General Motors and Toyota lead the way

[joe1280]

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.

For the full list of segment leaders: http://autos.msn.com/advice/article....&src=LP%20used

[BigAls87Z28]

Good news for GM. Seeing GM next to Toyota could turn some peoples heads.

[SSrevolution]

So GM needs to run with this JD power quality and flaunt it in the competitions faces. As for Toyota, if GM can show the customer the good side, they will triumph. If they don't they will fail. But GM is on the up swing here, so I think Toyota will never take the top spot. GM should solidify its position in about 2 or 3 years.

[Cortazzo]

This doesn't surprise me, but at least here in the north east, people still view GM cars as inferior generally. I think GM needs to do something to leapfrog the competition and stake out new territory in order to really impress the buying public with it's engineering and technology. I think installing those alternators (i've read that GM plans to put these in the malibu) that have enough juice to allow the engines to turn off at a stoplight and act similarly to a hybrid on all models would go a long way towards changing people's perceptions about GM being anti-environment and being behind the competition.

[driverblogger]

Go Toyota!!! It Wins!!

[Snafu_SS]

Go GM!! They made into 2nd place with a Buick CENTURY!?? An 8 year old Suburban and a competitive malibu/malibu maxx!!

this is great news, these quality studies just keep puttin GM up there with toyota. it's great to see, and with all this new and redesigned product comin, 1st place better be in the minds of GM's leaders!! dont hold back, keep pushin forward as toyota has experienced a few hick ups lately.(prius stalling, then the major hick up of a recall for all those trucks, less money being gained this quarter)

[ghughes]

"Go Toyota!!! It Wins!!'
Hey what toyo dealership do you work for - surely no rationale american would feel this way? Maybe someone who is into masochism - or roots for himself to be poor?

[asim]

good news but old news

[Mr. Corporate Events]

Originally Posted by driverblogger

Go Toyota!!! It Wins!!

What kind of Sick F*** are you? Did you root for the Soviet Hockey Team at Lake Placid in 1980 as well?

By the way, Scion, as a brand, finished BELOW the industry average. So much for Toyota quality. And all Scions are currently made in Japan. What's your excuse?

[TransAmTrance]

just for the record; i think this is the 539,345,678th time everyone has read that gm and toyota lead in industry quality ratings. don't get me wrong its good news but i think it lost its luster after the 345,567,349th time we've heard it

[SSrevolution]

Originally Posted by Mr. Corporate Events

What kind of Sick F*** are you? Did you root for the Soviet Hockey Team at Lake Placid in 1980 as well?

HAHAHAHAHA! I won't put my 2 cents in. You guys got him good.

[327]

Originally Posted by Mr. Corporate Events

What kind of Sick F*** are you? Did you root for the Soviet Hockey Team at Lake Placid in 1980 as well?

By the way, Scion, as a brand, finished BELOW the industry average. So much for Toyota quality. And all Scions are currently made in Japan. What's your excuse?

hahahaha, Now thats a good one!

[69nova]

I am a little disappointed in the news reporting because an article in the Tribune grudginly gave GM credit for the quality but stated that GM doesn't have a lineup of "gotta have" (where have we heard this before?) vehicles. If they would have included Toyota's ho-hum lineup, I would have said nothing but to single out GM was being wrong.
I really thing that the NHTSA should make Toyota recall all their cars for a real safety problem. Their styling induces the drivers to fall asleep at the wheel.

[knumknuts]

Originally Posted by Mr. Corporate Events

What kind of Sick F*** are you? Did you root for the Soviet Hockey Team at Lake Placid in 1980 as well?

By the way, Scion, as a brand, finished BELOW the industry average. So much for Toyota quality. And all Scions are currently made in Japan. What's your excuse?

Isnt your Geo Metro actually manufactured by Suzuki?? In Japan??

And several GM brands finished BELOW industry average including Chevy.

AND the Scion TC took first place in its class.