Toyota/Lexus caught spinnin' the Numbers

[AMERICA 123]

Pretty simple - it seems ?

If you're dissatisfied with the results, just make'm up and put out a press release ?

http://pressroom.toyota.com/Releases...T2008060482973

Toyota and Lexus Garner Key Awards In J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study Two New North American Plants Earn Gold & Silver Awards With Fewest Defects

06/04/2008

June 4, 2008 - Torrance, CA - Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., and Toyota Engineering and Manufacturing, North America (TEMA) today garnered key awards in the 2008 J. D. Power and Associates Initial Quality StudySM, announced at a press conference in Detroit.

Toyota improved by eight problems per 100 (PP100) and two ranking positions over last year. Tied for fourth place among all industry nameplates, Toyota was the best-performing full-line nameplate and best- performing non-premium nameplate in the 2008 IQS.

Lexus LS ranked first among all segment winners in this year's survey with the fewest PP100, at 68, an all-time low for segment winners in the IQS study.

NOPE.

Porsche not Lexus, had the best score at 67 for the 911 and therefore 'we' guess..... - given the rest of this erronous National Press Release - that's been wrong for 2 days already - with no correction on your part - Porsche can therefore claim to have produced "an all time low for segment winners in the IQS study".

That of course, doesn't count the three days to a week you had the report sitting on your desk before J D Powers press release.

From J D Powers et al ;

http://www.jdpower.com/corporate/new...spx?ID=2008063

2008 IQS Ranking Highlights
Honda models capture three segment awards—more than any other nameplate in the 2008 study—for the Civic, CR-V and Fit. Garnering two segment awards each are: Chevrolet (Malibu and Silverado LD); Dodge (Dakota and Durango); Infiniti (EX-Series and M-Series); Lexus (LS and RX); and Mercedes-Benz (CLK-Class and E-Class).

The Porsche 911 has the fewest quality problems in the industry, with just 67 problems per 100 vehicles.

Also receiving segment awards are the Ford E-Series, LincolnNavigator, MazdaMX-5 Miata, PontiacGrand Prix Sedan and ToyotaSequoia.

“In past years, automakers have frequently struggled to achieve very high initial quality with new models,” said Sargent.

“With product launches and redesigns often being problematic for manufacturers from a quality standpoint, it is particularly impressive that the Chevrolet Malibu and Infiniti EX-Series achieve such high levels of quality that they receive awards in their launch year.”

For a third consecutive year, Porsche tops the overall nameplate rankings, averaging 87 PP100.

Following in the rankings are Infiniti (which improves from 9th rank position in 2007), Lexus, Mercedes-Benz and Toyota, respectively. Audi posts the largest improvement in ranking, moving from 26th place in 2007 to 10th in 2008.

“Porsche continues its steady improvement and has succeeded in distancing itself from the second-ranked nameplate to a greater degree in 2008—by a gap of 11 PP100—compared with 3 PP100 in 2007,” said Sargent.

Maybe those last two set them off ????

Unless of course, J D Powers is wrong.

[FenwickHockey65]

Somebody needs to publicize toyota's little slip-up there...

[rozz]

Regular people only focus on Toyota, Honda, Chevy and Ford when car shopping. Moreover, they only hear about Chevy sucks and Toyota good. Toyota cash, market caps and profits speak for themselves. When you keep, posting Toyota this and Toyota that...you technically keep giving them free press everyday. Just as if those news outlets kept talking about Brittany Spear did this and did that...aahahhh.....I am tired hearing about her!!!

[JVal14]

It's not exactly on-topic, but Porsche deserves a lot of recognition for such an achievement. Besides the fact that it's amazing that a car so high-tech as the 911 would have so few problems, they've done a great job of improving the reliability and longevity of their vehicles from decades past. Besides the unfortunate tie to the Third Reich, that's a model company.

[Ambalanche]

This will never get any traction as long as the media are import coolaid drinkers which doesn't look like it will change any time soon.

[slant6]

Lexus LS ranked first among all segment winners in this year's survey with the fewest PP100, at 68, an all-time low for segment winners in the IQS study.

Technically, Toyota is correct. The Porsche 911 did not receive an award because there were three or less models in its segment. Therefore, it is not considered a segment winner.

[crooner214]

Originally Posted by slant6

Technically, Toyota is correct. The Porsche 911 did not receive an award because there were three or less models in its segment. Therefore, it is not considered a segment winner.

Welcome to "spin" city, Slant6!

[Mr. Burns]

you guys need something new to rant about.

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by Mr. Burns

you guys need something new to rant about.

Those damned polar bears!! They're the reason we can't drill in Alaska!!!

[Bolex]

rant all you guys want....the fact is toyota/lexus is being compared to a porsche in terms of quality. you really want the media to put these 2 brands in the same sentence explaining how quality is almost equal?

[Chaz_23]

Yes, since when are VWs any good?

Originally Posted by Bolex

rant all you guys want....the fact is toyota/lexus is being compared to a porsche in terms of quality. you really want the media to put these 2 brands in the same sentence explaining how quality is almost equal?

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

Those damned polar bears!! They're the reason we can't drill in Alaska!!!

OH NO!!!!

[ZeroDrag]

Uhh, 7:18am (my time) and you've already started your Toyota bashing.

Porsche 911 is not a segment winner but the Lexus LS is, and LS DOES have the lowest PP100 among all segment winners. You need to learn how to read first before you come to a conclusion.

Also, AMERICA 123, you should seek professional help!! You are obsessed with Toyota.
Like another member said, all you are doing is giving Toyota free press.

[AkSean]

OH AMERICA 123 cry me a river the whole world loves Toyota , and hates GM. Maybe you should be more focused on why Chevrolet is 10th, Pontiac is 10th, GMC is 17th, Hummer is 19th, SAAB is 25th, Saturn is 27th. Your mentality is the exact reason I left GM years ago.

[ZeroDrag]

Originally Posted by AkSean

..Your mentality is the exact reason I left GM years ago.

Tell me about it!
While I never worked for GM, I was a good customer. I bought a Chevy Corsica, Beretta and a Saturn SC2. I am not a loyal customer of any manufacturer because to me, they don't mean anything more than just a manufacturer.

Then comes GMI!! Holy lord. I have never seen anything like the blind, disgusting bashing of the Asian manufacturers that goes on here. I would understand if it only stayed like that - but no, there are rage against the Japanese, rage against the Koreans: all Asians!!

There is an overflow of American arrogance on this board. People here think anything "American" is AUTOMATICALLY the best by the virtue of it being an "American" product. So, anytime that's not the case in reality, people won't accept it. It is much more clear to me now why some people gives the middle finger salute to an owner of an Asian car, or even vandalizes the car, leaves notes like "shouldn't have bought an import" with misspelling.

Like I said before, I am not particularly fond of any manufacturer but whichever gets me the best value in combination with reliability/quality/service. The sad thing is after getting to know a bunch of American elitists here, I just don't feel like joining the group of American car buyers anymore (besides the only vehicle from GM appeals to me is the Acadia: well designed, well built, the twin projectors are just sweet).


AkSean, you bring up a good point, I think this practice is embedded in the American culture. Rather than worrying about why GM brands rank poorly, people try to find reasons to bash the brands that did well. Does anyone remember what Toyota spokesperson said after the Tundra got 4-star crash test rating? They didn't challenge the system, instead they said they were confident that it'd get 5-star, but there's obviously more work needed to be done. That's the kind of attitude is appreciated by me.