Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Lexus leads, Hyundai improves, while Infiniti drops in J.D. Power 2009 Initial Quality Study]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/22/lexus-leads-hyundai-improves-while-infiniti-drops-in-j-d-powe/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/22/lexus-leads-hyundai-improves-while-infiniti-drops-in-j-d-powe/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/22/lexus-leads-hyundai-improves-while-infiniti-drops-in-j-d-powe/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,


Click above for a gallery of the graphtastic images from J.D. Power and Associates

J.D. Power and Associates has released its 2009 Initial Quality Study (IQS) and Lexus has taken the top spot away from Porsche, the initial quality leader for the past three years. The annual J.D. Power study measures IQS based on problems reported per 100 vehicles (PP100) -- a lower score means a lower rate of problem incidences and higher quality.

This year, the industry average is 108 PP100, demonstrating a steady improvement from 118 PP100 in 2008, and 125 PP100 in 2007. In addition to the marked improvement by the industry overall, many brands continued to perform well in 2009. Following Lexus and Porsche is Cadillac (which moves from 10th rank position in 2008 to third in 2009), Hyundai (jumping from 13th rank position in 2008 to 4th in 2009) and Honda (up from 7th in 2008 to 5th in 2009). Infiniti, second in last year's study, drops to 11th overall, while Suzuki posts the largest improvement in ranking, moving from 32nd place in 2008 to 9th in 2009. The complete J.D. Power press release and charts can be found after the jump and in the gallery below.


Gallery: 2009 J.D. Power IQS Results



[Source: J.D. Power and Associates]

Continue reading Lexus leads, Hyundai improves, while Infiniti drops in J.D. Power 2009 Initial Quality Study

Lexus leads, Hyundai improves, while Infiniti drops in J.D. Power 2009 Initial Quality Study originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingCadillacInitial QualityInitial Quality StudyInitialQualityInitialQualityStudyIQSJ.D. PowerJ.D. Power and AssociatesJ.d.PowerJ.d.PowerAndAssociatesJDPALexusPorscheQuality RankingQualityRankingMon, 22 Jun 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Toyota responds to Ford's new initial quality ads]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/12/toyota-responds-to-fords-new-quality-claims/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/12/toyota-responds-to-fords-new-quality-claims/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/12/toyota-responds-to-fords-new-quality-claims/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Anybody who has watched more than 30 minutes of television the past couple weeks has likely seen Ford's new ads claiming that the automaker has caught up to Toyota and Honda with regards to initial quality. Toyota certainly has, and it apparently doesn't like the Blue Oval's boastful tone. On Toyota's Open Road blog, Mike Michels seems taken aback at the claim, stating that the initial quality survey Ford cites was commissioned by the automaker and performed by a third-party company not affiliated with the well-known J.D. Power & Associates. He then spends a few paragraphs discrediting initial quality in the first place, citing J.D. Power figures that show the difference between the best and worst vehicles during the first few months of ownership were a mere .8 problems per vehicle. Of those problems, most of them were customer preferences and not actual issues that needed repair.

While we agree that initial quality is far from the complete quality story, it's incredible that Toyota would discredit a stat that has been a pillar of its own high quality image. The Toyota and Lexus brands have been among the leaders in initial quality for ages, which anyone would say is a result of great design, engineering and manufacturing. But now that other automakers are catching up, it seems Toyota wants to label initial quality as insignificant. Either way, we'll just have to wait another 3-5 years to find out if a Ford Fusion built today holds up as well as a Toyota Camry.

[Source: Toyota]

Toyota responds to Ford's new initial quality ads originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 May 2008 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Fordford quality adsFordQualityAdsInitial qualityInitialQualityJD PowersJdPowersToyotaToyota blogtoyota ford initial qualityToyotaBlogToyotaFordInitialQualityMon, 12 May 2008 09:27:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Maxiumum Bob Lutz answers questions about GM's reliability]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/28/video-maxiumum-bob-lutz-answers-questions-about-gms-reliabilit/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/28/video-maxiumum-bob-lutz-answers-questions-about-gms-reliabilit/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/28/video-maxiumum-bob-lutz-answers-questions-about-gms-reliabilit/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

The General's chief product guru, Bob Lutz, responded to questions regarding GM's reliability in the company's FastLane Blog's most recent video Q&A chapter. According to Lutz, who cites comparisons to company "H" and company "T" as being perpetual reliability yardsticks, GM has aimed at making every component throughout the automaker's brands "bulletproof," including the engines, transmissions and every mechanical part imaginable.

The move began about four or five years ago, and despite high ratings in J.D. Power and Associates initial quality reports, Lutz explains that all the money spent was in an effort to "shoot for infinite life," as opposed to what Lutz calls, "100,000-mile bogies."

Lutz goes on to recount his aim of making Buick the American equivalent of Lexus, which was just confirmed with the recent release of J.D. Power and Associates long-term reliability ratings. Buick sat pretty, right next to Lexus. Mission accomplished Bob. Congrats.

[Source: GM FastLane Blog]

Continue reading VIDEO: Maxiumum Bob Lutz answers questions about GM's reliability

VIDEO: Maxiumum Bob Lutz answers questions about GM's reliability originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Aug 2007 16:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bob lutzBobLutzexpire-images:2008-8-27general motorsGeneralMotorsgminitial qualityInitialQualityj.d. power and associatesJ.d.PowerAndAssociatesreliabilityTue, 28 Aug 2007 16:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Has vehicle quality reached its peak?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/03/has-vehicle-quality-reached-its-peak/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/03/has-vehicle-quality-reached-its-peak/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/03/has-vehicle-quality-reached-its-peak/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Are the current crop of vehicles, from compact cars to the largest SUVs and trucks, the best consumers can expect from automakers? That is the question posed (and answered) in the latest Consumer Reports (CR) according to James Healey of USA Today. (Pictured is CR's 'Fun to Drive' top pick, the Subaru Impreza WRX/STi.)

[More information after the jump.]

Continue reading Has vehicle quality reached its peak?

Has vehicle quality reached its peak? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Mar 2006 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Consumer ReportsConsumerReportsInitial QualityInitialQualityJD POwerJdPowerQualityVehicle ReliabilityVehicleReliabilityFri, 03 Mar 2006 11:00:00 EST