J.D. Power and Associates Reports: Embattled U.S. Automakers Make Substantial Gains in Initial Quality, Outpacing Industry-Wide Improvement

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., June 22 /PRNewswire/ -- New vehicles sold by Chrysler, Ford and GM's domestic brands have improved in initial quality by an average of 10 percent, compared with 2008, surpassing the 8-percent rate of improvement by the industry overall, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Initial Quality Study(SM) (IQS) released today.

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Overall, the industry average for initial quality is 108 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) in 2009, down from 118 PP100 in 2008. Initial quality for domestic brands has improved to an average of 112 PP100 in 2009 from 124 PP100 in 2008. Lower PP100 scores indicate a lower rate of problem incidences and higher quality.

"Even in the face of unprecedented challenges, the Detroit automakers are keeping their focus on designing and building high-quality vehicles, which is a precondition for long-term success," said David Sargent, vice president of automotive research at J.D. Power and Associates. "High quality generally translates into reduced re-engineering costs and lower warranty expenses during a vehicle's life cycle. High quality also enhances an automaker's reputation for reliability, which is a critical purchase consideration for many consumers."

In addition to the marked improvement by domestic automakers, many import brands continued to perform well in 2009. Lexus leads the overall nameplate rankings, averaging 84 PP100. Following in the rankings are Porsche, Cadillac (which moves from 10th rank position in 2008 to third in 2009), Hyundai (improves from 13th rank position in 2008 to fourth in 2009) and Honda, rounding out the top five. Suzuki posts the largest improvement in ranking, moving from 32nd place in 2008 to ninth in 2009.

The study finds that initial quality for newly launched and redesigned models in 2009 has improved compared with previous years. Historically, all-new models have typically launched with below-average levels of initial quality. However, several all-new models in 2009, including the Hyundai Genesis, Kia Borrego, Toyota Venza and Volkswagen CC, perform considerably better than their respective segment averages. Many redesigned models in 2009 also show notable improvement from the previous generation--particularly the Acura TL, Ford F-150, Honda Pilot and Nissan Z.

"Achieving high levels of initial quality in all-new models is one of the greatest challenges for manufacturers," said Sargent. "Now that more manufacturers are getting their launch quality right straight out of the gate, consumers can expect the quality of new vehicles to continue to rise."

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 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--design-related problems and defects and malfunctions.

2009 IQS Ranking Highlights

Toyota Motor Corporation captures 10 segment awards--more than any other corporation in the 2009 study--including five for Lexus, four for Toyota and one for Scion. Lexus receives awards for the IS, GS, GX, LS and LX models. The Lexus LX has the fewest quality problems in the industry, with just 52 PP100. Toyota models receiving awards in their respective segments are the 4Runner (in a tie); Sienna; Tundra (in a tie); and Yaris.

Ford receives three awards for the Edge (in a tie); F-150 (in a tie); and Mustang. Garnering two awards each are Nissan (Altima and Z); and Honda (CR-V, in a tie, and Ridgeline).

Also receiving segment awards are: Chevrolet Trailblazer (in a tie), Chrysler PT Cruiser Wagon (in a tie), GMC Yukon, Hyundai Elantra Sedan, Mercury Sable and Scion tC.

Assembly Plant Awards

The Toyota Motor Corporation assembly plant in Higashi-Fuji, Japan, receives the Platinum Plant Quality Award for producing vehicles yielding the fewest defects and malfunctions. Averaging just 29 PP100, the plant produces the Lexus SC 430 and Toyota Corolla. Plant awards are based solely on average levels of defects and malfunctions and exclude design-related problems.

Among North and South American plants, the Honda plant in East Liberty, Ohio, which produces the Civic Sedan, CR-V and Element, achieves the Gold Plant Quality Award.

In the Europe and Africa region, Daimler's East London, South Africa, plant, which produces the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, receives the Gold Plant Quality Award.

The 2009 Initial Quality Study is based on responses from more than 80,900 purchasers and lessees of new 2009 model-year cars, trucks and multi-activity vehicles surveyed after 90 days of ownership. The study is based on a 228-question battery designed to provide manufacturers with information to facilitate identifying problems and drive product improvement. The study was fielded between February and May 2009.

Find more detailed results on new-vehicle quality performance as well as model photos and specs by reading an article, browsing a photo gallery and reviewing quality ratings at JDPower.com.

2009 Nameplate IQS RankingProblems per 100 VehiclesLexus84Porsche90Cadillac91Hyundai95Honda99Mercedes-Benz101Toyota101Ford102Chevrolet103Suzuki103Infiniti106Mercury106Industry Average108Nissan110Acura111BMW112Kia112Volkswagen112GMC116Buick117Audi118Pontiac118Scion118Volvo118Saturn120Mazda123Lincoln129Subaru130Dodge134Jaguar134Mitsubishi135Chrysler136HUMMER136Jeep137SAAB138smart138Land Rover150MINI165Top Three Models per SegmentCar SegmentsSub-Compact CarHighest Ranked: Toyota YarisHyundai AccentHonda FitCompact CarHighest Ranked: Hyundai Elantra SedanToyota PriusHonda CivicCompact Sporty Car*Highest Ranked: Scion tCVolkswagen GTICompact Premium Sporty Car*Highest Ranked: Nissan ZMercedes-Benz SLK-ClassEntry Premium VehicleHighest Ranked: Lexus ISCadillac CTS (tie)Infiniti G-Series (tie)Midsize Premium CarHighest Ranked: Lexus GSAcura RLLexus ESMidsize Sporty Car*Highest Ranked: Ford MustangLarge Premium Car*Highest Ranked: Lexus LSMercedes-Benz S-ClassMidsize CarHighest Ranked: Nissan AltimaPontiac G6Chevrolet MalibuLarge CarHighest Ranked: Mercury SableToyota AvalonChevrolet Impala

NOTE: For a segment award to be issued, there must be at least three models with sufficient sample that comprise 80 percent of market sales within an award segment. There were only two premium sporty models and no large van models with sufficient sample size, thus no premium sporty or large van awards have been issued.

*No other model in this segment performs above the segment average.Top Three Models per SegmentTruck/Multi-Activity Vehicle (MAV) SegmentsCompact MAVHighest Ranked: Chrysler PT Cruiser Wagon (tie); Honda CR-V (tie)Mitsubishi OutlanderMidsize MAVHighest Ranked: Chevrolet TrailBlazer (tie); Ford Edge (tie); Toyota 4Runner (tie)Large MAV*Highest Ranked: GMC YukonChevrolet TahoeMidsize Premium MAVHighest Ranked: Lexus GXLexus RXCadillac SRXLarge Premium MAVHighest Ranked: Lexus LXCadillac EscaladeMercedes-Benz GL-ClassLarge PickupHighest Ranked: Ford F-150 (tie); Toyota Tundra (tie)Chevrolet AvalancheMidsize PickupHighest Ranked: Honda RidgelineNissan FrontierFord RangerMinivan*Highest Ranked: Toyota SiennaHonda Odyssey

NOTE: For a segment award to be issued, there must be at least three models with sufficient sample that comprise 80 percent of market sales within an award segment. There were only two premium sporty models and no large van models with sufficient sample size, thus no premium sporty or large van awards have been issued.

*No other model in this segment performs above the segment average.2009 Assembly Plant Quality Award RecipientsBased on Vehicles Produced for U.S. MarketAwardPP100Model(s) Produced at Plant(defects/malfunctions only)Platinum AwardToyota Motor Corporation-- Higashi-Fuji, Japan29Lexus SC and Toyota CorollaNorth/South AmericaGold AwardHonda Motor Company--East Liberty, Ohio41Honda Civic, CR-V and ElementSilver AwardGeneral Motors Corporation--Oshawa, Ontario (Car)42Buick LaCrosse andChevrolet ImpalaBronze AwardFord Motor Company--Kentucky Truck43Ford F-250/F-350 Super DutyBronze AwardGeneral Motors Corporation--Bowling Green, KY43Cadillac XLR andChevrolet CorvetteBronze AwardToyota Motor Corporation--Georgetown, KY43Toyota Avalon, Camry andVenzaAsia PacificSilver AwardToyota Motor Corporation--Fujimatsu, Japan30Toyota PriusBronze AwardToyota Motor Corporation--Kyushu, Japan34Lexus ES; IS; and RX;Toyota HighlanderEurope and AfricaGold AwardDaimler--East London, South Africa38Mercedes-Benz C-ClassSilver AwardBMW--Dingolfing, Germany40BMW 5 Series and 6 SeriesSilver AwardDaimler--Bremen, Germany40Mercedes-Benz C-Class;CLK-Class; SL-Class; and SLK-ClassAbout 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, Web intelligence and customer satisfaction. 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.

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J.D. Power and Associates Media Relations Contacts:John Tews; Troy, Mich.; (248) 312-4119; media.relations@jdpa.com

Syvetril Perryman; Westlake Village, Calif.; (805) 418-8103; media.relations@jdpa.com

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J.D. Power and Associates

CONTACT: John Tews, Troy, Mich., +1-248-312-4119,media.relations@jdpa.com, or Syvetril Perryman, Westlake Village, Calif.,+1-805-418-8103, media.relations@jdpa.com, both of J.D. Power and Associates

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