Filed under: Car Buying, Etc., Plants/Manufacturing, Marketing/Advertising, Acura, Ford, Lexus, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota


J.D. Power and Associates has released its 2010 Initial Quality Study (IQS) and Porsche has earned back the top spot that was occupied by Lexus in last year's study. The annual J.D. Power study measures IQS based on problems reported per 100 vehicles (PP100) - a lower score means a lower rate of problem incidences and higher quality.

Domestic brands, as a whole, demonstrated higher initial quality than import brands for the first time in an IQS (impressive, as the company has been conducting the study for 24 years). "Domestic automakers have made impressive strides in steadily improving vehicle quality, particularly since 2007," said David Sargent, vice president of global vehicle research at J.D. Power and Associates. "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." According to J.D. Power, the industry average for initial quality is 109 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) in 2010 (that is a slight increase from 108 PP100 in 2009). However, initial quality for domestic brands as a whole has improved to an average of 108 PP100, slightly better than the initial quality of import brands, which average 109 PP100 in 2010.

Acura made an impressive improvement in the 2010 study. The automaker climbed from 111 PP100 in 2009 to just 86 PP100 in 2010, earning second spot just under Porsche (83 PP100). Mercedes-Benz (87 PP100) earned third position with Lexus (88 PP100) immediately following. Ford (93 PP100) and Lincoln (106 PP100) also earned Top 10 positions. Interestingly enough, Toyota (117 PP100) fell from its seventh position in 2009 to 21st in the 2010 study. The complete J.D. Power press release and charts can be found after the jump and in the gallery below.


Gallery: 2010 J.D. Power and Associates IQS



[Source: J.D. Power and Associates]Continue reading J.D. Power 2010 Initial Quality Study released, first time ever domestics lead imports

J.D. Power 2010 Initial Quality Study released, first time ever domestics lead imports originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Jun 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



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Autoblog
06-17-2010 02:00 PM

Am I an idiot, or does the title of the article seem wrong.?

Domestics aren't leading the 2010 JD Power IQ study.

Only Ford / Lincoln are the brands that are above the average. All the others are imports.

And they are behind Porsche, Lexus, Acura, and MB....that puts one domestic car company (Ford) in 5th place.

When is 5th place called "leading imports in quality"?

__________________
Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

What constitutes a "defect"? A balky ash tray? A loose thread?

One wonders.

__________________
62 220sb
67 250S
72 280SE 4.5
74 280C
77 300D
82 240D
85 190E 2.3
86 300E RIP 12/28/09
85 300SD
92 300D 2.5
00 E320 Current
Over 1,000,000 miles in Benzes, Since66

....and a whole passel of BMW 2002 and Tii

If "initial quality" was what I wanted in a car - I'd buy American.

What I want is "permanent value" in my car.

My "initial quality" starts after 5-years or so of ownership.

I believe MB delivers on it.

Excellent point. Hyundai cars have recently had good IQS scores, but how do they hold up after 5 years? I think their used car value tells the story.

It's the same thing about buying stocks or mutual funds. People look at the most recent quarterly statement from their brokerage company or 401K statement, instead of the 5 year, 10 year, or 15 year record.

That's what makes Warren Buffet so unique in investing. He understands the true meaning of long term investing. I have kept a quote from one of his annual shoreholder's meetings:


"… As investors, our reaction to money managers who trade stocks daily is much like our attitude toward space exploration. We applaud the endeavor but prefer to skip the ride. …Indeed ‘institutional investor’ is becoming one of those self-contradictions called an oxymoron, like ‘jumbo shrimp’, lady mud-wrestler’, and ‘inexpensive lawyer.’”

__________________
Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

All true.

My lifelong outlook on anything money can and cannot buy has evolved to this; what value is it to me over 10, 20, 30+ years. If some would reprioritize all of their acquisitions and pursuits, the state of their lives would be far, far better. If I don't want to live with, or own something for at least 10 years - it has no place in my life in the first place.

"Of Permanent Value," is the name of Andy Kilpatrick's book written in the '90's about Warren Buffett's business and living style. Andy lives (last I heard) down here in Birmingham, AL. - he was associated with the insurance business in some facet, and discovered and started following WB in Omaha. The phrase permanent value, is all encompassing - I use it frequently. Owning a MB fits right in to that belief system - at least it does to me. My current '99 MB I've owned 11 years in July. It's nowhere near becoming 'unvaluable' to me. In fact it's value to me increases every year I own/drive it.

I'm glad to see at least one American maker that is at least above the average even if they're not "leading" the imports. I agree with you Skin Row Joe. "Initial value" doesn't mean much to me. I keep cars for ten years on average.

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles