J.D. POWER SURVEY: U.S. buyers find more pleasure in foreign cars
European mass-market vehicles, Japanese luxury brands favored
Oct 08, 2003
Detroit Free Press


While the Detroit automakers continue to appeal to buyers of big pickups and sport-utility vehicles, most American consumers prefer European mass-market vehicles and Japanese luxury brands, according to J.D. Power and Associates' annual study of owners' delight in the content, layout and performance of their new vehicles.

The APEAL study -- which stands for Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout -- is essentially a measure of things gone right. This differs from most J.D. Power surveys, which generally probe car and truck buyers for what went wrong.

Sports and luxury carmakers Porsche AG and BMW AG ranked highest, followed by Volkswagen AG and the Japanese Big Three -- Honda Motor Co., Nissan Motor Co. and Toyota Motor Corp.

Not only did General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and DaimlerChrysler AG rank below average, they also trailed Hyundai Motor Co., the entry-level automaker.

With a new powertrain on the Santa Fe SUV and a face-lift to the Sonata sedan, the Korean automaker is raising its profile.

"Each new launch seems to be a home run," said Joe Ivers, a J.D. Power executive director. "Hyundai is clearly producing vehicles now that are not just the utility vehicles that they were when they first launched their franchise. They are moving more mainstream and being very successful at it."

Ford and GM each had two vehicle-category winners. DaimlerChrysler, including Mercedes, did not win any. Ford's Mercury Marauder was named top full-size car, and its Excursion was the highest ranking full-size SUV. The Cadillac Escalade EXT was the highest-ranking full-size pickup, and the GMC Savana was the top full-size van.

Although no Mercedes vehicles topped their categories, the Mercedes-Benz nameplate tied Cadillac as the fifth most appealing brand.

The study found that non-luxury European brands far exceed Japanese, Korean and Detroit brands in exterior styling, cockpit and instrument panel, ride, handling and braking.

But Japanese luxury brands, such as Lexus, Infiniti and Acura, enjoy moderate advantages in the interior, including sound system, heating and cooling, and seats.

"Traditionally they've done very well in minimizing things gone wrong, in our initial quality and dependability studies," said Ivers. "But it is pretty clear that they have been focusing on things gone right, particularly in the luxury end of the market."

__________________
Zafar
94 E320 58000 Miles

In the Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout study, MB should have scored higher, above BMW and VW.

__________________
Zafar
94 E320 58000 Miles

I think BMW deserves the first place, glad to see that.

Hyundai ???????
I'd rather have my left testicle removed with a dull knife, than drive one of these.

__________________
2007 C 230 Sport.

What about the right one?

__________________
Mike Murrell
1991 300-SEL - Model 126
M103 - SOHC
"Fräulein"

If you guys remember, J.D. Powers also found the Pontiac Aztec to be the "most appealing mid-siz SUV" last year as well.

J.D. Power also ranked the Hummer H2 dead last (or near last) in its Initial Quality ranking.

Why?

Owners of these cars were surprised at the poor gas mileage.

Poor gas mileage has nothing to do with quality! It is what it is.

It seems that since the gross vehicle weight is so high on H2's, that they are not required to post the MPG on the window sticker.

__________________
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".

Mike

Let's not get too personal here.

__________________
2007 C 230 Sport.

In regards to the H2, it is a P*.O*.S*! All it is a moneymaker for GM, a truck that is essentially an oversized Tahoe loaded up with goodies for comfort and so-called off-road ability. GM has found it so lucrative that they will introduce an H3, based on the Trailblazer. What a disgrace to a decent work off roader, the H1. If you want a quality off roader with a real heritage and real abilities, than purchase a Land Rover Defender or a Mercedes Gelendelwagen.

___________________
1995 MB E320 Wagon, 41k
1992 Land Rover Range Rover County, 186k
1996 Volvo 960 Wagon, 105k
1996 Ford "Exploder" Limited 2wd, 132k
1982 Volvo 240 GL Diesel, 157k (61k on new gas engine conv.)

The things people complain about KILLS me. Toyota had complaints about Corolla engines "ticking" after turning them off. I laughed my A$$ off! All cars I've owned have done that! It's called "expansion and contraction" of metal parts. Morons!

Honda had some from people that would try to re-start their running cars. Honda made their cars TOO quiet, and people couldn't tell the engine was running and would grind the starter. Quality problem?

There are lots of complaints about brake problems in the five year surveys. Seems those pesky pads and rotors WEAR OUT! Imagine the nerve of automakers not installing brakes-for-life in their cars.

It goes on and on like that.

__________________
John Shellenberg
1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4050/tophat6.gif

manny
"Hyundai ???????
I'd rather have my left testicle removed with a dull knife, than drive one of these."

Have you driven a new one lately? I just drove there top of the line model. While it is a cheap car it felt surpris'ingly well built. The V6 pulled hard and it handled nicely for what it was. I wouldn't buy one yet, it still felt cheap, but give them 5 more years and I bet they are on par with the Japanese big 3.

Hatterasguy

Yes, I have driven several.
You remind me of all the car magazines that test & " evaluate " new cars.
They rant & rave about the attributes, and a few years later refer to the same vehicle as " that p.o.s. ".
Most anything new can make a good impression, only time will tell in the long term.
You get what you pay for, and in my opinion, nobody can built anything, that stands the test of time, cheaply.

__________________
2007 C 230 Sport.

Very true statement manny.