GM and Toyota Leaders In Overall Vehicle Quality

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Quote »General Motors and Toyota lead the way in overall vehicle quality, according to Power.General Motors and Toyota Motor Corporation, the two largest automakers in the world, put vehicles at the top in 15 of 18 possible segments in the latest Initial Quality Study (IQS) released by J.D. Power and Associates.Toyota was the most successful automaker in this study, with ten segment winners spread among the Toyota, Lexus and Scion brands. For the second year in a row, the Lexus SC 430 achieved the best score of all vehicles with only 54 problems reported per 100 vehicles (PP100).Five segments were led by GM brands, including the Chevrolet Malibu/Malibu Maxx in Entry Midsize Car, the Buick Century in Premium Midsize Car and the Chevrolet Suburban as top Full-Size SUV."The 2005 IQS results contain some genuinely good news for General Motors," said Chance Parker, executive director of product and research analysis at J.D. Power and Associates. "The improvements of the quality of several models and at their North American plants are both very positive signs."Two of the segments were topped by Ford vehicles: the Explorer Sport Trac in the Midsize Pickup category and the F-150 in the Light-Duty Full-Size Pickup category. Nissan was the only other automaker to have a vehicle score the highest in a segment—the 350Z was ranked highest in the Premium Sports Car segment.Overall, the industry did not show dramatic improvement when comparing 2005 to 2004. After showing an 11 percent quality improvement from 2003 to 2004, the 2005 overall industry average has improved by only one less problem per one hundred vehicles, down to 118 PP100 compared to 119 PP100 in 2004."Competition in the automotive industry is incredibly intense," said Parker. "Even though the 2005 results may suggest a plateau in quality, manufacturers should not become complacent. The IQS has tracked similar apparent 'plateaus' before in 1996 and 2003. In both cases, the following year's results showed dramatic quality improvements. Car companies that take their eye off the ball risk being left behind."The most improved model in 2005 was the Nissan Quest with an impressive 104 PP100 improvement. Others showing marked improvement include the Kia Spectra (64 PP100 improvement), the Hummer H2 (63 PP100 improvement), and the Scion xA (62 PP100 improvement).Lexus continues to set the pace as the brand with the best IQS score of 81 (PP100). Jaguar, BMW, Buick and Cadillac round out the top five brands.According to Power, the 2005 Initial Quality Study is based on survey responses from more than 62,000 lessees and purchasers of new 2005 model-year cars and trucks who were contacted after 90 days of ownership. IQS measures 135 attributes across nine categories, including ride/handling/braking, engine and transmission, and a broad range of quality issues reported by vehicle owners.Here are the specific segment leaders for 2005. Note that vehicle(s) in first position are overall winners; vehicles on subsequent lines of each segment are second- and third-place finishers.Compact CarToyota PriusKia SpectraHonda Civic (tie)Toyota Corolla (tie)Entry Midsize CarChevrolet Malibu/Malibu MaxxHyundai SonataVolkswagen JettaPremium Midsize CarBuick CenturyChevrolet Impala (tie)Pontiac Grand Prix (tie)Full-Size CarBuick LeSabreMercury Grand MarquisFord Five HundredEntry Luxury CarLexus IS 300 /IS 300 SportCrossJaguar X-TypeCadillac CTSMid Luxury CarLexus GS 300/430BMW 5-SeriesCadillac DeVillePremium Luxury CarLexus SC 430Lexus LS 430Mercedes-Benz SL-ClassSporty CarScion tCAcura RSXFord MustangPremium Sports CarNissan 350ZHonda S2000Porsche 911Midsize PickupFord Explorer Sport TracFord RangerSubaru BajaLight-Duty Full-Size PickupFord F-150 LDCadillac Escalade EXTToyota TundraHeavy-Duty Full-Size PickupGMC Sierra HDChevrolet Silverado HDDodge Ram HDEntry SUVToyota RAV4Mitsubishi OutlanderHyundai TucsonMidsize SUVToyota 4RunnerMitsubishi EndeavorHonda Pilot (tie)Nissan Murano (tie)Full-Size SUVChevrolet SuburbanChevrolet TahoeToyota SequoiaEntry Luxury SUVLexus RX 330BMW X3Infiniti FX-SeriesPremium Luxury SUVLexus GX 470Lexus LX 470Lincoln NavigatorMidsize VanToyota SiennaChrysler Town & CountryDodge Caravan/Grand CaravanSource: J.D. Power and AssociatesArticle Source: http://autos.msn.com/advice/ar...0used