Filed under: Trends, Etc., Plants/Manufacturing, Cadillac, Honda, Infiniti, Lexus, Porsche, Suzuki
Lexus leads, Hyundai improves, while Infiniti drops in J.D. Power 2009 Initial Quality Study
by Michael Harley on Jun 22nd 2009 at 1:00PM 
Click above for a gallery of the graphtastic images from J.D. Power and Associates
J.D. Power and Associates has released its 2009 Initial Quality Study (IQS) and Lexus has taken the top spot away from Porsche, the initial quality leader for the past three years. 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.
This year, the industry average is 108 PP100, demonstrating a steady improvement from 118 PP100 in 2008, and 125 PP100 in 2007. In addition to the marked improvement by the industry overall, many brands continued to perform well in 2009. Following Lexus and Porsche is Cadillac (which moves from 10th rank position in 2008 to third in 2009), Hyundai (jumping from 13th rank position in 2008 to 4th in 2009) and Honda (up from 7th in 2008 to 5th in 2009). Infiniti, second in last year's study, drops to 11th overall, while Suzuki posts the largest improvement in ranking, moving from 32nd place in 2008 to 9th in 2009. The complete J.D. Power press release and charts can be found after the jump and in the gallery below.
Gallery: 2009 J.D. Power IQS Results
[Source: J.D. Power and Associates]
PRESS RELEASE
J.D. Power and Associates Reports: Embattled U.S. Automakers Make Substantial Gains in Initial Quality, Outpacing Industry-Wide Improvement while Quality Gap Continues to Narrow, Import Nameplates Capture 15 of 22 Segment Awards
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.: June 22, 2009- New vehicles sold by Chrysler, Ford and GM's domestic brands have improved in initial quality by an average of 10 percent, compared with 2008, surpassing the 8-percent rate of improvement by the industry overall, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Initial Quality StudySM (IQS) released today.
Overall, the industry average for initial quality is 108 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) in 2009, down from 118 PP100 in 2008. Initial quality for domestic brands has improved to an average of 112 PP100 in 2009 from 124 PP100 in 2008. Lower PP100 scores indicate a lower rate of problem incidences and higher quality.
Even in the face of unprecedented challenges, the Detroit automakers are keeping their focus on designing and building high-quality vehicles, which is a precondition for long-term success," said David Sargent, vice president of automotive research at J.D. Power and Associates. "High quality generally translates into reduced re-engineering costs and lower warranty expenses during a vehicle's life cycle. High quality also enhances an automaker's reputation for reliability, which is a critical purchase consideration for many consumers."
In addition to the marked improvement by domestic automakers, many import brands continued to perform well in 2009. Lexus leads the overall nameplate rankings, averaging 84 PP100. Following in the rankings are Porsche, Cadillac (which moves from 10th rank position in 2008 to third in 2009), Hyundai (improves from 13th rank position in 2008 to fourth in 2009) and Honda, rounding out the top five. Suzuki posts the largest improvement in ranking, moving from 32nd place in 2008 to ninth in 2009.
The study finds that initial quality for newly launched and redesigned models in 2009 has improved compared with previous years. Historically, all-new models have typically launched with below-average levels of initial quality. However, several all-new models in 2009, including the Hyundai Genesis, Kia Borrego, Toyota Venza and Volkswagen CC, perform considerably better than their respective segment averages. Many redesigned models in 2009 also show notable improvement from the previous generation-particularly the Acura TL, Ford F-150, Honda Pilot and Nissan Z.
"Achieving high levels of initial quality in all-new models is one of the greatest challenges for manufacturers," said Sargent. "Now that more manufacturers are getting their launch quality right straight out of the gate, consumers can expect the quality of new vehicles to continue to rise."
The Initial Quality Study serves as the industry benchmark for new-vehicle quality measured at 90 days of ownership. The study is used extensively by manufacturers worldwide to help them design and build better vehicles and by consumers to help them in their vehicle purchase decisions. Initial quality has been shown over the years to be an excellent predictor of long-term durability, which can significantly impact consumer purchase decisions. The study captures problems experienced by owners in two distinct categories-design-related problems and defects and malfunctions.
2009 IQS Ranking Highlights
Toyota Motor Corporation captures 10 segment awards-more than any other corporation in the 2009 study-including five for Lexus, four for Toyota and one for Scion. Lexus receives awards for the IS, GS, GX, LS and LX models. The Lexus LX has the fewest quality problems in the industry, with just 52 PP100. Toyota models receiving awards in their respective segments are the 4Runner (in a tie); Sienna; Tundra (in a tie); and Yaris.
Ford receives three awards for the Edge (in a tie); F-150 (in a tie); and Mustang. Garnering two awards each are Nissan (Altima and Z); and Honda (CR-V, in a tie, and Ridgeline).
Also receiving segment awards are: Chevrolet Trailblazer (in a tie), Chrysler PT Cruiser Wagon (in a tie), GMC Yukon, Hyundai Elantra Sedan, Mercury Sable and Scion tC.
Assembly Plant Awards
The Toyota Motor Corporation assembly plant in Higashi-Fuji, Japan, receives the Platinum Plant Quality Award for producing vehicles yielding the fewest defects and malfunctions. Averaging just 29 PP100, the plant produces the Lexus SC 430 and Toyota Corolla. Plant awards are based solely on average levels of defects and malfunctions and exclude design-related problems.
Among North and South American plants, the Honda plant in East Liberty, Ohio, which produces the Civic Sedan, CR-V and Element, achieves the Gold Plant Quality Award.
In the Europe and Africa region, Daimler's East London, South Africa, plant, which produces the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, receives the Gold Plant Quality Award.
The 2009 Initial Quality Study is based on responses from more than 80,900 purchasers and lessees of new 2009 model-year cars, trucks and multi-activity vehicles surveyed after 90 days of ownership. The study is based on a 228-question battery designed to provide manufacturers with information to facilitate identifying problems and drive product improvement. The study was fielded between February and May 2009.
Find more detailed results on new-vehicle quality performance as well as model photos and specs by watching a video, reading an article and reviewing quality ratings at JDPower.com.
About J.D. Power and Associates
Headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., J.D. Power and Associates is a global marketing information services company operating in key business sectors including market research, forecasting, performance improvement, Web intelligence and customer satisfaction. For more information on car reviews and ratings, car insurance, health insurance, cell phone ratings, and more, please visit JDPower.com. J.D. Power and Associates is a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies.
About The McGraw-Hill Companies
Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP) is a leading global information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial services, education and business information markets through leading brands such as Standard & Poor's, McGraw-Hill Education, BusinessWeek and J.D. Power and Associates. The Corporation has more than 280 offices in 40 countries. Sales in 2008 were $6.4 billion. Additional information is available at http://www.mcgraw-hill.com.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Swede 1:08PM (6/22/2009)
"JD Powers" means "pointless" in Swedish.
Reply
zamafir 1:20PM (6/22/2009)
Oh i dunno, it's interesting Infiniti dropped, I spent some time with the G37 and was surprised at how much the car didn't improve over the G35, the faux cheap plastic 'metal' inside feeling like a regression.
And as Jared points out, props to VW.
Yaroukh 1:22PM (6/22/2009)
Oh, that -4th rank must hurt.
Tool 1:32PM (6/22/2009)
Can you imagine what Honda and Toyota are going through this morning? To be beaten by Hyundai in the one area -- quality -- where Honda/Toyota used to be bullet-proof has got to be a little unsettling.
Also, I read that Hyundai and Kia combined (they are both owned by Hyundai) market share is 7.3% so far this year. Hyundai is out-Toyotaing Toyota.
psu48187 1:56PM (6/22/2009)
@ zamafir: That is real aluminum trim on the dash and center stack. Furthermore, what were you expecting the redesigned G37 went on sale in 2007. The G's interior is no worse than anything else in its class.
zamafir 2:06PM (6/22/2009)
It's worse than the A4 and the 3 series, in every way. The NES controller DPAD interface on the multimedia system, the cheap seat heater buttons, the myriad of hard black plastic, i'm keen now to get a piece of that trim off as you're asserting it's really metal, it feels nothing like the engine spun aluminum, or brushed aluminum I've felt in other luxury cars, the oddly placed buttons around the cowling.
Yes, the interior is worse than what BMW and Audi offer. I suspect Infiniti's brief was to create something a bit better than the altima's interior, which still fails to meet the bar set by everyone else. The engine's great, it's an entertaining drive, but the interior is clearly lacking. Go put one next to a similarly priced 3 series and A4, go spend a week in each, then attempt to explain away the 'metal' trim, the oddly dampened knobs, the window regulator switch gear that feels like it's plucked from a versa, the tiny gear knob with easily marred 'metal' accents and most amusingly the 80s era nes dpad.
Defending the Infiniti’s interior is like defending an A4’s insulated driving qualities, it’s an area the car pales in comparison to others, plain and simple.
anonymous j 2:59PM (6/22/2009)
Worse than A4 interior yes, don't know about being worse than the 3 tho cause the 3's interior isn't anything special itself.
sparrk 6:57PM (6/22/2009)
this just proves how full of crap these studies are , a month or two ago Jaguar and Buick were on top , now they are nowhere near it. and VW was at the bottom.
tuxchown 7:02PM (6/22/2009)
sparrk - Do not confuse the JD Power Initial Quality Study with the JD Power Vehicle Dependability Study. They are completely different.
Aki 1:09PM (6/22/2009)
Whiting out the bottom to force another click-through is a cheap, transparent move autoblog.
Reply
XJ 1:11PM (6/22/2009)
Yet, so effective.
Yaroukh 2:07PM (6/22/2009)
Either way the list would not be complete on the main-page so you would probably clicked anyways. And with the fade-out it is straightaway obvious that the list is not complete on the main page.
Aki 2:11PM (6/22/2009)
Except before, autoblog DID include the whole JD power list on the post. They never snipped it off. They're doing that only now because they want additional click-throughs.
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/04/j-dd-power-releases-2008-initial-quality-study/
Yaroukh 2:20PM (6/22/2009)
@Aki: oh sorry, i'm stupid, i thought you were speaking about the overview/main page
my bad
chconline 1:13PM (6/22/2009)
I don't really see the point of these studies. If a manufacturer can't get a car that's good for the first 90 days, then they should really go back to the drawing board and stop their production lines for a while.
Reply
Jared 1:16PM (6/22/2009)
Big improvement for VW. That's good news.
Reply
yournamehere6785 1:49PM (6/22/2009)
seriously! right behind Acura and Nissan. Go VW!
Bubba 3:31PM (6/22/2009)
Up 12% over last year
2007: 160
2008: 128
2009: 112
Brent 6:54PM (6/22/2009)
Suzuki made a huge jump.
waiownsyou 1:20PM (6/22/2009)
You know companies are losing their prowess when Hyundai does better than Mercedes, BMW, Acura, Infiniti, and more. GO HYUNDAI
Reply