilitate problem determination and drive product improvement. The study was fielded between February and April 2008.
Find more detailed findings on new-vehicle quality performance as well as model photos and specs by watching a video, reading an article and reviewing quality ratings at JDPower.com.
It's that time of year again when automakers either cringe or giggle with glee at the results of the J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study. The IQS measures problems per 100 vehicles during the first 90 days of ownership in the areas of quality of design (i.e. poorly designed cupholders) and defects and malfunctions, and the entire auto industry deserves a pat on the back for improving its average in 2008 to 118 problems per 100 vehicles versus 125 PP100 in 2007. J.D. Power says 86% of that gain came from eliminating defects and malfunction in new vehicles. Follow the jump to find out the best performing makes and models in the 2008 IQS.
Now it's time for the rankings themselves, so let's start with brands before we break it down by vehicle segments. Porsche earned the No. 1 spot for the third year in a row with a stellar score of just 87 PP100, while Infiniti jumped from 9th place to 2nd with 98 PP100. Lexus was right behind in 3rd with 99 PP100, while Mercedes-Benz and Toyota tied for 4th with 104 PP100 each. Notably absent from the top five this year is Lincoln, which made headlines in 2007 by earning 3rd place, but fell all the way to 15th in 2008. The highest placing Ford brand this year was Mercury in 5th with 109 PP100, while Ford itself landed in 7th place with 112 PP100. GM's highest performers were Cadillac and Chevy in 10th place, both with 113 PP100, while Pontiac and Buick both scored above the industry average of 118 PP100. Chrysler LLC brands, however, did not do well with all three placing below the industry average. Dodge was highest in the 20th position at 141 PP100, with Chrysler following at 142 PP100 and Jeep coming in dead last with 167 PP100.
Honda already has a big feather for its cap this week after the Civic beat the Ford F-150 in May as best-selling vehicle in the U.S., and the 2008 IQS will add three more quills to the brand's heavy hat. The Honda Fit, Civic and CR-V were all segment leaders, giving Honda the most for any single brand. Honda America also added the Infiniti M-Series and EX-Series. The EX-Series is in its first model year, so winning its segment for 2008 is especially impressive. Kudos are due the new Chevy Malibu, which also led its segment during its first year of production. Though Chrysler brands didn't perform well, the Dodge Dakota and Durango did win the segments of Midsize Pickup and Midsize MAV (SUV). Meanwhile, the Porsche 911 posted the lowest PP100 of all vehicles in the industry at just 67.
PRESS RELEASE
J.D. Power and Associates Reports:
Overall Initial Quality Improves Considerably, with Gains Shared Across Most Manufacturers
American Honda, Ford Motor Company, General Motors Corporation and Toyota Motor Sales
Each Capture Three Initial Quality Model Awards
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.: 4 June 2008 - Initial quality in the automotive industry has improved significantly in 2008, with substantial gains demonstrated by nearly three-fourths of the 36 ranked nameplates, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Initial Quality StudySM (IQS) released today. Overall quality improves to 118 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) in 2008, down from 125 PP100 in 2007.
"Due to some strong new-vehicle launches, in addition to a continued reduction in the level of defects and malfunctions, overall quality improves by 6 percent in 2008, compared with 2007," said David Sargent, vice president of automotive research at J.D. Power and Associates. "This gain is driven not only by strong advances from many of the high-volume brands such as Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota, but also by very significant improvements by many other automakers. This industry-wide improvement is a testament to the effort that automakers are putting into listening to the voice of the customer, and the hard work they have undertaken to integrate that feedback to design, engineer and manufacture better-quality vehicles. From working closely with the industry, we see the importance that is placed on initial quality. Vehicle manufacturers and consumers alike are reaping the rewards of this effort."
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 vehicle 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 durability, which can significantly impact consumer purchase decisions. The study captures problems experienced by owners in two distinct categories-quality of design and defects and malfunctions.
The study finds that 86 percent of the overall improvement is due to advances in eliminating defects and malfunctions. Minimizing design problems remains a major challenge for the industry, particularly since new technology, such as navigation and entertainment devices, is becoming increasingly common in today's new vehicles.
"As consumer demand for new and more advanced wireless communication, navigation and audio technology continues to grow, manufacturers face challenges related to how well these systems are integrated into their vehicles," said Sargent. "In particular, issues with difficult-to-use audio and entertainment controls and voice command recognition failure are among the top ten problems most frequently reported by customers. Since hands-free communication for drivers will become a mandate in more and more areas throughout the U.S., this will need to be an area of continued focus for automakers."
The study also finds that new-vehicle sales patterns in 2008 have shifted away from the largest models and toward smaller models.
"This shift in sales preferences among new-vehicle buyers is in part a response to rapidly increasing fuel prices," said Sargent. "The good news for consumers in this difficult environment is that they can downsize with confidence, as there are many models with high initial quality in the smaller-vehicle segments. J.D. Power and Associates forecasts that 28 new compact-vehicle models will launch by 2010, and it will be particularly important for manufacturers to ensure high initial quality in these launches."
2008 IQS Ranking Highlights
Honda models capture three segment awards-more than any other nameplate in the 2008 study-for the Civic, CR-V and Fit. Garnering two segment awards each are: Chevrolet (Malibu and Silverado LD); Dodge (Dakota and Durango); Infiniti (EX-Series and M-Series); Lexus (LS and RX); and Mercedes-Benz (CLK-Class and E-Class). The Porsche 911 has the fewest quality problems in the industry, with just 67 problems per 100 vehicles. Also receiving segment awards are the Ford E-Series, Lincoln Navigator, Mazda MX-5 Miata, Pontiac Grand Prix Sedan and Toyota Sequoia.
"In past years, automakers have frequently struggled to achieve very high initial quality with new models," said Sargent. "With product launches and redesigns often being problematic for manufacturers from a quality standpoint, it is particularly impressive that the Chevrolet Malibu and Infiniti EX-Series achieve such high levels of quality that they receive awards in their launch year."
For a third consecutive year, Porsche tops the overall nameplate rankings, averaging 87 PP100. Following in the rankings are Infiniti (which improves from 9th rank position in 2007), Lexus, Mercedes-Benz and Toyota, respectively. Audi posts the largest improvement in ranking, moving from 26th place in 2007 to 10th in 2008.
"Porsche continues its steady improvement and has succeeded in distancing itself from the second-ranked nameplate to a greater degree in 2008-by a gap of 11 PP100-compared with 3 PP100 in 2007," said Sargent.
Assembly Plant Awards
The Mercedes-Benz assembly plant in Sindelfingen, Germany, receives the Platinum Plant Quality Award for producing vehicles yielding the fewest defects and malfunctions. Averaging just 33 PP100, the plant produces the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class, CLS-Class, E-Class Sedan, E-Class Wagon and S-Class. Plant awards are based solely on defect and malfunction counts.
Among North and South American plants, the Toyota plant in Baja California, Mexico, which produces the Toyota Tacoma, achieves the Gold Plant Quality Award.
In the Asia Pacific region, Toyota's Fujimatsu, Japan, plant, which produces the Toyota Prius, receives the Gold Plant Quality Award.
The 2008 Initial Quality Study is based on responses from more than 81,500 purchasers and lessees of new 2008 model-year cars and trucks surveyed after 90 days of ownership. The study is based on a 228-question battery designed to provide manufacturers with information to facilitate problem determination and drive product improvement. The study was fielded between February and April 2008.
Find more detailed findings on new-vehicle quality performance as well as model photos and specs by watching a video, reading an article and reviewing quality ratings at JDPower.com.
_opt_thumbnail.jpg)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
Soccer Mom 3:04PM (6/04/2008)
And Chrysler is leading the pack.
Reply
Kowell 3:09PM (6/04/2008)
Chrysler is #1 allright.... if you read the list upside down...
yacoub 3:12PM (6/04/2008)
...and were dropped on your head a few times as a child...
Leland Michaels 4:07PM (6/04/2008)
Yay, my Jeep wins... oh wait, that explains a lot.....
Pluton 4:31PM (6/04/2008)
Wither I am mad, I am, OR How can it possible that Acura be worse than Honda?
Soccer Mom 4:59PM (6/04/2008)
Initial quality depends to a great degree on the customer expectations of the vehicle. Naturally, people will expect a substantially more from Acura than from Honda, while the difference will not be that great, given that many of Acura models are just re-badged Hondas.
Xcountryflyer 4:52PM (6/04/2008)
I'm sure Tata is very happy to see Land Rover isn't anchoring the absolute bottom, just third from it.
Jepstr67 5:49PM (6/04/2008)
I own 11 Jeeps new and old. They are durable and long lasting. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. These are great cars for what they were designed for. Dead last in initial quality? please.....spare me
Tool 5:51PM (6/04/2008)
The most remarkable news is that Toyota division scores no #1's except the Sequoia. 10 years ago, Toyota mopped the frickin's floor in IQS.
P.S. I do recognize that Toyota is the #1 ranked volume nameplate, but it is a big thing that they didn't win a ton of trophies.
AJ 7:05PM (6/04/2008)
I've driven Jeeps before, too. I've also driven Porsches and Lexus. Trust me, this thing is right. Jeeps are unbelievably low quality. Drive a Jeep and you'll understand Jay Leno's recent "quality" comments very, very well.
Sure they're good for what they're made for: To be affordable and thrashed around.
But that doesn't change the fact that they're made out of awful materials.
tekdemon 12:36PM (6/05/2008)
Well, seeing as how Mini is apparently very close to being equally awful, but still has good sales I think Chrysler might still have some sales opportunities if they can just get a car that at least looks and feels good even if it continues to be abysmal in terms of reliability.
My friend's new Mini managed to kill his iPhone already because the iPod integration system power surged it into oblivion. So now he's afraid to plug in the replacement iPhone to listen to music/charge it...which is pretty sad for a brand new car. Something similar happened to me once with a store-bought belkin ipod charger, but at least I could replace the charger...his ipod integration is actually integrated into the Head Unit, and since the power surges are likely random it's not exactly easy to prove to MINI that their head unit fried his iPhone.
And yet I think he likes his MINI. Go figure.
Geeky1 3:08PM (6/04/2008)
Nice to see Mercedes up near the top again. Hopefully next year they'll topple Infiniti and Lexus. And hopefully their cars hold up in the long term better than their '97-06ish models have.
And damn, if Audi continues to improve, I may have to stop making fun of them. Fortunately VW is still down there near the bottom. >.> (I'm kidding. Mostly.)
Reply
User 7:34PM (6/04/2008)
Lexus is hellbent on being higher quality than Mercedes and BMW. I doubt Merc will top Lexus. Merc's customer base usually doesn't care as much about quality, anyways.. Merc's name is so well established. I see a TON of (not to be racist or anything, but) Asian people who drive Mercedes and when I ask them what they like about the car they can never specifically say. It's always something along the line of "it's a Mercedes Benz!"
I'm not saying they suck or anything... I heard the E-Class handles like a dream... I'm just saying that their brand is so well established that where they are at now is definitely well enough for them.
Lexus is mostly known for luxury and quality... Not performance. So they're going to do whatever it takes to be at the top of the list.
All this while Porsche strolls by flipping all the other brands off while making a 40-something% profit margin...
I was stunned to see Infinity up there. That makes me question this study. I've heard awful things about Infinity's quality from Infinity owners and from people who were considering Infinity.
icu812ru469 9:00PM (6/04/2008)
I agree with User overall about Asians, but I think it's more they don't want to buy a "jap" car. Most of the drivers are MB are older, who were affected by WW2 in some way, so they don't want to drive Japanese cars because of the things the Japanese did to China, Korea, etc. during WW2. Stupid, but it happens.
MB still stinks...
Geeky1 10:22PM (6/04/2008)
User: You might be right about Mercedes; I don't ask most of my customers why they buy their Mercedes, BMWs, or Lexus. I can tell you that on a personal level, coming from a family that's owned 13 Mercedes in the past 20 years (some old, some new, some bought used, others new; everything from a '67 250SE to an '87 300D, an '02 E55 and an '08 S600), quality is very important to me, and I find it distinctly lacking in most of their newer cars.
And as a Mercedes fanatic, I find it very disappointing, almost upsetting even. There was a time when Mercedes built the most reliable, durable cars in the world; when their quality was absolutely beyond question. It's not anymore. It hasn't been in over a decade. It would make me very happy to be able to recommend Mercedes to people without any reservations again; I haven't been able to do that since the W124, W201 and W126 chassis were discontinued (though some of the R129s and W140s were good), and I wish I could.
Simon 3:12PM (6/04/2008)
We bought a CRV two weeks ago and I must say we are very happy with it. It drives very nice. We almost bought the 2009 Escape 2.5 with the 6 speed but the interior packaging wasnt as creative as the CRV.
Reply
Benfolio 3:25PM (6/04/2008)
I had a '06 and loved it but horrible dealer experiances ruined it for me. And Yes, I tried two different dealers, one near home and one near work.
Jarett Schneider 3:12PM (6/04/2008)
I am very surprized with how well Hyundai is doing. However they used to be 3# in 2006. Now #12. I'm hoping they stay high because I want to buy one of those Elantra Touring's for 2009.
Reply
Velvetsmack 3:23PM (6/04/2008)
What's more important is to compare whether the PP100 numbers have significantly changed from 2006 to now (I haven't checked). They may have continued to increase the quality even though they've ranked lower to other manufactures, which resonates better to me.
jsjs 9:09PM (6/04/2008)
The difference of 4 problems per 100 vehicles btwn Honda, Ford, Chevy and Hyundai is pretty much IMMATERIAL.
As for Audi - prior to this, they have had a history of low scores, but kudos to them for changing things around.
Mercedes also seems to have turned things around after a rough period (granted, this is IQS and not long-term quality scores) - and it seems that BMW after years of besting Mercedes and Audi has become complacent.
As for interiors, BMW (esp. on the entry-lux vehicles) and Mercedes could do better w/ quality of materials, etc.