The same month that Kelley Blue Book launched the 2010 Brand Image Awards, JD Power and Associates launches its 2010 US Vehicle Dependability Study.
How does the JD Power and Associates narrow down the list? After all, it seems as though all automakers like to believe their vehicle is dependable. To separate the dependable vehicles from the pretenders, JD Power and Associates measures the number of problems per 100 vehicles; surveying those who currently own 2007 models they purchased.
A lower score (fewer problems per 100) reflects higher quality. There are eight categories that determined dependability:
- Vehicle Exterior
- The Driving Experience
- Features, Controls and Displays
- Audio, Entertainment and Navigation
- Seats
- Heating, Ventilation and Cooling
- Vehicle Interior
- Engine and Transmission
Despite recent events, Toyota and Honda both lived up to their reputation. That’s pretty impressive for Toyota to continue winning awards despite their current problems. For Toyota the Highlander, Prius, Sequoia, and Tundra were winners of their category while people still continue to buy Toyota products. For Honda the CR-V, Fit, and Ridgeline all won their category. Following up closely, Lincoln had two models do well, the Mark LT and MKZ. According to Los Angeles Audi, rounding out the category winners with one vehicle apiece were Audi, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, Lexus, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, and Mercury.
It’s not easy to portray dependability, but it can be done. David Sargent, vice president of global vehicle research at JD Power and Associates, suggests three ideas to help foster perception of high quality within the market. To do so, he recommends to (1) enhance the interior; make its appearance classy and show that the vehicle is built to last, (2) offer extended warranties; by standing behind your product, the consumer will see your confidence in the vehicle and, most importantly, that confidence is contagious, and lastly, (3) use Social Media properly to introduce your newly enhanced vehicle that is more dependable than the previous ones.
Dealers of used trucks and SUVs in the Tacoma Washington area, for example, are paying particular attention to studies such as this, as they will have a direct impact on the resale value of pre-owned vehicles.
We’ve broken down the information into two segments for you: one list of winners by category and the overall ranking in the study.
Here is a list of the top 3 winners by category:
Sub-Compact Car
- Honda Fit
- Toyota Yaris
- Hyundai Accent
Compact Car
- Toyota Prius
- Toyota Corolla
- Pontiac Vibe
Midsize Car
- Buick LaCrosse
- Mercury Milan
- Honda Accord
Large Car
- Mercury Montego (tie)
- Buick Lucerne, Ford Five Hundred
Entry Premium Vehicle
- Lincoln MKZ
- Acura TSX
- Cadillac CTS
Midsize Premium Car
- Audi A6
- Lexus ES 350 (tie) Cadillac STS, Infiniti M-Series
Large Premium Car
- Cadillac DTS
- Lexus LS 460
- No third vehicle was above the industry average
Premium Sporty Car
- Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
- Porsche 911
- No third vehicle was above the industry average
Compact SUV
- Honda CR-V
- Subaru Forester
- Hyundai Tucson
Midsize SUV
- Toyota Highlander
- Toyota 4Runner
- Ford Freestyle
Large SUV
- Toyota Sequoia
- GMC Yukon
- Ford Expedition
Large Pickup
- Toyota Tundra
- Ford F-150 LD
- Chevrolet Silverado Classic HD
Midsize Pickup
- Honda Ridgeline
- Dodge Dakota
- Ford Ranger
Midsize Van
- Ford Freestar
- Toyota Sienna
- Tie between Buick Terraza and Chrysler Town & Country
Midsize Premium SUV
- Lexus GX 470
- Lexus RX
- Infiniti FX-Series
Large Premium SUV
- Lincoln Mark LT
- Lincoln Navigator
- Cadillac Escalade EXT
Complete listing of the automakers with the fewest problems per 100 vehicles:
- Porsche: 110
- Lincoln: 114
- Buick: 115
- Lexus: 115
- Mercury: 121
- Toyota: 128
- Honda: 132
- Ford: 141
- Mercedes-Benz: 142
- Acura: 143
- Hyundai: 148
- Cadillac: 150
- Infiniti: 150
- Subaru: 155
–Industry Average: 155–
- Saab: 158
- Saturn: 164
- BMW: 165
- GMC: 165
- Chrysler: 166
- Kia: 167
- Volvo: 167
- Hummer: 169
- Jaguar: 175
- Chevrolet: 176
- Nissan: 180
- Audi: 182
- Dodge: 190
- Pontiac: 192
- Mazda: 195
- Scion: 201
- Mitsubishi: 202
- Mini: 203
- Jeep: 222
- Volkswagen: 225
- Suzuki: 253
- Land Rover: 255
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