GM Responds to J.D. Power's New IQS

[CTGentleman]

J.D. Power’s New IQS: The Rest of the Story
6/7/06 | Jamie Hresko, GM NA VP of Quality

GM once again got a strong vote of confidence from consumers polled by J.D. Power and Associates, though you wouldn’t know it if you only read Power’s news release today: “Lexus and Toyota models continue to dominate” the press release says, citing their awards in 11 of 19 segment categories.

Well, guess what? GM also earned recognition for 11 vehicles that placed in the top three of their segments. That is second only to Toyota. Two vehicles, the Chevrolet Silverado and the Pontiac Grand Prix, took top honors in their segments. GM’s turnaround is real, and responses from the 63,607 consumers of 2006 cars and trucks polled by J.D. Power prove it.
Let’s take a look at the actual numbers.

Cadillac and GMC were ranked among the top 10 brands. In fact, GMC was singled out by J.D. Power as one of the brands with fewest design problems.

These 11 vehicles placed in the top three in their segments:

• Buick Rainier
• Chevrolet Corvette (also one of the top 10 models across the industry)
• Chevrolet Monte Carlo
• Chevrolet Tahoe
• Chevrolet Silverado Light Duty (top award)
• Chevrolet Silverado HD
• GMC Sierra HD
• GMC Savana
• GMC Yukon
• Hummer H2
• Pontiac Grand Prix (top award)

Our trucks handily won the large pickup category, sweeping first, second and third places: Chevy Silverados, both the light duty and heavy duty versions, and the GMC Sierra HD cleaned up that segment.

And plant quality? Are the Japanese “transplant” factories in North and South America really better than ours?

For the fifth year in a row, GM earned Power’s top honor, the Gold Award, for the plant in North and South America that builds vehicles with the fewest defects. Moreover, of the top 15 plants, seven were GM plants – proof that our Global Manufacturing System continues to pay dividends in establishing GM leadership in plant quality.

This year’s Gold Award went to the Oshawa 2 plant in Canada, which builds the Buick LaCrosse and Pontiac Grand Prix. It won that Quality Award for the second year in a row.

J.D. Power heard the same things our customers are telling us: GM's quality is good. In fact, 4.5 million customers show their confidence in our cars and trucks every year when they buy them. And compared to four years ago, 40% fewer of those vehicles are returned for service. But don’t think we’re satisfied. We’re committed to becoming the industry leader in every segment.

Sometimes you have to look beyond the headline, or even the news release, for the full story.

GM FastLane

[Joevette]

the press just loves toyota and hates anything labeled "american" though maybe toyota will someday convice them that they are too 'american' and it will foil their conquest. somebody has an identity crisis

[Quickening]

Man, I'm really liking the new GM. Before I don't think GM would of ever called the press on this, but it seems GM is starting to push its power/flex its muscles a little and demanding recognition. I'm sure we can credit that to Lutz, he is just the man.

[MNdudeswitz]

JD Power's initial quality is a waste of time, but I'm liking the GM news...........God I hate Toyota so much!

[Butz]

God Bless GM!

[GM_Fanatic]

Originally Posted by CTGentleman

Sometimes you have to look beyond the headline, or even the news release, for the full story.

GM FastLane

Yup, looks past the headlines and the news releases, and look straight to GM's very own blog! haha But really I am glad they are using the blog to get their story out there. GM has made huge strides in the quality in the last few years. I love second to last paragraph talking about how they aren't satisfied yet.Very nice!

[CobaltSScrazy]

as great as this is, its initial quality, not LONG term quality nor reliability. those are where residuals will rise once that is rectified. i could care less about the first three months of ownership, its 7 years down the road where it runs like new drives like new looks like new and feels like new that i care about!!!

[hotrod747]

I've always known that GM had what it takes to produce quality. It was just a matter of getting thru the "red tape" mess and the politics at hand. I'm very happy that they are regaining their focus and I will show my appreciation by making my next vehicle purchase a GM product. Not totally out of the woods yet, but they are making their way!

[tgagneguam]

I'm glad that GM did well. Their hard work is paying off.

However, the press' point-Toyota and Lexus did well-is well taken. I firmly believe that the only way to stop the migration of American consumers to Asian brands-particularly Toyota's brands-is to build better cars than they do, not just ones that nearly equal their efforts. Placing 11 vehicles within the top three spots of 11 categories, while commendable, is not nearly the same as taking first place in 11 categories. And while I'm pleased that Oshawa 2 took honors for the fifth(!) year in a row in North America, the Platinum plants globally were managed by... Toyota. Like it or not, their accomplishments are praiseworthy.

Again, while I'm pleased with GM's showing, I anxiously await the day that they are the ones who "dominate the press release" (for good reason).

[VibenPontiac]

Nice to see.

Hopefully within the next couple of years we'll start seeing some more cars from GM on the list - I'm certainly expecting it!

[rsbaker]

It would be nice if the automotive press would do their home work once in a while and report all the facts and not just the conventional wisdom. We can take the good and the bad but if you only report the bad then something is wrong.

[lilredcrvtt]

A big high five to all those hourly and salary G.M. employees who again helped make this a very successful year!!!! Go G.M. Go!!!!!

[jc7222]

This is good news. Now I am interested in where GM comes in on long term results.

[1999 White C5 Coupe]

Originally Posted by CobaltSScrazy

as great as this is, its initial quality, not LONG term quality nor reliability. those are where residuals will rise once that is rectified. i could care less about the first three months of ownership, its 7 years down the road where it runs like new drives like new looks like new and feels like new that i care about!!!

You are correct. Any NEW item (especially a vehicle which is a high-dollar purchase) should not have defects when new. The awards are for vehicles that have the FEWEST defects or problems - not NO defects or problems.

I do NOT believe those that say, "You should expect problems in new model......."

Long term quality and reliability is the key to vehicle success. GM has improved its long term quality and reliability - which just confirms that it wasn't as good as it should have been. It needs to continue its quality and reliability improvement as a long term strategy.

[01cavalier]

Good to see yet more improvements in the initial quality. It matters a lot and initial quality being good does reflect well on long term quality, I guess in part because the initial impression sets people up for what to expect and look for down the road. If a car has problems early on one will often be more sensitive to things that may not even be a problem.