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Most dependable 2007 models
Despite improvement in long-term dependability, some vehicle brands don't receive the credit they're due
Twenty-five of 36 vehicle brands have improved in long-term dependability in 2010, compared with their performance in 2009, continuing a steady trend of industry-wide improvement. However, for some of these brands, consumer perceptions have not kept pace with their actual performance, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2010 US Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) released in March 2010.
The study, which measures problems experienced by original owners of three-year-old (2007 model year) vehicles, includes 198 different problem symptoms across all areas of the vehicle. Overall dependability is determined by the level of problems experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100), with a lower score reflecting higher quality.
The Vehicle Dependability Study is used extensively by vehicle manufacturers worldwide to help design and build better vehicles -- which typically translates to higher resale values-and by consumers to help them make more-informed choices for both new- and used- vehicle purchases. According to J.D. Power and Associates, among new-vehicle shoppers, perception of quality and dependability is the most influential factor in their decision to purchase a specific vehicle model.
The study finds that several brands that perform well in long-term dependability in 2010 are avoided at relatively high rates due to consumer concerns about dependability.1 Among brands included in VDS, Cadillac, Ford, Hyundai, Lincoln and Mercury have the greatest lags between dependability performance and consumer perception. (Editor's note: The Mercury brand is no longer sold in Canada.)
Toyota continues to perform well in long-term dependability and garners four segment awards -- more than any other nameplate in 2010 -- for the Highlander, Prius, Sequoia and Tundra. Honda receives three segment awards for the CR-V, Fit and Ridgeline. Lincoln captures two awards for the Mark LT and MKZ.
In addition, Audi, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, Lexus, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz and Mercury each receive a model segment award.
Porsche leads the overall nameplate rankings in 2010, which is consistent with its performance in the J.D. Power and Associates 2007 Initial Quality Study, which measures new-vehicle quality at 90 days of ownership. Lincoln improves by six rank positions from 2009 to follow Porsche in the nameplate rankings.
Rounding out the top five nameplates are Buick, Lexus and Mercury.
In addition, seven of the 10 models with the lowest incidence of problems in the industry are from Ford and General Motors, including the 2007 model-year Buick Lacrosse, Buick Lucerne, Cadillac DTS, Ford Five Hundred, Lincoln MKZ, Mercury Milan, and Mercury Montego.
The Cadillac DTS has the fewest problems in the industry, with just 76 problems per 100 vehicles. This marks the first time in more than a decade that a model from a domestic automaker has achieved the lowest PP100 score in the Vehicle Dependability Study.
Overall vehicle dependability has improved by 7% in 2010 to an average of 155 PP100, compared with 167 PP100 in 20092 -- a rate that is consistent with historical industry gains. In addition to the improvement in overall dependability, the rate of component replacement has also been reduced from 2009. Approximately 65% of owners indicate they replaced a vehicle component in 2010, compared with 68% in 2009.
The study also finds that long-term dependability has a significant positive effect on repurchase intent. Among owners who say they did not experience problems with their vehicle, 43% indicate they "definitely will" repurchase their current brand. This figure declines to 28% among owners who say they experienced at least one problem with their vehicle.
The 2010 Vehicle Dependability Study is based on responses from more than 52,000 original owners of 2007 model-year vehicles. The study was fielded between October and December 2009.
1 Source: J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Avoider Study
2 Due to a change in the problem battery in 2010, PP100 scores for 2009 have been adjusted to allow for comparison with 2010 PP100 scores.
© CarTest.ca. Posted June 18, 2010.
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