J.D. Power and Associates Reports: Ford Motor Company Captures Most Awards in 2007 Initial Quality Study
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA USA 05/27/2005
Product Launches Create Quality Challenges for Manufacturers

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., June 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Ford Motor Company
garners five top model segment awards -- more than any other automobile
corporation this year, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2007
Initial Quality Study(SM) (IQS) released today.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/...7/LAF028LOGO-a)
In the study, Ford Motor Company earns model segment awards for the
Ford Mustang, Lincoln Mark LT, Lincoln MKZ, Mazda MX-5 Miata and Mercury
Milan.

"The 2007 IQS results contain some encouraging and positive news for
Ford Motor Company," said Neal Oddes, director of product research and
analysis at J.D. Power and Associates. "Fourteen Ford Motor Company models
place in the top three of their respective segments -- an achievement
unmatched by any other corporation this year -- which is a testament to the
improvement in quality for Ford Motor Company vehicle models and plants. In
addition, their Lincoln nameplate, which receives two segment awards,
improves considerably to rank third in 2007, from 12th in 2006."

The Initial Quality Study serves as the industry benchmark for
new-vehicle quality measured at 90 days of ownership and captures problems
experienced by owners in two distinct categories -- quality of design and
quality of production (defects and malfunctions). Over the past 20 years,
the automotive industry has improved in quality at the rate of 6 percent
per year on average -- a 20-year improvement rate of more than 120 percent.
In addition, the study has found that the automotive industry has reduced
problem counts by 50 percent every 7 to 8 years.

The study finds that vehicle redesigns and product launches create
quality challenges for manufacturers as they continue to develop and
introduce new and advanced automotive technologies. On average, a vehicle
redesign increases problem counts by 10 problems per 100 (PP100) vehicles.
"Ideally, manufacturers should aim to achieve high initial quality when
launching a new model, since this builds a strong foundation for future
years and can become a differentiating factor relative to the competition,"
said Oddes. "One year after launch, initial quality begins to improve by an
average of 7 PP100. If a model launches with lower initial quality, it is
more difficult for the manufacturer to keep pace with the competition over
time."

2007 IQS Ranking Highlights
Mercedes-Benz and Toyota models capture three segment awards each.
Toyota models that receive awards are the 4Runner, Sequoia and Tacoma.
Mercedes-Benz models that earn awards are the E-Class (total), SL-Class and
the S-Class. The S-Class ties with the Audi A8 (total) for having the
fewest quality problems in the industry, with just 72 problems per 100
vehicles.

"Mercedes-Benz shows dramatic improvement, particularly with its
newly-redesigned S-Class, which improves 63 PP100," said Oddes. "Overall,
Mercedes-Benz improves its nameplate rank by 20 positions -- the greatest
rank increase of any nameplate in the study. All Mercedes-Benz models in
the study improved substantially, and the breadth and speed of these
improvements demonstrates the Mercedes-Benz commitment to quality."

For the second consecutive year, Porsche tops the overall nameplate
rankings, averaging 91 PP100. Following in the rankings are Lexus, Lincoln,
Honda and Mercedes-Benz, respectively. Honda, with the fewest problems per
100 among non-premium brands, improves in the ranking to fourth from sixth
since the 2006 study and earns awards with the Civic and CR-V. Among
non-premium brands, Kia posts the largest improvement in ranking, moving
from 24th in 2006 to 12th in 2007 and earning an award for the Kia Rio/Rio5
for the second year in a row.

The most improved nameplates in the study are Land Rover (increasing in
initial quality by 34 PP100), Saab (improving by 30 PP100) and
Mercedes-Benz (increasing by 28 PP100).

Other nameplates receiving model awards in 2007 include Chevrolet
(Express and Silverado Classic HD), Lexus (RX350/RX400h) Pontiac (Grand
Prix) and Porsche (Boxster).

Assembly Plant Awards
For the first time since 1999, a North American assembly plant receives
the Platinum Plant Quality Award for producing vehicles yielding the fewest
defects. Ford Motor Company's Wixom assembly plant in Michigan, which
produced the Lincoln Town Car, averages just 35 PP100. Plant awards are
based solely on defect counts.

Among other North and South American plants, the General Motors Oshawa
2 plant in Ontario, Canada, which produces the Buick LaCrosse and Pontiac
Grand Prix, receives the Silver Plant Quality Award. American Honda's East
Liberty, Ohio, plant, which produces the Honda Civic Sedan and Honda
Element, earns the Bronze Plant Quality Award.

In the Asia Pacific region, Toyota's Kyushu, Japan, plant, which
produces the Lexus ES 350, Lexus IS 250/IS 350, Lexus RX 350, Lexus RX 400h
and Toyota Highlander/Highlander Hybrid receives the Gold Plant Quality
Award. Toyota's Fujimatsu, Japan, plant, which produces the Toyota Prius,
earns the Silver Plant Quality Award. American Honda's Sayama, Japan, and
Suzuka, Japan, plants tie for the Bronze Plant Quality Award. The Sayama
plant produces the Acura RL, Acura TSX, Honda Accord Sedan/Hybrid Sedan and
Honda CR-V. The Suzuka plant produces the Honda Civic Sedan/Hybrid Sedan,
Fit and S2000.

BMW's Regensburg, Germany, plant, which produces the BMW 3 Series Coupe
and 3 Series Sedan, receives the Gold Plant Quality Award for Europe.
Earning the Silver Quality Plant Award is the Mercedes-Benz Sindelfingen,
Germany, plant, which produces the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, CL-Class,
CLS-Class, E-Class Sedan, E-Class Wagon, and S-Class. Audi's Neckarsulm,
Germany, plant, which produces the Audi A6 Avant, A6 Sedan, A8 Sedan, RS 4
Sedan, S6 Sedan and S8 Sedan, receives the Bronze Plant Quality Award.

The 2007 Initial Quality Study is based on responses from more than
97,000 purchasers and lessees of new 2007 model-year cars and trucks
surveyed after 90 days of ownership. The study is based on a 228-question
battery designed to provide manufacturers with information to facilitate
problem determination and drive product improvement.

Find more detailed findings on new-vehicle quality performance as well
as model photos and specs by watching a video, reading an article and
reviewing quality ratings at http://www.JDPower.com.

Top 3 vehicles in each category
J.D. Power and Associates on Wednesday released its annual survey of initial quality for 2007 model year vehicles, based on questionnaires sent to new-vehicle owners These are the top performers and runners-up in each category. An MAV, or multi-activity vehicle, refers to sport utility vehicles and crossovers.
Sub-compact car
# Winner: Kia Rio/Rio5
# Runners-up: Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent
Compact car
# Winner: Honda Civic
# Runners-up: Toyota Corolla, Hyundai Elantra sedan
Compact sporty car
# Winner: Mazda MX-5 Miata
# Runners-up: Scion tC, Subaru Impreza
Compact premium sporty car
# Winner: Porsche Boxster
# Runners-up: Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class, Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class
Entry premium car
# Winner: Lincoln MKZ
# Runners-up: Acura TSX, Cadillac CTS
Midsize premium car
# Winner: Mercedes-Benz E-Class
# Runners-up: Lexus GS 350/GS 430/GS 450H; Infiniti M-Series, Volvo S80 (tie)
Large premium car
# Winners: Audi A8, Mercedes-Benz S-Class (tie)
# Runner-up: Lexus LS 460
Premium sporty car
# Winner: Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
# Runners-up: Porsche 911, Lexus SC 430
Midsize sporty car
# Winner: Ford Mustang
# Runners-up: Toyota Solara, Chevrolet Monte Carlo
Midsize car
# Winner: Mercury Milan
# Runners-up: Honda Accord; Ford Fusion, Mitsubishi Galant (tie)
Large car
# Winner: Pontiac Grand Prix
# Runners-up: Toyota Avalon; Ford Five Hundred, Mercury Montego (tie)
Compact SUV
# Winner: Honda CR-V
# Runner-up: Nissan Xterra, Hyundai Tucson
Midsize SUV
# Winner: Toyota 4Runner
# Runners-up: Toyota Highlander, Mercury Mountaineer
Large SUV
# Winner: Toyota Sequoia
# Runners-up: Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Yukon
Midsize premium SUV
# Winner: Lexus RX 350/RX 400h
# Runners-up: Lincoln MKX, Lexus GX 470
Large premium SUV
# Winner: Lincoln Mark LT
# Runners-up: Lincoln Navigator, Hummer H2
Large pickup
# Winner: Chevrolet Silverado Classic HD
# Runners-up: Ford F-150 LD, GMC Sierra LD
Midsize pickup
# Winner: Toyota Tacoma
# Runners-up: Honda Ridgeline, Dodge Dakota
Van
# Winner: Chevrolet Express
# Runners-up: Kia Sedona, Ford E-Series
Source: J.D. Power and Associates

 

Still unsure about Lincoln's long term quality, but yeah their initial quality looks pretty good. A lot of the newer Lincoln's I sat in at this year's NY Auto Show were very nice. The new SUV, the MKX, looked sweet on the inside.

 

<----- waiting for 2007 Vehicle Dependability Study.

 

what da hell happened to mazda? is it because of the new suvs?

 

acura is below average now? i knew their quality isnt as good as before but didnt think it would be below average....

 

This list changes too drastically every year for me to take it seriously.

 

Yeah same here. did anyone else notice that this is pretty much the opposite of what CR had?

 

Honda-108 but Acura-130?

 

..and MB way up there?

Poor Land Rover

 

wasn't subaru top 5 last year?

 

BUT for example:

the Mercury Milan may be ranked high... but how many of those are actually sold to began with? It may have less problems then some other cars, but maybe because there are less complaints due to the fact that there are less of them on the road?

 

Thats generally the way it is for Honda/Acura. I think its because the expectations for Honda are lower. If your dash rattles in your Honda Civic - Most people wouldn't care. If your dash rattles in your Acura RL - I'll bet that more people would care and take it back to the dealer.

 

I always take this study with a grain of salt. It's long term reliability that's important to me. I'd rather have a rattle in the first month of ownership than my engine fall out at 60,000 miles.

 

Both my 05 Murano and 02 Maxima had an issue or two early on but, we have not had ANY trouble with them afterwards.

 

I'd like to know how long on average owners had the cars before they took this survey. Because to be honest, just about every vehicle looks really nice and solid when you're sitting in it on the showroom floor. And plus I think most people are too excited just about their new vehicle purchase for at least a few months to really find any nagging faults.

I think a survey after 4 - 5 years of ownership would be a much more accurate indication of quality.

 

The 4th paragraph says its 90 days which in my opinion so who cares if your car lasts 90 days it should I care more about can it last 90,000 miles.

 

Look at the results per manufacturer ... Mercedes is 5th (111) and Jaguar is 6th (112) . Weren't they close to the bottom due to all those numerous issues electronics issues? Did MB turn it around in less than 2 years? If so, bravo. If not ... something's not right.

My wife's 2007 TSX has been rock solid (knock on wood). Only thing holding it back is that it is a magnet for poor parkers (ie ding on rear bumper, and scratches due to fat people opening their door far too wide ... my wife is starting to park far away from the door like I am! )