The Best And Worst New Cars

Here is how specific brands ranked in J.D. Power and Associates' annual initial quality survey.

The study is based on responses from more than 52,000 people who bought or leased new 2003 cars and trucks.

The survey is done in the first 90 days of ownership. The figures represent the number of problems per 100 vehicles:

Lexus 76
Cadillac 103
Infiniti 110
Acura 111
Buick 112
Mercury 113
Porsche 117
BMW 118
Toyota 121
Jaguar 122
Honda 128
Volvo 128
Chevrolet 130
Audi 132
Mercedes-Benz 132
INDUSTRY AVERAGE 133
Oldsmobile 134
Chrysler 136
Ford 136
Dodge 137
Lincoln 139
Nissan 139
Pontiac 142
Hyundai 143
Volkswagen 143
GMC 144
Suzuki 144
Jeep 146
Subaru 146
Mazda 148
Mitsubishi 148
Saturn 158
Saab 160
Mini 166
Kia 168
Land Rover 190
Hummer 225

Note: Rankings exclude Isuzu because of an insufficient sample.



Lexus Tops The List While Hummer Is Dead Last

May 7, 2003 7:56 am US/Eastern
DETROIT (CBS) For the first time in five years, the average quality of new cars and trucks failed to improve this year, while domestic automakers continued to gain ground on foreign brands, according to a closely watched study of 2003 models.

Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc. repeated as the automaker with the highest overall initial quality, recording an average of 115 problems per 100 vehicles, eight more than last year, according to the annual report released Tuesday from J.D. Power and Associates.

Toyota's Lexus brand was tops among all nameplates with 76 problems per 100 vehicles, 27 fewer than No. 2 Cadillac. Nissan's Infiniti brand placed No. 3 on the list just 7 behind Cadillac.

``We're passionate about building quality into our vehicles,'' said Mark Templin, a Lexus vice president. ``This study is one of the leading indications that our efforts are effective.''

Among manufacturers, Toyota was followed by Porsche Cars North America Inc. (117), BMW of North America (124) and American Honda Motor Co. (126).

Those were the only automakers to score better than the industry average of 133 problems per 100 vehicles. That matched last year's performance. The industry as a whole showed steady improvement between 1998 and 2002, posting an average annual quality improvement of 6.7 percent.

``The initial quality drive for improvement among some manufacturers has been stalled by new-model launches that were especially challenging,'' said Joe Ivers, J.D. Power's executive director of quality and customer satisfaction.

The study, in its 17th year, is based on responses from more than 52,000 people who bought or leased new 2003 cars and trucks. Surveys were done in the first 90 days of ownership.

Among Detroit's Big Three automakers, General Motors Corp. fared best, with 134 problems per 100 vehicles. That compared with 130 problems last year. In a breakdown of nearly every nameplate available on the market, GM had two brands in the top five Cadillac (103) and Buick (112).

Gary Cowger, president of GM North America, said the results were impressive considering GM has launched 21 vehicles in the past year 44 percent of its production volume.

``It was risky and ambitious to launch such a high volume of vehicles, but it was also necessary in our successful bid to increase market share and profitability,'' Cowger said.

At the other end of the rankings, however, were GM brands Saturn (158), Saab (160) and, in dead last, Hummer (225).

``Hummer is new and it's got some bugs to work out, but in general they're probably resolvable,'' Ivers said.

Ford Motor Co. had 136 problems per 100 vehicles, an improvement from last year's 143. DaimlerChrysler was next with 139 problems, two fewer than last year.

With 135 problems, Nissan fell between GM and Ford.

Suzuki (144) was the most improved brand, improving 31 percent over last year, thanks largely to its successful launch of the all-new Aerio. Mercury (113), Kia (168) and Jaguar (122) improved 22 percent, 21 percent and 14 percent, respectively.

Toyota and Lexus models ranked highest in six vehicle segments, compact car, entry luxury car, mid luxury car, premium luxury car, mid-size SUV and luxury SUV. Ford brands were tops in five segments, GM in three and Honda and DaimlerChrysler in one each.

While domestic automakers trailed their European and Japanese counterparts by at least 19 problems per 100 vehicles five years ago, the domestics and Europeans are now equal. Both trail the Japanese companies by nine problems per 100 vehicles.

The study also showed that vehicles produced in Germany by BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen, and those produced in Japan by Honda, Mitsubishi, Nissan and Toyota had higher overall quality ratings than vehicles built in the automakers' North American plants.

``It's important to note that often these manufacturers build different models in North America, and that some of these designs may be more difficult to build,'' Ivers said. ``However, standardizing quality regardless of the model, platform or plant is becoming a core requirement of a global competitor.''

(© 2003 CBS Worldwide Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report. )

 

Woohoo, we bested Hyundai I thought Saturns were suppose to be good appliances?

 

Appliances is right! But I was hoping for a better than avg showing for Audi.

 

Overall, not a horrible showing. Still "better than average".

 

You can be thankful for a better showing than Saab and on par with Merc

 

Oh don't get me wrong I'm still happy for a good showing, but WTF happened with Saab!

 

I wonder how much the specific factories play into it. GM has a lot of factories spread all over the place while the German companys tend to have more consolidation.

 

probaby a lot of those complaints are for minor items, considering the complexities of new cars, especially at the high end of the market, not bad figures.

 

It must get tougher and tougher to lower defects and problems while increasing the complexity and features in luxury cars. Better technology helps but the more you add the more complex the car can get unless your designers are really good at integrating it

On top of that luxury car owners have high expectations to begin with. Looking back at the only luxury brands below average are Lincoln and Rover. Not bad.

 

You may not want to drive them or look at them, but everything will work when you buy them.

The ranking for the Mini is disappointing. Land Rover is a disgrace.