JD Power says that its latest vehicle dependability survey has found that 25 of 36 vehicle brands have improved in long-term dependability in 2010, compared with their performance in 2009, continuing a steady trend of industry-wide improvement.
However, for some of these brands, consumer perceptions have not kept pace with their actual performance, the firm says.
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The study, which measures problems experienced by original owners of three-year-old (2007 model year) vehicles, includes 198 different problem symptoms across all areas of the vehicle. Overall dependability is determined by the level of problems experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100), with a lower score reflecting higher quality.
The Vehicle Dependability Study is used extensively by vehicle manufacturers worldwide to help design and build better vehicles and by consumers to help them make more informed choices for both new- and used- vehicle purchases.
According to JD Power, among new-vehicle shoppers, perception of quality and dependability is the most influential factor in their decision to purchase a specific vehicle model.
The study finds that several brands that perform well in long-term dependability in 2010 are avoided at relatively high rates due to consumer concerns about dependability. Among brands included in the survey, Cadillac, Ford, Hyundai, Lincoln and Mercury have the greatest lags between dependability performance and consumer perception.
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By GlobalData“Producing vehicles with world-class quality is just part of the battle for automakers; convincing consumers to believe in their quality is equally as important,” said David Sargent, vice president of global vehicle research at JD Power.
“It takes considerable time to positively change consumer perceptions of quality and dependability–sometimes a decade or more–so it is vital for manufacturers to continually improve quality and also to convince consumers of these gains.”
According to Sargent, approaches that can help reinforce perceptions of high quality in consumers’ minds include: providing extended warranties, which demonstrates a brand’s faith in its products; incorporating features, materials and finishes in vehicles that have a rich feel; and ensuring that new models launch with better quality than their predecessors. In addition, automakers need to increase communication efforts about their high quality and dependability through social media channels such as blogs, Facebook and Twitter, as well as through traditional channels.
Toyota continues to perform well in long-term dependability and garners four segment awards–more than any other nameplate in 2010–for the Highlander, Prius, Sequoia and Tundra. Honda receives three segment awards for the CR-V, Fit and Ridgeline. Lincoln captures two awards for the Mark LT and MKZ. In addition, Audi, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, Lexus, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz and Mercury each receive a model segment award.
Porsche leads the overall nameplate rankings in 2010, which is consistent with its performance in the J.D. Power and Associates 2007 Initial Quality Study(SM), which measures new-vehicle quality at 90 days of ownership. Lincoln improves by six rank positions from 2009 to follow Porsche in the nameplate rankings. Rounding out the top five nameplates are Buick, Lexus and Mercury. In addition, seven of the 10 models with the lowest incidence of problems in the industry are from Ford and General Motors, including the 2007 model-year Buick Lacrosse, Buick Lucerne, Cadillac DTS, Ford Five Hundred, Lincoln MKZ, Mercury Milan, and Mercury Montego. The Cadillac DTS has the fewest problems in the industry, with just 76 problems per 100 vehicles. This marks the first time in more than a decade that a model from a domestic automaker has achieved the lowest PP100 score in the Vehicle Dependability Study.
Overall vehicle dependability has improved by 7 percent in 2010 to an average of 155 PP100, compared with 167 PP100 in 2009 – a rate that is consistent with historical industry gains. In addition to the improvement in overall dependability, the rate of component replacement has also been reduced from 2009. Approximately 65 percent of owners indicate they replaced a vehicle component in 2010, compared with 68 percent in 2009.
“The improvements in long-term dependability and component replacement rates are good news for both consumers and manufacturers,” said Sargent. “Manufacturers benefit from lower warranty expenses, while consumers incur lower maintenance and repair costs, as well as less inconvenience.”
2010 Nameplate Ranking
Problems per 100 Vehicles
Porsche – 110
Lincoln – 114
Buick – 115
Lexus – 115
Mercury – 121
Toyota – 128
Honda – 132
Ford – 141
Mercedes-Benz – 142
Acura – 143
Hyundai – 148
Cadillac – 150
Infiniti – 150
Subaru – 155
Industry Average – 155
SAAB – 158
Saturn – 164
BMW – 165
GMC – 165
Chrysler – 166
Kia – 167
Volvo – 167
HUMMER – 169
Jaguar – 175
Chevrolet – 176
Nissan – 180
Audi – 182
Dodge – 190
Pontiac – 192
Mazda – 195
Scion – 201
Mitsubishi – 202
MINI – 203
Jeep – 222
Volkswagen – 225
Suzuki – 253
Land Rover – 255
