http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060809/ap_on_bi_ge/autos_dependability_1

Japan's Toyota Motor Corp. won top honors in eight categories of a closely watched vehicle dependability study, more than any other company, while mainstream brands closed in on luxury nameplates, J.D. Power and Associates said Wednesday.

Lexus, Toyota's luxury brand, was the top-ranked nameplate for the 12th consecutive year. It was followed by Ford Motor Co.'s Mercury and General Motors Corp.'s Buick and Cadillac.

Last-place Land Rover, which is owned by Ford, lagged far behind the second-to-last brand, Saab, which is owned by GM. Land Rover owners reported 438 problems per 100 vehicles, while Saab owners reported 326.

For the study, Westlake Village, Calif.-based J.D. Power questions owners of three-year-old vehicles about problems they are experiencing. This year's survey questioned 47,620 original owners of 2003 model-year cars and trucks

wow... every single Lexus model made it into the top 3 for its segment. :woohoo:

Official link:
http://www.jdpower.com/corporate/news/releases/pressrelease.asp?ID=2006133

Official video:
http://www.jdpower.com/corporate/library/videos/vds06.asp

Official PR:
J.D. Power and Associates Reports:
The Vehicle Dependability Gap between Luxury and Higher-Volume Brands
Narrows Significantly

Lexus and Toyota Models Each Rank Highest in Four Segments; Honda Models Rank
Highest in Three Segments

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.: 9 August 2006 — The gap in long-term quality between luxury and non-luxury brands has been cut in half during the past four years, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Vehicle Dependability StudySM (VDS) released today.

The study, which measures problems experienced by original owners of 3-year-old (2003 model-year) vehicles, finds that there is an ever-smaller gap in reported problems between luxury and higher-volume brands—averaging 15 PP100, down from 31 PP100 in 2003. Quality improvements with non-luxury brands are seen primarily in two categories—ride, handling, braking, and engine and transmission—which both have a strong impact on customer satisfaction.

The presence of several non-luxury brands among the top-ranking brands in the industry further underscores the shrinking dependability gap between luxury and non-luxury brands. While Lexus is the top-ranking brand in vehicle dependability for a 12th consecutive year and luxury-make Cadillac ranks fourth, three of the top five-ranking brands in vehicle dependability are non-luxury makes. Mercury and Buick, respectively, follow Lexus in the brand rankings, and Toyota ranks fifth.

“The industry continues to make improvements in long-term vehicle quality, and not just among luxury makes that benefit from smaller production volumes on the assembly line,” said Neal Oddes, director of product research and analysis for J.D. Power and Associates. “Many high-volume, mass-marketed brands have acquired a foundation of quality products from which to challenge the normally strong performances of the luxury brands. What this means for consumers is that they don’t necessarily have to spend a lot of money to get a high-quality used vehicle, and vehicles with high long-term dependability ratings retain more of their original value than brands with lower dependability ratings. This pays off for the consumer when it’s time to trade in their vehicle.”

The benefits of strong vehicle dependability are particularly high for manufacturers. In addition to retaining their value better, brands that perform well in VDS have higher levels of owner recommendation and repurchase intent, and increased sales volumes compared to brands with average to poor dependability ratings. According to actual retail transaction data from the Power Information Network, a division of J.D. Power and Associates, sales made to loyal customers—those who trade in the same nameplate as the one they purchase—result in an average vehicle gross of $250 more per sale than those made to non-loyal customers. Additionally, vehicles with high levels of reported problems have higher rates of failure of vehicle components such as brake pads, brake rotors and batteries, which is costly to manufacturers if the failure occurs while the vehicle is still under warranty.

“Perceptions about dependability can have a tremendous impact on an owner’s satisfaction with their vehicle, which is no small matter for manufacturers,” said Oddes. “In terms of retained value, recommendation and repurchase intent, and component replacement, vehicle dependability can have a direct impact on a manufacturer’s bottom line.”

Lexus, Toyota and Honda models dominate the segment rankings. Lexus models lead in four segments: GS 300/GS 430 (midsize premium car), LS 430 (large premium car), SC 430 (premium sporty car) and GX 470 (midsize premium MAV). Four Toyota models also lead in their respective segments: Echo (sub-compact car), RAV4 (compact MAV), Highlander (midsize MAV) and Tundra (large pickup). Honda models rank highest in three segments: Civic (compact car), S2000 (compact premium sporty car) and Odyssey (van). Models by Acura, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, Mazda, Mercury and GMC each rank highest in one segment.

MINI and Kia are the most improved brands in the study, although both continue to rank below the industry average. MINI, which was first included in the VDS in 2005, earns a 103 PP100 (27 percent) year-over-year improvement. Kia has improved twice as much as any other brand in the past three years, improving 87 PP100 (22 percent) from 2005.

The 2006 Vehicle Dependability Study is based on responses from 47,620 original owners of 2003 model-year vehicles. For more information on vehicle ratings, visit the J.D. Power Consumer Center at www.jdpower.com.

Official PDF:
http://www.jdpower.com/corporate/news/releases/pdf/2006133.pdf

Converted to images for your viewing convenience:;)
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So im confused, they are saying that mercury and buick and caddy, are all better quality than toyota, honda blah blah blah? Or am i not reading it right?

So im confused, they are saying that mercury and buick and caddy, are all better quality than toyota, honda blah blah blah? Or am i not reading it right?
I'm surprised too, I'd think Toyota Camry would at least place in Midsize car. What happened?? My thought is sales for Century, Regal and Sable are so low there's not many that complain and the owners are probably old and don't drive much.

So im confused, they are saying that mercury and buick and caddy, are all better quality than toyota, honda blah blah blah? Or am i not reading it right?
yep... of course, those are premium brands like Lexus, not like Toyota... Toyota is ranked better than last year, and is top ranked non-premium brand...

I feel bad for the people who purchase Land Rovers...

I feel bad for the people who purchase Land Rovers...Yeah, don't they top the chart with the longest bar by a landslide.:p

What baffles me is how Ford manages to bring Jaguar from the bottom of the dependability chart to well above average, while not being able to do the same to the other British brand they own. :dunno:

There were new Oldsmobile models in 2003??

Another Lexus domination list. :thumbup:

Nice to see the industry average getting better.

Really nice to see jaguar in the top 10. :thumbup:

Porsche for the nosedive. Ouch. What happened?? Maybe it was all the first year Cayenne models.

http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/business/index.ssf?/base/business-66/115515488489060.xml&storylist=autonews2

Will,

We have a 'car chat' section for generic Lexus (and other brand) posts like these please.

Yup, it was on the news yesterday :thumbup: :thumbup:

It's odd to see the different brands by GM all ranking so differently in quality studies.

Cadillac & Buick rank very well near the top of the list. Then you have Saab at the bottom of the list with other divisions scattered everywhere else. Frankly, I'm still suprised to see Buick up there for a few years straight now.

Repost.:)
http://www.clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=232103

excellent results by lexus again, which is nothing surprising anymore. i am a bit surprised about toyota that their dependability is below the 3 domestic companies. bmw is about the same, and funny how mb continues to be quite a bit below the average, considering that they are supposed to be premium brand.... i am quite surprised about audi as well, pretty disappointing. and those with land rover? boy, talk about best way to waste your money...

maybe buick and mercury drivers are too old/blind/deaf to noticed defects therefore dont report them

i kidddd (its possible)

maybe buick and mercury drivers are too old/blind/deaf to noticed defects therefore dont report them

i kidddd (its possible)
they are luxury brands that sell more expensive vehicles, so you dont compare them to full lineup normal brands like Toyota...

they are luxury brands that sell more expensive vehicles, so you dont compare them to full lineup normal brands like Toyota...

Buick and Mercury are luxury brands? :uh:

Buick and Mercury are luxury brands? :uh:

I wouldn't classify Mercury as a full luxury line. It's more mid-luxury. Lincoln is the luxury division of Ford.

Same for Buick, it's more mid-luxury whereas Cadillac is the luxury division of GM...

Buick and Mercury are luxury brands? :uh:

well sure... if Acura is, then they are as well...
Point is that they dont have cheap car in reality, while Toyota and other full lineup manufacturers have a lot of cars under 20k.

That's my boys :thumbup:

Jonny

2 big observations.
The other 2 cars with Lexus in the entry level luxury category are discontinued, the Acura CL and I35.

The ES 300 was in the midsize category with the GS, so 2 Lexus were winners in the same category.