Mazda = Lowest quality
 

Ford Motor Company Captures Most Awards in 2007 Initial Quality Study

Product Launches Create Quality Challenges for Manufacturers

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.: 6 June 2007 ? Ford Motor Company garners five top model segment awards?more than any other automobile corporation this year, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2007 Initial Quality StudySM (IQS) released today.

In the study, Ford Motor Company earns model segment awards for the Ford Mustang, Lincoln Mark LT, Lincoln MKZ, Mazda MX-5 Miata and Mercury Milan.

?The 2007 IQS results contain some encouraging and positive news for Ford Motor Company,? said Neal Oddes, director of product research and analysis at J.D. Power and Associates. ?Fourteen Ford Motor Company models place in the top three of their respective segments?an achievement unmatched by any other corporation this year?which is a testament to the improvement in quality for Ford Motor Company vehicle models and plants. In addition, their Lincoln nameplate, which receives two segment awards, improves considerably to rank third in 2007, from 12th in 2006.?

The Initial Quality Study serves as the industry benchmark for new-vehicle quality measured at 90 days of ownership and captures problems experienced by owners in two distinct categories?quality of design and quality of production (defects and malfunctions). Over the past 20 years, the automotive industry has improved in quality at the rate of 6 percent per year on average?a 20-year improvement rate of more than 120 percent. In addition, the study has found that the automotive industry has reduced problem counts by 50 percent every 7 to 8 years.

The study finds that vehicle redesigns and product launches create quality challenges for manufacturers as they continue to develop and introduce new and advanced automotive technologies. On average, a vehicle redesign increases problem counts by 10 problems per 100 (PP100) vehicles.

?Ideally, manufacturers should aim to achieve high initial quality when launching a new model, since this builds a strong foundation for future years and can become a differentiating factor relative to the competition,? said Oddes. ?One year after launch, initial quality begins to improve by an average of 7 PP100. If a model launches with lower initial quality, it is more difficult for the manufacturer to keep pace with the competition over time.?

2007 IQS Ranking Highlights

Mercedes-Benz and Toyota models capture three segment awards each. Toyota models that receive awards are the 4Runner, Sequoia and Tacoma. Mercedes-Benz models that earn awards are the E-Class, SL-Class, and the S-Class. The S-Class ties with the Audi A8 (total) for having the fewest quality problems in the industry, with just 72 problems per 100 vehicles.

?Mercedes-Benz shows dramatic improvement, particularly with its newly-redesigned S-Class, which improves 63 PP100,? said Oddes. ?Overall, Mercedes-Benz improves its nameplate rank by 20 positions?the greatest rank increase of any nameplate in the study. All Mercedes-Benz models in the study improved substantially, and the breadth and speed of these improvements demonstrates the Mercedes-Benz commitment to quality.?

For the second consecutive year, Porsche tops the overall nameplate rankings, averaging 91 PP100. Following in the rankings are Lexus, Lincoln, Honda and Mercedes-Benz, respectively. Honda, with the fewest problems per 100 among non-premium brands, improves in the ranking to fourth from sixth since the 2006 study and earns awards with the Civic and CR-V. Among non-premium brands, Kia posts the largest improvement in ranking, moving from 24th in 2006 to 12th in 2007 and earning an award for the Kia Rio/Rio5 for the second year in a row.

The most improved nameplates in the study are Land Rover (increasing in initial quality by 34 PP100), Saab (improving by 30 PP100) and Mercedes-Benz (increasing by 28 PP100).

Other nameplates receiving model awards in 2007 include Chevrolet (Express and Silverado Classic HD), Lexus (RX350/RX400h) Pontiac (Grand Prix) and Porsche (Boxster).

The 2007 Initial Quality Study is based on responses from more than 97,000 purchasers and lessees of new 2007 model-year cars and trucks surveyed after 90 days of ownership. The study is based on a 228-question battery designed to provide manufacturers with information to facilitate problem determination and drive product improvement.

Find more detailed findings on new-vehicle quality performance as well as model photos and specs by watching a video, reading an article and reviewing quality ratings at JDPower.com.

http://www.jdpower.com/corporate/new...s/2007088a.GIF

What I've heard from Land Rover owners is its hit or miss. Either the car has no problems or its constant problems every other week. I'd like to see that data charted year to year. As for Mazda, thats too bad. It seems like they have a pretty modest model lineup.

That graph on the bottom is amazing... so on average even the best brands have at least one problem per car? wtf?!

Mazda Sucks Cock!

Engines are crap...

There's more to this story.

Up until a few years ago Mazdas were indestructible. We still have a 2000-something Madza wagon that we use as a grocery getter and with over 160k miles it's still flawless. It has the original clutch even. The single biggest expense on this car is putting gas in it.

I have an older millenia, it rocks..

rofl, I bought it off ebay unseen (just pics). Then had it shipped to Ohio from Mass!

crazy..

I've had Land Rovers ... BMW's ... Fords .. but I always fall back to the Honda or Acura. Never have problems with them for some reason

I have a 96 Precidia with over 160k on it and never had a problem. Runs perfectly fine

My experience with Mazda is limited to the 80's and early 90's and corroborates yours - indestructible. Maybe they're making them differently these days.

I drive a Toyota.

It looks like they're really trying to turn things around at Ford now. Finally.

i love my mazda
Good old 323F :pimp

Tomud

I cant comment on the others... but the new Ford F150 trucks seem to be pretty fuckin good. At least mine is.

Damn, why BMW is on that position?

:thumbsup

Mazda is..... Mazda. You get what you pay for :)

Hahahah...Scion...the world's cheapest cars are rated so high. This graph is funny. :)

well at least our boring lexus is at the top. someone will be rubbing my nose in those stats come morning for wanting to get the new x5 beamers

All of the german brands over the last few years have had some pretty bad numbers. Mercedes is turning it around (and on this survey appear better than average).

I can tell you as the owner of a GTi that Volkswagon really does have some issues on quality at a times. But I think their issues are as much to do with trying to keep the car costs reasonable into the North American markets, and having to cheap out at times. Their version of the Porsche 4X4 had tons of issues, particularly electrical from what my dealer at the time told me.

weird

the german automobile club just released something similar and the numbers look quite different (except porsche and toyota are top quality)

Everyone thinks that American auto makers have poor quality. That crap changed some time ago, but public perception hasn't.

Also, aren't Toyotas made in the US now anyhow?

wrong!


BTW this thread is funny, all the people bashing Mazda prolly dont even know their Euro lineup :1orglaugh:1orglaugh

never had troubles with my madzda

I have never had a mazda and I am pretty sure I will never own one either!

you guys have some weird brands over there... what the heck is a infiniti or scion?

Perhaps, but who's responsible for them getting a bad rep in the first place.

anything that is owned by f o r d is a big ass crap
not surprised that Mazda is shit.
i did not, would not own anything that ford manufactures.
the mustang has been tempting a few times but then i think about who makes it and i am not taking a chance.

I wouldn't jump to trust what J.D. Power has to say about anything:
http://www.radaronline.com/features/...associates.php

I wouldn't jump to trust what J.D. Power has to say about anything:
http://www.radaronline.com/features/...associates.php

and here I am thinking that only boxing matches get fixed

that graph is unbelievable, fucking kia gives less problems than a bmw??? yeah, right

Mazda won even this ranking in Germany last year ...

Agree. My wife got sucked into buying a Mazda 3 because of all the good reviews, but we find many things to fault.

Worst of all is that road noise insulation is so bad, we can't hear the radio unless we turn it up full-blast.

porsche the best! :)

A friend of my had Mazda 323 and it's was virtually unfuckable car...
Don't know about the newer models... but the old ones were good...

The only problem is that 185cm high man can't drive that car since it just can't fit in that car. For example, my brother is 185cm high and weights about 125 kilos and he can't sit behind the wheel :) .... so it's for small people only... :)

Infinity in US = Nissan in EU and Asia
sicon = http://www.scion.com/

hahaha busted