Teh One Who Knocks
06-19-2014, 10:56 AM
Chris Woodyard, USA TODAY
http://i.imgur.com/SLZGKhJ.jpg
J.D. Power and Associates says that the Porsche brand easily led its 2014 Initial Quality Study, although Power noted that the overall number of problems in all cars was increasing as more complex new technologies are introduced.
The survey, which ranks brands and individual models for fewest problems per 100 vehicles in the first 90 days of ownership, is the auto industry's top measure of new-car build quality, as well as in meeting buyer expectations.
"The acid test is customer satisfaction," said Matthias Müller, chairman of Porsche's executive board. "We are delighted we can meet the high quality demands of Porsche drivers. For us, the ratings are both a demonstration as well as an incentive to continue along our path to quality growth."
In other highlights in the study of 2014 models, Power credits the Hyundai brand for a dramatic move into the auto industry's top-tier of quality. It jumped from 10th in last year's study, to fourth place this year — making it the top mainstream brand, after three high-price nameplates: Porsche; Jaguar; and Lexus.
Hyundai also had three winners and two runners-up in the study ranking best individual models by vehicle type.
It was General Motors, however, that for a second consecutive year, had the most individual models winning their vehicle segments..
The bottom tier of brands — those with the most problems per 100 vehicles — were Fiat, Jeep and Mitsubishi.
Hyundai credits its rise this year to having focused on trouble spots in last year's survey.
"Go after the big ones; make measurable improvements," says Dave Zuchowski, CEO of Hyundai Motor America, about his improvement philosophy.
Some of the changes involved hardware, he said, such as finding new positions for microphones inside cars to aid the voice-recognition systems. Others were on the human side, such as training dealers to help customers pair their cellphones with their cars' infotainment systems at delivery.
"It speaks to our long-term commitment to quality," Zuchowski says. He also notes that Hyundai's entry-level Accent compact was second only to Porsche's Panamera luxury sedan for fewest problems per 100 for any individual model.
At the other end of the quality spectrum, dead-last Fiat missed by a mile. The brand had 206 problems per 100 vehicles, compared with 146 for next-to-worse Chrysler Group stablemate Jeep.
Fiat said in a statement that its IQS brand results were skewed by having the bulk of responses from owners of a new four-door model, the 500L, which had more bugs to be worked out than the existing 500 coupe. There were few responses for the improved 2014 500 coupe, which did not arrive until late in the year. Fiat also blamed "European design features (that) might prompt some owners to check more boxes on the IQS survey" even though they like the car's style.
The overall industry average this year was 116 problems for every 100 cars, up 3% from 113 last year. There were two big reasons, according Power. First, more all-new models came to market, and those typically have more problems than models on the market longer as bugs are worked out. Second, new vehicles are coming packed with more new technologies, such as voice recognition, Bluetooth phone and audio pairing and fancy infotainment systems that can befuddle consumers. Buyers can rate something they don't like as a problem, even if it works as designed.
The rough winter, too, also put new vehicles to the test, Power said. Owners in the Midwest and Northeast reported more problems than last year, while reported problems in the West and South remained stable.
"It is impossible to completely negate the effects of severe weather," says David Sargent, a Power vice president.
Power says its study, now in its 28th year, is significant because consumers who have good initial experiences with their cars are more likely to return to the brand again.
Below is the ranking of the brands and the best individual models by product type in the 2014 IQS:
2014 BRAND RANKING
Average problems per 100 vehicles of brand's whole line:
Porsche 74
Jaguar 87
Lexus 92
Hyundai 94
Toyota 105
Chevrolet 106
Kia 106
BMW 108
Honda 108
Lincoln 109
Audi 111
Chrysler 111
Cadillac 115
Mercedes-Benz 115
Volvo 115
Ford 116
GMC 116
Ram 116
INDUSTRY AVERAGE
Buick 120
Nissan 120
Dodge 124
Land Rover 127
Infiniti 128
Volkswagen 128
Acura 131
Mini 133
Subaru 138
Mazda 139
Scion 140
Mitsubishi 145
Jeep 146
Fiat 206
BEST INDIVIDUAL MODELS BY TYPE
Small car: Hyundai Accent, Mazda2, Kia Rio
Compact car: Hyundai Elantra, Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic
Compact premium car: Lexus ES Acura TL, Acura ILX (tie), BMW 4 Series (tie)
Compact sporty car: Mazda MX-5 Miata, Volkswagen GTI, Scion tC
Compact premium sporty car: Porsche Boxster, Porsche Cayman, Nissan Z
Midsize car: Chevrolet Malibu, Hyundai Sonata, Toyota Camry
Midsize sporty car: Dodge Challenger, Chevrolet Camaro
Midsize premium car: Hyundai Genesis, Lincoln MKS, BMW 6 Series (tie), Lexus GS (tie), Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class (tie)
Midsize premium sporty car: Porsche 911, Jaguar F-Type
Large car: Kia Cadenza, Nissan Maxima, Toyota Avalon
Large premium car: Porsche Panamera, Lexus LS, Hyundai Equus
Small SUV: Buick Encore (tie), Kia Sportage (tie), Nissan Juke (tie)
Compact SUV: GMC Terrain, Chevrolet Equinox, Toyota FJ Cruiser
Compact premium SUV: Infiniti QX50, BMW X3, Audi Q5
Compact MPV: Mazda5, Kia Soul, Ford C-Max
Midsize SUV: Ford Edge, Hyundai Santa Fe (tie) Nissan Murano (tie)
Midsize premium SUV: Lincoln MKX, Porsche Cayenne, Infiniti QX70
Midsize pickup: Honda Ridgeline, Nissan Frontier (tie) Toyota Tacoma (tie)
Minivan: Chrysler Town & Country, Toyota Sienna, Dodge Grand Caravan
Large SUV: Chevrolet Suburban (tie) GMC Yukon (tie), Chevrolet Tahoe
Large premium SUV: Infiniti QX80, Cadillac Escalade
Large light-duty pickup: Ford F-150, Toyota Tundra, Ram 1500
Large heavy-duty pickup: Chevrolet Silverado HD, GMC Sierra HD
http://i.imgur.com/SLZGKhJ.jpg
J.D. Power and Associates says that the Porsche brand easily led its 2014 Initial Quality Study, although Power noted that the overall number of problems in all cars was increasing as more complex new technologies are introduced.
The survey, which ranks brands and individual models for fewest problems per 100 vehicles in the first 90 days of ownership, is the auto industry's top measure of new-car build quality, as well as in meeting buyer expectations.
"The acid test is customer satisfaction," said Matthias Müller, chairman of Porsche's executive board. "We are delighted we can meet the high quality demands of Porsche drivers. For us, the ratings are both a demonstration as well as an incentive to continue along our path to quality growth."
In other highlights in the study of 2014 models, Power credits the Hyundai brand for a dramatic move into the auto industry's top-tier of quality. It jumped from 10th in last year's study, to fourth place this year — making it the top mainstream brand, after three high-price nameplates: Porsche; Jaguar; and Lexus.
Hyundai also had three winners and two runners-up in the study ranking best individual models by vehicle type.
It was General Motors, however, that for a second consecutive year, had the most individual models winning their vehicle segments..
The bottom tier of brands — those with the most problems per 100 vehicles — were Fiat, Jeep and Mitsubishi.
Hyundai credits its rise this year to having focused on trouble spots in last year's survey.
"Go after the big ones; make measurable improvements," says Dave Zuchowski, CEO of Hyundai Motor America, about his improvement philosophy.
Some of the changes involved hardware, he said, such as finding new positions for microphones inside cars to aid the voice-recognition systems. Others were on the human side, such as training dealers to help customers pair their cellphones with their cars' infotainment systems at delivery.
"It speaks to our long-term commitment to quality," Zuchowski says. He also notes that Hyundai's entry-level Accent compact was second only to Porsche's Panamera luxury sedan for fewest problems per 100 for any individual model.
At the other end of the quality spectrum, dead-last Fiat missed by a mile. The brand had 206 problems per 100 vehicles, compared with 146 for next-to-worse Chrysler Group stablemate Jeep.
Fiat said in a statement that its IQS brand results were skewed by having the bulk of responses from owners of a new four-door model, the 500L, which had more bugs to be worked out than the existing 500 coupe. There were few responses for the improved 2014 500 coupe, which did not arrive until late in the year. Fiat also blamed "European design features (that) might prompt some owners to check more boxes on the IQS survey" even though they like the car's style.
The overall industry average this year was 116 problems for every 100 cars, up 3% from 113 last year. There were two big reasons, according Power. First, more all-new models came to market, and those typically have more problems than models on the market longer as bugs are worked out. Second, new vehicles are coming packed with more new technologies, such as voice recognition, Bluetooth phone and audio pairing and fancy infotainment systems that can befuddle consumers. Buyers can rate something they don't like as a problem, even if it works as designed.
The rough winter, too, also put new vehicles to the test, Power said. Owners in the Midwest and Northeast reported more problems than last year, while reported problems in the West and South remained stable.
"It is impossible to completely negate the effects of severe weather," says David Sargent, a Power vice president.
Power says its study, now in its 28th year, is significant because consumers who have good initial experiences with their cars are more likely to return to the brand again.
Below is the ranking of the brands and the best individual models by product type in the 2014 IQS:
2014 BRAND RANKING
Average problems per 100 vehicles of brand's whole line:
Porsche 74
Jaguar 87
Lexus 92
Hyundai 94
Toyota 105
Chevrolet 106
Kia 106
BMW 108
Honda 108
Lincoln 109
Audi 111
Chrysler 111
Cadillac 115
Mercedes-Benz 115
Volvo 115
Ford 116
GMC 116
Ram 116
INDUSTRY AVERAGE
Buick 120
Nissan 120
Dodge 124
Land Rover 127
Infiniti 128
Volkswagen 128
Acura 131
Mini 133
Subaru 138
Mazda 139
Scion 140
Mitsubishi 145
Jeep 146
Fiat 206
BEST INDIVIDUAL MODELS BY TYPE
Small car: Hyundai Accent, Mazda2, Kia Rio
Compact car: Hyundai Elantra, Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic
Compact premium car: Lexus ES Acura TL, Acura ILX (tie), BMW 4 Series (tie)
Compact sporty car: Mazda MX-5 Miata, Volkswagen GTI, Scion tC
Compact premium sporty car: Porsche Boxster, Porsche Cayman, Nissan Z
Midsize car: Chevrolet Malibu, Hyundai Sonata, Toyota Camry
Midsize sporty car: Dodge Challenger, Chevrolet Camaro
Midsize premium car: Hyundai Genesis, Lincoln MKS, BMW 6 Series (tie), Lexus GS (tie), Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class (tie)
Midsize premium sporty car: Porsche 911, Jaguar F-Type
Large car: Kia Cadenza, Nissan Maxima, Toyota Avalon
Large premium car: Porsche Panamera, Lexus LS, Hyundai Equus
Small SUV: Buick Encore (tie), Kia Sportage (tie), Nissan Juke (tie)
Compact SUV: GMC Terrain, Chevrolet Equinox, Toyota FJ Cruiser
Compact premium SUV: Infiniti QX50, BMW X3, Audi Q5
Compact MPV: Mazda5, Kia Soul, Ford C-Max
Midsize SUV: Ford Edge, Hyundai Santa Fe (tie) Nissan Murano (tie)
Midsize premium SUV: Lincoln MKX, Porsche Cayenne, Infiniti QX70
Midsize pickup: Honda Ridgeline, Nissan Frontier (tie) Toyota Tacoma (tie)
Minivan: Chrysler Town & Country, Toyota Sienna, Dodge Grand Caravan
Large SUV: Chevrolet Suburban (tie) GMC Yukon (tie), Chevrolet Tahoe
Large premium SUV: Infiniti QX80, Cadillac Escalade
Large light-duty pickup: Ford F-150, Toyota Tundra, Ram 1500
Large heavy-duty pickup: Chevrolet Silverado HD, GMC Sierra HD