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http://content.usatoday.com/communi...-rises-in-jd-power-initial-quality-rankings/1
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opcorn:
Toyota's safety troubles appear to be spilling over to manufacturing quality as it tumbled from 6th to 21st place in this year's J.D. Power and Associates' annual Initial Quality Survey.
Porsche -- its Panamera is shown above -- was the top brand overall in fewest initial defects per vehicle. It was followed by Acura, Mercedes-Benz and Toyota's Lexus brand.
But Ford came next, breaking into the top 5 for the first time in the study's 24 years. And in another first, the Detroit makers collectively beat imports, as Power hailed them in the study for their quality gains.
At the bottom with most defects: Land Rover, just behind Mitsubishi and Volkswagen.
The study, the most-watched survey in the industry for quality straight from the assembly plant, measures how many problems show up in vehicles in the first 90 days of ownership.
ALSO ON DRIVE ON: Toyota hiring 2,000 as resumes work on Blue Springs, Miss., plant.
The Toyota brand fell dramatically in rank as its count rose to 16 defects per 100 vehicles. The poor quality showing comes on top of a series of embarrassing safety recalls. "Clearly, Toyota has endured a difficult year," said David Sargent, VP of global vehicle research at J.D. Power and Associates. "Recent consumer concerns regarding Toyota's quality are reflected in the nameplate's performance in the 2010 study."
Said Toyota spokesman John Hanson: "Of course we are disappointed in the drop in the Toyota and Lexus IQS rankings. But this year's study was conducted at the height of intense media coverage of our recent recalls, so it's no surprise to see the impact this had on this specific rank for the vehicles involved."
He said that vehicles not involved in the recalls saw higher scores compared to last year
The industry average for 2010 in initial quality is 109 problems per 100 vehicles, up slightly from 108 last year. But initial quality for domestic brands rose 4 points this year to an average of 108, one better than the average for all brands.
"Domestic automakers have made impressive strides in steadily improving vehicle quality, particularly since 2007," said Sargent. "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."
Among the vehicles showing improvement were the Ford Focus, Ram 1500 pickup and Buick Enclave. Ford models has improved steadily for the past nine years and the automaker now has has 12 models that rank within the top three in their respective segments in 2010—more than any other corporation. General Motors Company has 10 models that rank within the top three in their segments. (Ford's rankings still include Volvo, which it has since sold.)
Even some new models showed high levels of initial quality, not an easy accomplishment since they often need to work the kinks out. The all-new Honda Accord Crosstour and the redesigned Ford Mustang, Ford Taurus and Lexus GX 460 each rank highest in initial quality in their respective segments, Powe says. The Ford Fusion, Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe and Sedan and Porsche Panamera also launch with "notably high initial quality levels."
Here's the list by brand, from best to worst:
Porsche
Acura
Mercedes-Benz
Lexus
Ford
Honda
Hyundai
Lincoln
Infiniti
Volvo
Ram
Audi
Cadillac
Chevrolet
Nissan
BMW
Mercury
Buick
Mazda
Scion
Toyota
Subaru
Chrysler
Suzuki
GMC
Kia
Jeep
Dodge
Jaguar
Mini
Volkswagen
Mitsubishi
Land Rover
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