Mark Phelan of the Detroit Free Press tries to answer what seems to be a very common question about General
Motors: if the automaker’s vehicles have improved, why is it still losing market share and scoring low on independent
surveys from sources like Consumer Reports?
Consistency seems to be the answer, writes Phelan. Or
lack of it on GM’s part. According to his article, while some of GM brands, such as Buick, and even some models, such
as the Chevrolet Impala, score high on surveys by JD Power & Associates. But too many also fall below average.
Toyota’s vehicles, from its compact cars to its largest trucks, are consistent in their quality levels according to
Phelan. The Japanese automaker, who may surpass GM this year as world’s number one automaker, also has fewer platforms
which is part of its philosophy in quality maintenance.
[More after the jump]
[Detroit Free Press
via Indianapolis Star]
But GM’s rising scores–despite some cynicism from Consumer Reports found in Phelan’s article–indicate it has
learned from its past mistakes. Now, for example, GM tests parts until they fail instead of a pre-determined limit. New
vehicles especially, like the Chevrolet Malibu, have already seen benefits from these changes. Unfortunately, the public
continues to remember the lower performing brands and models, like GM’s minivans, and associates the entire
automaker’s line up with their past experiences.
What’s your thoughts on Phelan’s theory? Fire back
in Comments.