Volkswagen Ranks Tops In Ownership Experience
07-01-09, 02:24 AM
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Volkswagen Ranks Tops In Ownership Experience
Many of Volkswagen's new vehicles continue to be rated worse-than-average by Consumer Reports in reliability, below the industry average in J.D. Power's annual Initial Quality Survey (the latest just released last week), and near the bottom in post-sales service, as gauged by Power's latest annual Customer Service Index (CSI).
Yet, as the latest Total Quality Index from Strategic Vision suggests, Volkswagen owners are among the happiest with the ownership experience. VW placed at the top of the 2009 TQI rankings, along with Ford.
Across the various segments that Strategic Vision breaks models into, Volkswagen had the greatest number of model leaders, for quality of the entire ownership experience, than any other brand—including Jetta, New Beetle, Rabbit, and the new 2009 Tiguan and 2009 CC.
Ford only had one segment leader, the Focus, but the automaker posted a high overall score. Also today, AutoPacific placed Ford at the top among mainstream brands in its Ideal Vehicle Awards. Last year the Michigan automaker tied with Toyota for Strategic Vision's top TQI spot, and the firm noted the automaker's comeback in quality, and brand equity.
GM actually had four segment leaders: Pontiac G8, GMC Envoy, GMC Yukon XL, and Chevrolet Corvette. Its Saturn and Pontiac brands—both no longer part of the automaker's future-product plan—were tied for having the best TQI scores in their price segment.
The new 2009 Dodge Ram was another noteworthy high achiever in the 2009 TQI—earning the highest score of any truck over the 15-year history of the study, along with kudos for its interior and storage capability.
The Total Quality Index is different than most other metrics as it has buyers rate all aspects of the ownership experience, rather than counting specific problems at the vehicle or dealership level. "In today's difficult market, the difference between products that generate consideration, build brands and increase sales versus those that do not is often how much delight and love the product generates with its customers," said Dr. Darrel Edwards, the firm's chairman, in a release.
Strategic Vision points to MINI as another example of a brand that ranks high in perceived quality despite an above-average level of specific counted problems. In its price category, MINI is the highest-rated brand in TQI, and it's not surprising that MINI was one of two brands to post increase sales at the start of the recession.
The results are calculated from a survey of 20,101 buyers who purchased 2008 or 2009 model-year vehicles in September to December of 2008.
Here are the segment-by-segment winners (with repeat awards marked with an asterisk):
Small Car Ford Focus Sedan
Small Multi-Function (MFV) Volkswagen Rabbit
Medium Car Volkswagen Jetta*
Large Car Nissan Maxima / Pontiac G8
Near-Luxury Car Volkswagen CC / Audi A4 Sedan
Luxury Car Mercedes S-Class*
Small Specialty Coupe Volkswagen New Beetle
Premium Coupe Chevrolet Corvette
Minivan Honda Odyssey*
Entry Utility Volkswagen Tiguan
Medium Crossover Toyota Venza
Medium SUV GMC Envoy / Toyota 4Runner*
Large SUV GMC Yukon XL
Near-Luxury SUV Infiniti FX / Infiniti EX / BMW X3
Luxury SUV Land Rover Range Rover
Standard Pickup Honda Ridgeline*
Large Pickup Dodge Ram
Yet, as the latest Total Quality Index from Strategic Vision suggests, Volkswagen owners are among the happiest with the ownership experience. VW placed at the top of the 2009 TQI rankings, along with Ford.
Across the various segments that Strategic Vision breaks models into, Volkswagen had the greatest number of model leaders, for quality of the entire ownership experience, than any other brand—including Jetta, New Beetle, Rabbit, and the new 2009 Tiguan and 2009 CC.
Ford only had one segment leader, the Focus, but the automaker posted a high overall score. Also today, AutoPacific placed Ford at the top among mainstream brands in its Ideal Vehicle Awards. Last year the Michigan automaker tied with Toyota for Strategic Vision's top TQI spot, and the firm noted the automaker's comeback in quality, and brand equity.
GM actually had four segment leaders: Pontiac G8, GMC Envoy, GMC Yukon XL, and Chevrolet Corvette. Its Saturn and Pontiac brands—both no longer part of the automaker's future-product plan—were tied for having the best TQI scores in their price segment.
The new 2009 Dodge Ram was another noteworthy high achiever in the 2009 TQI—earning the highest score of any truck over the 15-year history of the study, along with kudos for its interior and storage capability.
The Total Quality Index is different than most other metrics as it has buyers rate all aspects of the ownership experience, rather than counting specific problems at the vehicle or dealership level. "In today's difficult market, the difference between products that generate consideration, build brands and increase sales versus those that do not is often how much delight and love the product generates with its customers," said Dr. Darrel Edwards, the firm's chairman, in a release.
Strategic Vision points to MINI as another example of a brand that ranks high in perceived quality despite an above-average level of specific counted problems. In its price category, MINI is the highest-rated brand in TQI, and it's not surprising that MINI was one of two brands to post increase sales at the start of the recession.
The results are calculated from a survey of 20,101 buyers who purchased 2008 or 2009 model-year vehicles in September to December of 2008.
Here are the segment-by-segment winners (with repeat awards marked with an asterisk):
Small Car Ford Focus Sedan
Small Multi-Function (MFV) Volkswagen Rabbit
Medium Car Volkswagen Jetta*
Large Car Nissan Maxima / Pontiac G8
Near-Luxury Car Volkswagen CC / Audi A4 Sedan
Luxury Car Mercedes S-Class*
Small Specialty Coupe Volkswagen New Beetle
Premium Coupe Chevrolet Corvette
Minivan Honda Odyssey*
Entry Utility Volkswagen Tiguan
Medium Crossover Toyota Venza
Medium SUV GMC Envoy / Toyota 4Runner*
Large SUV GMC Yukon XL
Near-Luxury SUV Infiniti FX / Infiniti EX / BMW X3
Luxury SUV Land Rover Range Rover
Standard Pickup Honda Ridgeline*
Large Pickup Dodge Ram
07-01-09, 09:29 AM
#7
Lexus Fanatic
Any survey or study that ranks Volkswagen number one or tops in Ownership Experience definitely cannot be trusted in any way. Volkswagen's are among the worst reliability wise and have some models that have ranked among the most unreliable vehicles you can buy in their segments. The Toureg took number one spot in several rankings as the most unreliable SUV. The Phaeton despite its low number of sales is still ranked as a very unreliable car. My dads coworker had to return a Pheaton just after a few days of ownership because it was a lemon and plagued with so many issues. My ex girlfriends 3 year old Jetta gives her constant problems ever since she bought it new. I don't know anyone nor talked to anyone who has had positive reliability experiences with a Volkswagen but many do still like them despite all the problems.
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07-01-09, 10:34 AM
#11
Lexus Test Driver
Any survey or study that ranks Volkswagen number one or tops in Ownership Experience definitely cannot be trusted in any way. Volkswagen's are among the worst reliability wise and have some models that have ranked among the most unreliable vehicles you can buy in their segments. The Toureg took number one spot in several rankings as the most unreliable SUV. The Phaeton despite its low number of sales is still ranked as a very unreliable car. My dads coworker had to return a Pheaton just after a few days of ownership because it was a lemon and plagued with so many issues. My ex girlfriends 3 year old Jetta gives her constant problems ever since she bought it new. I don't know anyone nor talked to anyone who has had positive reliability experiences with a Volkswagen but many do still like them despite all the problems.
07-01-09, 10:39 AM
#12
Super Moderator
Same for RR too, I've known a few RR owners since I was a boy, they have lots of problems with them, but they are almost afraid to say they paid way too much for a car they should be more satisfied with, they should just be happy they can afford them ...
07-01-09, 10:43 AM
#14
Lexus Test Driver
Exactly, and a VW Jetta compare to a Toyota Corolla, the Jetta feels like a Ferrari in that comparision. My point is that not everybody is satified with a reliable boring car.
07-01-09, 12:09 PM
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1SICK, you called it - just shows you how wide spread these so-called "results" are. I wouldn't base any of them in a place called "reality", including the JD Power and CR ones which are nearly unanimously hailed around here (like I said, becuase they like Lexus models - I am still waiting for the revolt when they start ranking them down).