Lexus Ranks Highest in Vehicle Dependability for a 14th Consecutive Year WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., Aug. 7
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., Aug. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Deterioration in vehicle
quality during the first three years of ownership -- determined by comparing
long-term dependability rates to initial quality problem rates -- strongly
affects overall customer satisfaction as well as customer willingness to
recommend their vehicle model, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2008
Vehicle Dependability Study(SM) (VDS) released today.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050527/LAF028LOGO-a)
The study, which measures problems experienced by original owners of
3-year-old (2005 model year) vehicles, finds that, on average, customers
report experiencing 75 percent more problems in the third year of ownership
than during the first 90 days. Those models with the largest increase in
problem levels show the most pronounced declines in satisfaction and the
likelihood of owners to recommend their vehicle model. In addition, while no
model has fewer reported problems in the third year of ownership compared with
the first three months, those models that average less than 35 percent problem
growth actually demonstrate improvement in overall satisfaction during the
three-year period.
"Understanding and minimizing quality deterioration is critical for
manufacturers, as it is a key driver of owner satisfaction and word of mouth
recommendations," said David Sargent, vice president of automotive research at
J.D. Power and Associates. "It is imperative that manufacturers design models
that not only achieve high levels of initial quality but also attain high
levels of longer-term dependability. Vehicle models that stand the test of
time will help automaker profitability through superior owner satisfaction and
recommendation rates."
The study also finds that five of the top 10 problems reported
industry-wide in the 2008 Vehicle Dependability Study were also among the top
10 most frequently reported problems in the 2005 Initial Quality Study,
suggesting that the problems are identified by owners during the initial
ownership period, but have not been rectified by automakers during the
three-year ownership period.
The problems include:
1. Excessive wind noise
2. Noisy brakes
3. Vehicle pulling to the left or right
4. Issues with the instrument panel/dashboard
5. Excessive window fogging
"Although automakers have achieved tremendous gains in initial quality and
dependability in recent years by specifically addressing customer concerns,
these particular problems still prove challenging for manufacturers," said
Sargent. "The fact that these problems have endured throughout the industry
for many years suggests that additional focus on these issues prior to vehicle
launch would benefit not only consumers, but also automakers through increased
customer satisfaction."
For a 14th consecutive year, Lexus ranks highest in vehicle dependability,
improving by 25 problems per 100 vehicles since 2007 to achieve a score of 120
PP100. Following in the top five rankings are Mercury, Cadillac, Toyota and
Acura, respectively.
In addition, Lexus garners six segment awards -- the most of any nameplate
in 2008 -- for the ES 330, GX 470, IS 300, LS 430, LX 470 and SC 430. Toyota
follows with five segment awards for the Highlander, Prius, RAV4, Sequoia, and
Tundra. Ford and Honda each capture two awards. Ford models receiving awards
are the Crown Victoria and Ranger, while Honda earns awards for the Element
and S2000. Models by Buick, Chevrolet, Hyundai, Mazda and Mercury each rank
highest in one segment.
SAAB is the most improved brand in the study, although it continues to
rank below the industry average. SAAB improves by 65 PP100 since 2007.
The study finds that long-term vehicle quality has improved by 5 percent
industry-wide in 2008 -- with an overall decrease of 10 problems per 100
vehicles -- compared with 2007. More than 60 percent of the 38 nameplates
included in the study improve in 2008, compared with 2007. Among the 19
segments included in the study, the midsize premium MAV segment demonstrates
the most improvement in 2008 -- 36 PP100 fewer than in 2007. The compact car
and midsize car segments also have much lower problem levels in 2008 than in
2007, and together account for more than one-half of the overall industry
improvement.
"The gains in dependability for compact and midsize vehicles are good news
for consumers who are downsizing their vehicles due to increasing fuel
prices," said Sargent. "Consumers who purchase these smaller vehicles benefit
not only from immediate gains in fuel economy, but also from improvements in
long-term dependability, compared with previous years."
The 2008 Vehicle Dependability Study is based on responses from more than
52,000 original owners of 2005 model-year vehicles. The study was fielded from
January through April 2008.
Find more detailed findings on vehicle dependability as well as model
photos and specs by watching a video, reading an article and reviewing brand
and segment dependability ratings at JDPower.com.
About J.D. Power and Associates
Headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., J.D. Power and Associates is a
global marketing information services company operating in key business
sectors including market research, forecasting, performance improvement,
training and customer satisfaction. The company's quality and satisfaction
measurements are based on responses from millions of consumers annually. For
more information on car reviews and ratings, car insurance, health insurance,
cell phone ratings, and more, please visit JDPower.com. J.D. Power and
Associates is a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies.
About The McGraw-Hill Companies
Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP) is a leading global
information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial
services, education and business information markets through leading brands
such as Standard & Poor's, McGraw-Hill Education, BusinessWeek and J.D. Power
and Associates. The Corporation has more than 280 offices in 40 countries.
Sales in 2007 were $6.8 billion. Additional information is available at
http://www.mcgraw-hill.com.
J.D. Power and Associates Media Relations Contacts:
John TewsSyvetril Perryman
Troy, Mich. Westlake Village, Calif.
(248) 312-4119 (805) 418-8103
john.tews@jdpa.com syvetril.perryman@jdpa.com
No advertising or other promotional use can be made of the information in
this release without the express prior written consent of J.D. Power and
Associates. http://www.jdpower.com/corporate
2008 Nameplate VDS Ranking
Problems Per 100 Vehicles
Lexus120
Mercury 151
Cadillac 155
Toyota 159
Acura160
Buick163
BMW 164
Lincoln 165
Honda177
Jaguar 178
Porsche 193
Mitsubishi 197
Hyundai 200
Ford 204
Infiniti 204
Industry Average 206
Audi 207
Mercedes-Benz215
Nissan 224
Pontiac 225
GMC 226
Mazda228
Subaru 228
Chrysler 229
Dodge230
MINI 233
Chevrolet239
HUMMER 241
Scion243
Volvo244
Saturn 250
Jeep 253
Volkswagen 253
SAAB 254
Isuzu274
Kia 278
Suzuki 302
Land Rover 344
Note: Maserati is included in the study but not ranked due to small sample
size.
Top Three Models per Segment
Car Segments
Sub-Compact Car
Highest Ranked: Hyundai Accent
Scion xA
Chevrolet Aveo
Compact Car
Highest Ranked: Toyota Prius
Mitsubishi Lancer
Toyota Corolla
Compact Sporty Car
Highest Ranked: Mazda Miata
Toyota Celica
Subaru Outback Sport
Midsize Sporty Car
Highest Ranked: Chevrolet Monte Carlo
Toyota Camry Solara Coupe/Convertible
Mitsubishi Eclipse
Midsize Car
Highest Ranked: Buick Century
Mercury Sable
Toyota Camry Sedan
Large Car
Highest Ranked: Ford Crown Victoria
Mercury Grand Marquis
Buick Park Avenue
Compact Premium Sporty Car
Highest Ranked: Honda S2000
BMW Z4 (tie)
Porsche Boxster (tie)
Entry Premium Vehicle
Highest Ranked: Lexus IS 300/IS 300 SportCross
BMW 3 Series
BMW X3
Midsize Premium Car
Highest Ranked: Lexus ES 330
Lexus GS 300/GS 430
Acura RL
Large Premium Car
Highest Ranked: Lexus LS 430
Lincoln Town Car
Cadillac DeVille
Premium Sporty Car
Highest Ranked: Lexus SC 430
Ford Thunderbird
Porsche 911
Top Three Models per Segment
Truck / Multi-Activity Vehicle (MAV) Segments
Compact MAV
Highest Ranked: Honda Element (tie)
Toyota RAV4 (tie)
Honda CR-V
Midsize MAV
Highest Ranked: Toyota Highlander
Buick Rainier
Mercury Mountaineer
Large MAV
Highest Ranked: Toyota Sequoia
Chevrolet Suburban
Ford Excursion
Large Pickup
Highest Ranked: Toyota Tundra
Ford F-150 LD
Dodge Ram Pickup LD
Midsize Pickup
Highest Ranked: Ford Ranger
Toyota Tacoma
Dodge Dakota
Van
Highest Ranked: Mercury Monterey
Ford E-Series
GMC Savana
Midsize Premium MAV
Highest Ranked: Lexus GX 470
Lexus RX 330
Volvo XC70
Large Premium MAV
Highest Ranked: Lexus LX 470
Cadillac Escalade EXT
Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV
Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click
appropriate link.
Neal Oddes
https://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=58144
SOURCE J.D. Power and Associates
