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Kia is a long way from hawking the anonymous lozenge known as the Sephia on our shores. That was only 1994, though, and in less than 20 years the company has gone from judging its aspirations against Japanese budget competition to walking auto show floors checking out the German standard-bearers for tips on how to increase sales and brand prestige. In an interview with Automotive News, Kia executives laid out their plan for carving out a Volkswagen-like niche for the company whereby they could be viewed as the premium pick in a volume segment. Concepts like the Kia Cub, above, would seem to point in this direction.

Kia is keen to make sure its sales targets don't impinge on its quest for better and better quality.

Kia's prime directive is "an unrelenting focus on quality." The Japanese brands earned a reputation for bulletproof reliability, and Kia is keen to make sure its sales targets don't impinge on its quest for better and better quality - neither in-house nor for its suppliers, a trade-off we've seen go wrong before. It has a Pilot Center that studies each new model for potential production problems before being given the approval for manufacture, and it isn't until the quality control department gives the okay that manufacture can begin.

Assuming quality is assured, the second part of the mission is to develop cars with powertrains that provide "performance-oriented technology." That means putting its small turbo engines in more of its model line, like the new Forte getting the 1.6-liter, direct-injected turbo, more hybrids options among current nameplates and a plug-in hybrid, and bringing dual-clutch gearboxes to the US by 2015.

Beyond the keeping an eye on quality, though, Kia has to keep an eye on the South Korean won. Its plants are now at capacity, it wants to sell 800,000 more vehicles in 2016 than it did in 2012, but the rising value of the South Korean currency means it would need to look at removing content in order to maintain profits. AN said the company will get by right now by trimming the R&D budget and putting more expensive trim packages in the range, but that if that isn't enough it might have to shorten the list of standard features. It's looking at features that customers don't care about, but if it came to that, taking items out would take Kia in the opposite direction of its market segment.

Kia using quality and technology to increase sales and brand prestige originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Apr 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hybridkiaqualityThu, 11 Apr 2013 18:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20532829/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/11/kia-using-quality-and-technology-to-increase-sales-and-brand-pre/20532829/article-detail.xml 20532829 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/kia-cub-benchmark_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/kia-cub-benchmark.jpg <![CDATA[Lexus, Mazda and Subaru top <i>Consumer Reports</i> Brand Report Cards]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/26/lexus-mazda-and-subaru-top-consumer-reports-brand-report/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/26/lexus-mazda-and-subaru-top-consumer-reports-brand-report/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/26/lexus-mazda-and-subaru-top-consumer-reports-brand-report/#commentsFiled under: , ,



A revised methodology in devising its annual Car Brand Report Cards has seen Consumer Reports award Lexus its top overall ranking for 2013. For the first time ever, the institute broke out individual brands from their larger corporate umbrellas, meaning car makers like Lexus and Scion were judged independently from parent company Toyota. That strategy worked out well for Lexus, as the luxury brand earned a top report card score of 79 for the 2013 model year.

The institute has recommended every one of the Lexus models it has tested to date, and said that the company's products won out thanks to "a foundation of plush and very reliable vehicles."

Meanwhile, Mazda and Subaru tied for the second-highest scoring report cars, with scores of 76. Subaru earned praised for sporting models like the BRZ, which CR testers apparently had a lot of fun driving (naturally), while the Mazda products were lauded for their blend of practicality, sportiness and efficiency. Both of the Japanese brands offered good handling, fuel economy and versatility, said Consumer Reports.

The institute has recommended every one of the Lexus models it has tested to date.

Acura and Toyota rounded out the top five with twin scores of 74 points. A full eight out of the top ten best brands were Japanese companies, with Audi (eighth place) and Mercedes-Benz (tenth place) the only European companies with high-ranking scores. CR noted that those Euro brands were inconsistent this year, with Volkswagen losing ground and Mini doing the worst overall of the European brands, at 20 out of 26 overall.

Domestic automakers didn't do particularly well, either. Cadillac was at the tops of the General Motors portfolio, but was still held back by just average reliability and no love at CR for "complicated CUE controls," a complaint we've heard before. Ford and Lincoln were also dinged for their infotainment systems and reliability, as well as for EcoBoost engines that didn't deliver on promised fuel economy ratings. Chrysler brands were the worst off, however, with just the Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee V6 and Chrysler 300 V6 being recommended by the publication. Scroll down for the full list of Brand Report Card scores, as well as the Consumer Reports press release, or head over to CR's website to read the full feature and find out the granular info behind each of the brands.

Continue reading Lexus, Mazda and Subaru top Consumer Reports Brand Report Cards

Lexus, Mazda and Subaru top Consumer Reports Brand Report Cards originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Feb 2013 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto qualitybrand report cardscar qualityconsumer reportsconsumer reports 2013 brand report cardslexusmazdaqualitysubaruTue, 26 Feb 2013 14:15:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20479156/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/26/lexus-mazda-and-subaru-top-consumer-reports-brand-report/20479156/article-detail.xml 20479156 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/2013-lexus-gs350-f-sport-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/2013-lexus-gs350-f-sport-628.jpg <![CDATA[Volkswagen again named tops in Total Quality survey by Strategic Vision]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/30/volkswagen-again-named-tops-in-total-quality-survey-by-strategic/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/30/volkswagen-again-named-tops-in-total-quality-survey-by-strategic/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/30/volkswagen-again-named-tops-in-total-quality-survey-by-strategic/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Strategic Quality Award

Global marketing and communications firm Strategic Vision has announced the results of its annual Total Quality Index. In the 2012 edition of the study, Volkswagen Group of America achieved the highest rating in Total Quality. This marks the German automaker's second year of achieving the accolade. According to the press release from Strategic Vision, the runner up spot was actually a tie between Chrysler Group and Ford Motor Company.

Strategic Vision factored in vehicles like the Audi A4 and A8, as well as notable VW vehicles like the Golf, Eos, and Tiguan in its study. The study also pointed to the quality of vehicles like the Flex, F-150, as well as the Fiat 500 for such a tight finish between Ford and Chrysler.

Toyota came out with the fewest reported problems of any brand. According to the study, only 17% of Toyota owners reported having problems.

Strategic vision says this was its closest finish in "Total Quality" that it has ever reported. According to the release, "Customers are increasingly defining 'quality' holistically and using Total Quality in their decisions." In assessing the Total Quality Awards, Strategic Vision calculated the results from surveys sent out to 45,390 individuals who purchased new 2012 model year vehicles from September to December of 2011. Scroll down below for the press release.

Continue reading Volkswagen again named tops in Total Quality survey by Strategic Vision

Volkswagen again named tops in Total Quality survey by Strategic Vision originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Aug 2012 16:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Why No One Quality Report Tells The Whole Story

Auto mechanic turning a wrench under a vehicle

Quality remains one of the most significant factors for folks buying a new car.

There's no question that fuel economy has become a critical consideration for most folks looking to buy a new car. But quality remains one of the single most significant factors in closing the deal.

Once upon a time, word of mouth was the only way to differentiate between one brand and another, an important yet oftentimes unreliable approach. Then, back in the 1970s, a one-time Ford analyst by the name of J. David Power revolutionized the industry with his first quantitative studies of vehicle quality and reliability. Today, J.D. Power and Associates is the quality field heavyweight, with all sorts of wannabes chasing for a piece of its multi-million-dollar consulting business.

Earlier this month, Power released its 26th annual Initial Quality Study, perhaps the single-most widely quoted survey of its kind, which tallies up the results of a lengthy questionnaire filled out by tens of thousands of recent vehicle buyers. To understand the significance of the IQS, consider that Ford held a separate news conference a day earlier to address the likelihood of its downward slide in the survey. Makers who did well blitzed the media with news releases trumpeting their performance.

Paul EisensteinPaul A. Eisenstein is Publisher of TheDetroitBureau.com and a 30-year veteran of the automotive beat. His editorials bring his unique perspective and deep understanding of the auto world to Autoblog readers on a regular basis.

Continue reading What's the right way to read an automotive quality report?

What's the right way to read an automotive quality report? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Technology can be a fickle thing for automotive companies. Done right, tech can help sell cars. Done badly, and tech can sink a whole company's image.

Ford is battling just that problem. Its Sync tech has certainly contributed to healthy sales recently, but customers started to complain with the buggy advent of the MyFord Touch and MyLincoln Touch systems.

An update for the system back in March promised to fix the annoying restarts, the slow responses and the underwhelming voice control. The user interface also got cleaner, easier to read menus and iPad compatibility was improved.

Unfortunately, Ford is now saying the improvements probably came too late to be reflected in the J.D. Power quality survey to be announced today.

"We'll be about the same or slightly better," Bennie Fowler, Ford's group vice president of global quality, told Automotive News Tuesday. "The dramatic improvement we're expecting will come in the third quarter..."

Ford fell from fifth place to 23rd place in last year's new-car quality survey. At least part of the reason, if not most, was due to customer dissatisfaction with the two Touch systems. That ranked Ford and Lincoln below the industry average for the number of problems per new vehicle.

Consumer Reports told Automotive News that since the Touch upgrades, complaints about Ford products are down. The magazine's auto-test chief David Champion says "Ford's basic quality remains good."

Ford tempers expectations of improvement in J.D. Power quality survey originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Jun 2012 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fordinitial quality studyinitial quality surveyj.d. powerlincolnmyford touchmylincoln touchmytouchnavigationqualityquality surveysyncWed, 20 Jun 2012 13:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20262522/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/06/20/ford-tempers-expectations-of-improvement-in-j-d-power-quality-s/20262522/article-detail.xml 20262522 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/01-myford-touch-2013-update-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/01-myford-touch-2013-update-628.jpg <![CDATA[Ford, Hyundai show largest increase in perceived quality, Honda tops]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/11/ford-hyundai-show-largest-increase-in-perceived-quality-honda/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/11/ford-hyundai-show-largest-increase-in-perceived-quality-honda/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/11/ford-hyundai-show-largest-increase-in-perceived-quality-honda/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Micrometer calipers - closeupALG reports both Ford and Hyundai have seen substantial jumps in their respective perceived quality, with the Blue Oval enjoying a 37 percent jump since 2008. Hyundai, meanwhile, has seen its figures increase by 25 percent over the same five years. For industry watchers, the news should offer no real shock. Both manufacturers have been on a new-product warpath, offering models laden with fresh design, efficient drivetrain options and plenty of technology while steadily increasing quality. The increase has been enough to push Ford to fourth on the list of brands with the highest perceived quality with a score of 70.5. That score puts Ford just behind Subaru with a score of 71.1.

Ford and Hyundai may have had strong showings, but Honda has snagged top honors among mainstream brands with an 81.3 perceived quality score, followed by Toyota with 80.1. Lexus walked away with the highest rank among luxury brands, followed by Mercedes-Benz and BMW. Cadillac, Lincoln and Jaguar, meanwhile, all fell below the luxury average of 71.2 points.

ALG's Perceived Quality Study surveys more than 3,000 U.S. consumers on a semi-annual basis. Check out the full press release for yourself by scrolling down or read the complete report here.

Continue reading Ford, Hyundai show largest increase in perceived quality, Honda tops

Ford, Hyundai show largest increase in perceived quality, Honda tops originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Jun 2012 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>algautomotive lease guidefordford qualityhondahonda qualityhyundaihyundai qualityperceived quality scorequalityMon, 11 Jun 2012 14:15:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20255653/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/06/11/ford-hyundai-show-largest-increase-in-perceived-quality-honda/20255653/article-detail.xml 20255653 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/micrometer-quality_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/micrometer-quality.jpg <![CDATA[J.D. Power reports vehicle dependability has substantially improved]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/16/jd-power-reports-vehicle-dependability-has-substantially-improve/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/16/jd-power-reports-vehicle-dependability-has-substantially-improve/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/16/jd-power-reports-vehicle-dependability-has-substantially-improve/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

2010 Lexus LS460 Sport

Remember the days of planned obsolescence? They're over. The latest J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study shows a 13-percent improvement in new car dependability over the first three years of ownership. The latest sample of 2009 model year vehicles shows the lowest rate of problems since the study's inception in 1990.

The big winner was the Lexus LS, which had the fewest reported problems in the study. Lexus was the highest rated brand as well, followed by Porsche, Cadillac, Toyota and Scion. J.D. Power says 25 of 32 automotive brands showed improved dependability, with six declining and one remaining the same.

While J.D. Power was pleased to see automakers producing high quality cars despite the economic disaster unfolding around them three years ago, it did note that some brands are still not getting credit for building reliable vehicles. "During the past four years, models from Buick, Cadillac, Ford, Hyundai and Lincoln have achieved consistently strong levels of dependability," the company's release stated, "but still have relatively high proportions of new-vehicle buyers expressing reliability concerns."

To read the full press release, click past the jump.

Continue reading J.D. Power reports vehicle dependability has substantially improved

J.D. Power reports vehicle dependability has substantially improved originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cadillacj.d. powerj.d. power vehicle dependability studyjd powerJD Power Vehicle Dependability Studylexusporschequalitysciontoyotavehicle dependabilityvehicle dependability studyThu, 16 Feb 2012 14:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20172680/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/02/16/jd-power-reports-vehicle-dependability-has-substantially-improve/20172680/article-detail.xml 20172680 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/2010-lexus-ls460-sport-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/2010-lexus-ls460-sport-opt.jpg <![CDATA[J.D. Power: More car buyers base purchases on brand reputation than ratings and reviews]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/27/j-d-power-more-car-buyers-base-purchases-on-brand-reputation-t/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/27/j-d-power-more-car-buyers-base-purchases-on-brand-reputation-t/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/27/j-d-power-more-car-buyers-base-purchases-on-brand-reputation-t/#commentsFiled under: ,

Yugo

Reputation is everything, according to a new survey by J.D. Power and Associates. The 2012 Avoider Study found that 43 percent of buyers who steer clear of a particular model due to quality concerns do so merely because of common knowledge. Ratings and reviews - our stock in trade - were cited by 38 percent, while previous ownership of a model caused scorn in only 14 percent of respondents.

"The fact that so many new-vehicle buyers may be basing their opinions about quality and reliability on pre-conceived [sic] notions, rather than concrete information or data, demonstrates how important it is for automakers to promote the quality and reliability of their models," said Jon Osborn, research director at J.D. Power and Associates, in what reads like a nakedly self-serving press release.

Other interesting data from the survey included an all-time high for xenophobia, with respondents who avoided import models because of their origin rising to 14 percent, the highest in the nine years of the study. Buyers avoiding domestics for the same reason dropped to six percent, the lowest in the study's history.

The most influential reason for purchasing a specific model in 2012 was fuel economy, trumping reliability, "the deal," and exterior styling, which were tops in 2010.

To read the entire press release, click past the jump.

Continue reading J.D. Power: More car buyers base purchases on brand reputation than ratings and reviews

J.D. Power: More car buyers base purchases on brand reputation than ratings and reviews originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 avoider studyavoider studyj.d. powerj.d. power and associatesjd powerqualityquality reputationreputationFri, 27 Jan 2012 09:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20157884/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/27/j-d-power-more-car-buyers-base-purchases-on-brand-reputation-t/20157884/article-detail.xml 20157884 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/yugo-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/yugo-opt.jpg <![CDATA[<i>Car and Driver</i> calls out J.D. Power IQS]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/05/car-and-driver-calls-out-j-d-power-iqs/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/05/car-and-driver-calls-out-j-d-power-iqs/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/05/car-and-driver-calls-out-j-d-power-iqs/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2012 Ford Explorer

Ford has taken it on the chin from J.D. Power since the carmaker rolled out its new MyFord Touch system in the 2011 Explorer. Ford's ranking in the influential Initial Quality Survey dropped from fifth last year all the way down to 23rd, in large measure because of customer dissatisfaction with the new technology and its voice recognition interface, but also because of refinement complaints about the PowerShift dual-clutch transmission in the Fiesta. But unlike, say, the Houston Cougars, who plummeted in the Bowl Championship Series rankings after getting blown out in the Conference USA title game this weekend, Ford can make a pretty good case that it's getting jobbed.

The traditional definition of quality when it comes to new cars and trucks has been based on those vehicles being free of defects. But in the last few years, the tide has been turning, in large measure because J.D. Power is increasingly weighing customer complaints related to design and, in particular, new electronic technology. Car and Driver paints the complaints that have dogged Ford among the latter, suggesting that these are less valid quality metrics than something like a poorly assembled door panel.

The venerable buff book doesn't stop at defending Ford, however, cautioning against what it sees as a trend "toward the lowest-common-denominator solutions to reduce design 'problems.'" Citing examples like BMW moving its cruise control from a separate stalk to buttons on the steering wheel to appease whining customers and Porsche getting dinged on IQS for using brake pads that generate too much dust, C/D doesn't say it outright, but certainly implies that J.D. Power is no longer pushing automakers in the right direction.

Car and Driver calls out J.D. Power IQS originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Dec 2011 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apealapeal studycar and driverexplorerfiestafordinitial quality studyiqsj.d. powerjd powermyford touchmylincoln touchpowershiftqualityMon, 05 Dec 2011 13:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20120747/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/05/car-and-driver-calls-out-j-d-power-iqs/20120747/article-detail.xml 20120747 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/2012-ford-explorer-ecoboost-fd-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/2012-ford-explorer-ecoboost-fd-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Nissan rushes to grapple with poor quality survey scores]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/10/nissan-rushes-to-grapple-with-poor-quality-survey-scores/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/10/nissan-rushes-to-grapple-with-poor-quality-survey-scores/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/10/nissan-rushes-to-grapple-with-poor-quality-survey-scores/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Nissan Juke plant

While Nissan has never enjoyed the same stellar reputation for quality as its Japanese compatriots at Toyota and Honda, it has lately found itself in danger of acquiring the opposite rep. Nissan's performance on influential J.D. Power quality and dependability studies has been below average lately, as many of its rivals have improved. Nissan will be launching a new quality plan in November, but Automotive News has the scoop today.

The most immediate change in Nissan's quality approach is a shoot-the-messenger measure requiring dealers to present car buyers with a two-page quick-reference guide that's part of 2012 owner manuals. The manual insert will seek to address some of the common threads that have cropped up in J.D. Power survey results. Nissan will also be addressing some of the most frequent customer complaints, like poor shift quality from its new seven-speed automatic transmissions used in Infiniti products. Nissan tells AN that it is already upgrading the software in the transmissions.

While that's a start, Nissan has a long way to go to hit its stated goal of having both Nissan and Infiniti brands in J.D. Power's top three in their respective categories by 2016. Nissan ranked just 24th in the Initial Quality Survey released in June, and managed only 25th in the Vehicle Dependability Survey, according to AN.

Other issues that have bothered Nissan customers include difficulties with HVAC controls, confusing rear wiper controls, and using hands-free phone systems. Kazumasa Katoh, Senior Vice President of Global Quality, said that these kinds of customer complaints are the result of Nissan customers' embrace of new technology, which can be complicated.

We've heard this line rather often, ever since Mercedes-Benz saw its J.D. Power scores plummet almost a decade ago. Yet automakers seem to continue to struggle in designing in-car systems that are simple and intuitive. Earlier this year, Ford's MyFord Touch system led Consumer Reports to pull its coveted Recommended rating from the 2011 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX.

Nissan rushes to grapple with poor quality survey scores originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Oct 2011 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Quality studies can be funny things in the auto business. It's not unusual to have one completely contradict another, which can result in an automaker that was panned as a loser in one study claiming to be a leader based on another. That's exactly what Volkswagen and Ford get to do thanks to Strategic Vision's 2011 Total Quality Index.

Back in June, J.D. Power released its annual Initial Quality report, which ranks vehicles and their brands based on how many problems are reported per 100 vehicles. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Volkswagen ranked near the bottom as per usual, but Ford was also smacked down from 5th to 23rd place thanks to owner complaints about the automaker's complex SYNC/MyFordTouch technologies and Powershift dual-clutch gearbox issues.

Well J.D. Power, Strategic Vision thinks your definition of "quality" is terrible, and they believe that their Total Quality Index, which they say measures not just individual problems, but also the "total positive experience created for the owner/driver," is the way to go.

On those grounds, Volkswagen was rated the best full-line automaker in Strategic Vision's 2011 Total Quality study, which surveys 37,069 buyers who bought 2011 models late last year. Owners rated Design and Exterior Styling as the most impressive things about their VWs.

Ford, meanwhile, which suffered so harshly at the hands of J.D. Power's problem-counting study, comes up roses here, tying for second place with Honda and Nissan. Strategic Vision does say that Ford owners reported more problems than the industry average, but its designs and brand strength helped it overcome those issues to create an overall positive experience for owners.

Follow the jump for Strategic Vision's full report, which also shows the best-ranked vehicles in each segment - including surprisingly positive results for Chrysler, Jaguar and Land Rover.

Continue reading Strategic Vision disses J.D. Power, crowns VW and Ford quality leaders

Strategic Vision disses J.D. Power, crowns VW and Ford quality leaders originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20112011 strategic vision total quality indexauto qualitycar qualityfordqualitystrategic visiontotal quality indexvolkswagenWed, 13 Jul 2011 15:32:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19990428/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/07/13/strategic-vision-disses-j-d-power-crowns-vw-and-ford-quality-l/19990428/article-detail.xml 19990428 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/vw-logo-handheld-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/vw-logo-handheld-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Mulally facing pressure to fix Ford tech and quality glitches]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/03/mulally-facing-pressure-to-fix-ford-fix-tech-and-quality-glitche/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/03/mulally-facing-pressure-to-fix-ford-fix-tech-and-quality-glitche/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/03/mulally-facing-pressure-to-fix-ford-fix-tech-and-quality-glitche/#commentsFiled under: , ,

myford touch ford edge

Ford has had its share of quality issues with its fledgling MyFord Touch technology, and watchdogs like Consumer Reports and J.D. Power have taken notice. Bloomberg reports that Ford CEO Alan Mulally is all too aware of the automaker's latest technology glitches, saying, "We've had just a few issues with some technologies associated with Sync and MyFord Touch."

The "just a few issues" Mulally is referring to include reports of touchscreens blacking out, general complaints about a steep learning curve and a recent crossover ranking by Consumer Reports that placed the 2011 Explorer 17th out of 19 vehicles tested due in large part to the tech. CR also dropped the coveted "Recommended" nod for the 2011 Edge because of MyFord Touch.

Mulally's recent statements come just before the release of J.D. Power's June 23 new car quality report. J.D. Power's VP Dave Sargent claims the automaker's own data shows that quality has taken a hit, adding that Ford is "making an early warning to the market that this may be a problem." There is no telling how car buyers would react to Ford slipping a bit in the rankings, but the company's stellar performance in the study over the past few years has likely been a major reason why the Blue Oval managed to re-pass Toyota on the sales charts.

Ford isn't taking the potential quality issues lightly, recently spending $100 million to deploy laser-guided robots in 17 factories to help reduce wind noise in its automobiles. The robots will enable Ford to install doors to within one tenth of one millimeter of specification. The automaker is also working hard to stay on top of quality even as it continues the torrid pace of new vehicle launches.

Mulally facing pressure to fix Ford tech and quality glitches originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Jun 2011 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>consumer reportsedgeexplorerfordj.d. powermyford touchqualitysyncFri, 03 Jun 2011 09:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19957038/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/06/03/mulally-facing-pressure-to-fix-ford-fix-tech-and-quality-glitche/19957038/article-detail.xml 19957038 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/11myfordtouch01-630op_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/11myfordtouch01-630op.jpg <![CDATA[J.D. Power 2010 Initial Quality Study released, first time ever domestics lead imports]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/17/jd-power-2010-initial-quality-study-domestics-lead-imports/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/17/jd-power-2010-initial-quality-study-domestics-lead-imports/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/17/jd-power-2010-initial-quality-study-domestics-lead-imports/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

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

J.D. Power and Associates has released its 2010 Initial Quality Study (IQS) and Porsche has earned back the top spot that was occupied by Lexus in last year's study. 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.

Domestic brands, as a whole, demonstrated higher initial quality than import brands for the first time in an IQS (impressive, as the company has been conducting the study for 24 years). "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." According to J.D. Power, the industry average for initial quality is 109 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) in 2010 (that is a slight increase from 108 PP100 in 2009). However, initial quality for domestic brands as a whole has improved to an average of 108 PP100, slightly better than the initial quality of import brands, which average 109 PP100 in 2010.

Acura made an impressive improvement in the 2010 study. The automaker climbed from 111 PP100 in 2009 to just 86 PP100 in 2010, earning second spot just under Porsche (83 PP100). Mercedes-Benz (87 PP100) earned third position with Lexus (88 PP100) immediately following. Ford (93 PP100) and Lincoln (106 PP100) also earned Top 10 positions. Interestingly enough, Toyota (117 PP100) fell from its seventh position in 2009 to 21st in the 2010 study. The complete J.D. Power press release and charts can be found after the jump and in the gallery below.


Gallery: 2010 J.D. Power and Associates IQS


[Source: J.D. Power and Associates]

Continue reading J.D. Power 2010 Initial Quality Study released, first time ever domestics lead imports

J.D. Power 2010 Initial Quality Study released, first time ever domestics lead imports originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Jun 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 IQS2010IqsAcuraFordInitial Quality StudyInitial Quality Study 2010InitialQualityStudyInitialQualityStudy2010intial qualityIntialQualityIQSj.d. powerj.d. power and assoc...J.D. Power ratingsJ.D. Power SurveyJ.d.PowerJ.d.PowerAndAssoc...J.d.PowerRatingsJ.d.PowerSurveyjd powerjd power 2010 initial quality studyjd power initial quality studyJDPAJdPowerJdPower2010InitialQualityStudyJdPowerInitialQualityStudyLincolnMercedes-BenzPorschequalityreliabilityToyotaThu, 17 Jun 2010 13:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19519684/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/06/17/jd-power-2010-initial-quality-study-domestics-lead-imports/19519684/article-detail.xml 19519684 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/2010iqslead2_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/2010iqslead2.jpg <![CDATA[Video: Hastily made homebrewed Toyota recall commercial parody]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/11/video-hastily-made-homebrewed-toyota-recall-commercial-parody/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/11/video-hastily-made-homebrewed-toyota-recall-commercial-parody/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/11/video-hastily-made-homebrewed-toyota-recall-commercial-parody/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Click above to watch the video after the jump

You know you've hit a certain level of notoriety (for better or worse) when hacks with video editing software and a sense of humor post a video on YouTube that pokes fun at you or your situation and people actually watch. Toyota's recall of over 8 million vehicles for throttle, floor mat and brake issues has spent so much time in the headlines that the Japanese automaker appears to be at that dubious juncture.

Saturday Night Live and The Daily Show have taken their cracks at Toyota, but they're professionals and they make fun of everybody. Beyond the jump is something different. It's definitely not professional and the quality of production just isn't up to par, but it does have one thing that helps it stand out: It's funny. Hit the jump to watch the video for yourself.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Hastily made homebrewed Toyota recall commercial parody

Video: Hastily made homebrewed Toyota recall commercial parody originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Feb 2010 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>qualityspoof videoSpoofVideotoyotatoyota recalltoyota spoof videoToyotaRecallToyotaSpoofVideoyoutubeThu, 11 Feb 2010 15:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19349891/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/02/11/video-hastily-made-homebrewed-toyota-recall-commercial-parody/19349891/article-detail.xml 19349891 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/hastily-made-toyota-recall-screencap_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/hastily-made-toyota-recall-screencap.jpg <![CDATA[<i>Detroit Free Press</i>: Toyota led all automakers with most recalled vehicles in 2009 <i>*UPDATED</i>]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/30/detroit-free-press-toyota-lead-all-automakers-with-most/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/30/detroit-free-press-toyota-lead-all-automakers-with-most/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/30/detroit-free-press-toyota-lead-all-automakers-with-most/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


2009 has seen a bumper crop of automobile recalls. The Detroit Free Press reports that there were 15.2 million units recalled this year - nearly double the 8.6 million vehicles that were called back in all of 2008. And the leader of the recall pack was Toyota, with a knee-wobbling 4.87 million cars and trucks recalled due mostly to the Japanese automaker's unintended acceleration issue. Toyota had nine major recalls in all in 2009, with the other big issue coming courtesy of rusting Tundra frames. Toyota took the top spot in recalls for the first time ever this year, which tells you as much about how bad 2009 was for Aichi, Japan-based automaker as it does about its history of making high-quality automobiles.

This year's second biggest offender? Ford Motor Company. The Blue Oval recalled 4.52 million vehicles to land in second place in the recall rankings, due mainly to the company's ongoing issue with cruise control modules. Without the years-old cruise control issue, Ford would have had posted best year ever. General Motors rounded out the top three, with 2.24 million recalls announced in 2009, thought it is worth noting that the Detroit, MI-based automaker's 17 total recalls was the most of any automaker. Chrysler actually had a good 2009 - at least when it comes to recalls - with just under 600,000 vehicles affected. Head over to the Detroit Free Press for the complete ranking of 2009 recalls by automaker.

*UPDATE: In related global news, Toyota is recalling 43,000 Chinese-market vehicles including its Highlander and Previa models, along with Lexus' ES350 and RX350. The culprit? Engine oil leaks.


Gallery: 2010 Toyota Lineup


Gallery: 2010 Lexus Lineup


Gallery: 2010 Scion Lineup


[Sources: Detroit Free Press; Zachs Investment Research (via Yahoo)

Detroit Free Press: Toyota led all automakers with most recalled vehicles in 2009 *UPDATED originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Dec 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingbreakingnewschryslerfordmost recallsMostRecallsnhtsaqualityrecallrecallstoyotatundratundra frame rustTundraFrameRustunintended accelerationUnintendedAccelerationWed, 30 Dec 2009 11:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19298146/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/12/30/detroit-free-press-toyota-lead-all-automakers-with-most/19298146/article-detail.xml 19298146 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/lexus-gaspedal-main-page_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/lexus-gaspedal-main-page.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota reverses decision, chooses to again seek quality over market share]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/11/toyota-reverses-decision-chooses-to-again-seek-quality-over-mar/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/11/toyota-reverses-decision-chooses-to-again-seek-quality-over-mar/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/11/toyota-reverses-decision-chooses-to-again-seek-quality-over-mar/#commentsFiled under: , ,

It was back in 2002 when Fujio Cho, then-President of Toyota Motor Corp., set the company's goal of achieving a 15 percent share of the global automotive market sometime after 2010. Seven years ago, it didn't seem much of a stretch as the automaker had already captured 10.7 percent, and the seemingly-unstoppable company was rapidly growing.

While the Japanese automaker's train hasn't completely derailed, the self-imposed deadline looms and Toyota is reeling through a global slump that has served the company its first loss in decades. With market share taking a back seat to survival, current Toyota President Akio Toyoda (right) has dumped Cho's goal in favor of a back-to-basics focus on quality. And, nobody needs to point out that the automaker's latest forecast represents a production decline of nearly one million units compared to last year. An anonymous company executive summed the new president's directive up in just seven words: "Our president doesn't like figures or documents."

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Toyota reverses decision, chooses to again seek quality over market share originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Akio ToyodaAkioToyodaFujio ChoFujioChoMarket ShareMarketShareProfitQualitySalesSlumpToyotaTue, 11 Aug 2009 17:33:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19125286/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/08/11/toyota-reverses-decision-chooses-to-again-seek-quality-over-mar/19125286/article-detail.xml 19125286 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/akio-toyoda-250_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/akio-toyoda-250.jpg <![CDATA[VIDEO: What goes into German engineering - Audi's TechDay Quality]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/05/what-goes-into-german-engineering-audis-techday-quality/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/05/what-goes-into-german-engineering-audis-techday-quality/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/05/what-goes-into-german-engineering-audis-techday-quality/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Audi's TechDay Quality philosophy -- Click above to watch video

Why are German luxury cars so expensive? Because of German engineering. And what is this whole "German engineering" thing all about? That's the question Audi tries to explain once a year when it takes outsiders through its quality processes during its factory TechDay.

According to the Audi, the automaker's three main tenets are Value, Precision, and Fascination, and they all add up to Quality. This encompasses processes that go into making processes like reworking the fit of the gas tank cap to adjust for parallax error, using a scanning electron microscope for surface analysis, and an olfactory team to make sure things like leather smell right.

The video shows you what Audi does to get you that quality... and frankly, it looks like a lot more fun than the engineering bits. You can see the video and read a Joycean-length string of press releases after the jump. A host of high-res photos, including more shots of the A5 Sportback, are in the gallery below.


Gallery: Audi TechDay Quality 2009


[Source: Auto Scout (translated) via German Car Blog]

Continue reading VIDEO: What goes into German engineering - Audi's TechDay Quality

VIDEO: What goes into German engineering - Audi's TechDay Quality originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 05 Jul 2009 16:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiengineeringlifestylequalitysafetytechnologyvideoSun, 05 Jul 2009 16:11:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19080244/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/07/05/what-goes-into-german-engineering-audis-techday-quality/19080244/article-detail.xml 19080244 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/06/audi_qualit_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/06/audi_qualit.jpg <![CDATA[Chrysler vehicles 29% less broke than before]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/09/chrysler-vehicles-29-less-broke-than-before/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/09/chrysler-vehicles-29-less-broke-than-before/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/09/chrysler-vehicles-29-less-broke-than-before/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Automakers want top-notch quality in their vehicles because a good reputation for quality sell more cars. The pleasant side effect of high quality is spending less to repair your own vehicles. Millions of dollars can be saved per one percentage point improvement in warranty costs. Cerberus was quick to crack down on quality woes when it took over Chrysler, and the early fruit of its labor is hundreds of millions of dollars in warranty costs avoided. Chrysler cars and trucks are hitting the dealer less for repairs than before, which has resulted in a 29% drop in warranty claims for the automaker. That's good news for the cash-strapped automaker, and a big reason the privately owned company has earned $1.1 billion since the company's sale. The positive swing in warranty claims means Chrysler can appropriate less money for warranty claims in the future, giving it more money to spend on R&D, engineering, and, hopefully, interiors.

If you're asking yourself, "Aren't Chrysler products close to last in J.D. Power initial quality studies every year?" you're not alone. Chrysler does tend to fare poorly in those surveys, but they concentrate more on things like cup holders, fit and finish, and general interior quality, all of which don't necessarily cost a lot to fix. The Pentastar is going to de-emphasize J.D. Power results going forward, and instead focus on the arguably more influential Consumer Reports rankings. Unfortunately, the Chrysler vehicles haven't fared very well there either, but that can always change. Thanks for the tip, Mike!

[Source: Detroit Free Press, Photo by Scott Olson/Getty]

Chrysler vehicles 29% less broke than before originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Sep 2008 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cerberuschryslerJD PowerJdPowerqualitywarranty costsWarrantyCostsTue, 09 Sep 2008 10:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1307593/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/09/09/chrysler-vehicles-29-less-broke-than-before/1307593/article-detail.xml 1307593 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/09/74145078_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/09/74145078_opt.jpg <![CDATA[Ford talks tough on quality, promises best-built small cars]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/11/ford-talks-tough-on-quality-promises-best-built-small-cars/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/11/ford-talks-tough-on-quality-promises-best-built-small-cars/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/11/ford-talks-tough-on-quality-promises-best-built-small-cars/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Ford Fiesta


Not wanting to take second place to anyone, especially Toyota, Ford is vowing that its new line of Euro small cars, including the new Fiesta and next-gen Focus, will launch in the U.S. with the best quality in the industry. That's the official word from Bennie Fowler, Ford's VP of Global Quality. To accomplish this goal for the 2010 model year, Ford will send a handful of UAW workers to Wayne State University where they will become certified "Six Sigma Black Belts" (a.k.a. quality experts with the coolest certification ever) and take their learned expertise back to the assembly plants. The industry average right now is about 1,300 problems per 1,000 vehicles. Ford is promising that its new line of small cars from Europe will have just 800 things gone wrong per 1,000 vehicles. It is a target that bests their Japanese rival, but it still leaves us wondering why they wouldn't just aim for zero problems?

Gallery: 2009 Ford Fiesta


[Source: The Detroit News]

Ford talks tough on quality, promises best-built small cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Aug 2008 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Black BeltBlackBeltHigh QualityHighQualityLow issuesLowIssuesProblemsQualityQualtiySix SigmaSixSigmaToyotaUAWMon, 11 Aug 2008 12:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1280992/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/08/11/ford-talks-tough-on-quality-promises-best-built-small-cars/1280992/article-detail.xml 1280992 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/08/03_new-fiesta_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/08/03_new-fiesta_opt.jpg <![CDATA[Ford touting quality equal to that of Toyota and Honda]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/07/ford-touting-quality-equal-to-that-of-toyota-and-honda/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/07/ford-touting-quality-equal-to-that-of-toyota-and-honda/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/07/ford-touting-quality-equal-to-that-of-toyota-and-honda/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The Bloomfield Hills, Michigan-based RDA Group has found that Ford is on par with top-level stalwarts Toyota and Honda when it comes to vehicle quality. Ford managed 1,284 "things-gone-wrong" (TGW) per 1,000 vehicles during the first three months of ownership this year, statistically matching the two top Japanese brands, which are tied at 1,250 TGW. Though it certianly won't be the last word in the ongoing debate as to who makes the best cars, it is at least a good sign for Ford. Perhaps what's most impressive is that 36 of 40 Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda nameplates improved this year versus 2007. Ford's performance in this study marks an eight-percent improvement over the previous year, at which time they were tied with Toyota, but trailing industry-leader Honda. While Ford is glad to see quality improving, every automaker would surely like to sit alone at the top of the quality rankings, and Ford is no different.

Ford builds some pretty good vehicles these days, but faces a large perceived quality gap, as only 41-percent of consumers consider Ford vehicles according to their own internal data. For that reason, expect Ford to tout these new quality findings as part of their Drive One campaign.

[Source: Ford]

Ford touting quality equal to that of Toyota and Honda originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Apr 2008 17:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fordford drive oneford qualityford-drive-oneford-qualityFordDriveOneFordQualityqualityrda grouprda-groupRdaGroupMon, 07 Apr 2008 17:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1160869/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/04/07/ford-touting-quality-equal-to-that-of-toyota-and-honda/1160869/article-detail.xml 1160869 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/04/ford_logo_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/04/ford_logo.jpg -1 2