Gojirra99

Monday, June 19, 2006

U.S. cars score well in quality, study says

But in trucks and SUVs, Japanese gain in traditional Big 3 stronghold.

Sarah Karush / Associated Press

DETROIT -- U.S. automakers are producing more hits with cars, but are facing steeper competition in trucks, an area they once dominated, according to a vehicle quality study released today.

The domestic Big Three had the top-scoring vehicles in five out of 10 car categories in the annual vehicle quality study by Strategic Vision Inc., a San Diego-based market research firm and consultant to automakers. A notable winner was the Ford Fusion, which prevailed in the medium car category.

In trucks, Japanese companies took six of 10 categories. The winners included the Honda Odyssey for minivan and the Nissan Armada for large SUV.

Detroit is "playing catch-up, but the competition is moving ahead at the same time," said Daniel Gorrell, vice president of Strategic Vision. "The imports are really developing a strong foothold in the truck market."

The study, which factors in emotional reactions to vehicles, as well as defects and design issues, found BMW to be the top brand, just ahead of Lexus.

BMW's ranking contrasted sharply to a better-known quality report by J.D. Power and Associates. That study, released earlier this month, found a high number of complaints about BMW for design, particularly its iDrive system, which operates many different controls through a single ****.

Gorrell called iDrive "a mistake." But, he added, "that's not the total experience people have with BMW."

With the Fusion, a key vehicle in Ford Motor Co.'s comeback strategy, a variety of attributes -- particularly styling, roominess, quiet and dealership experience -- prompted owners to give it high marks.

General Motors Corp. had five winners, though most were lower-volume models, including the Chevrolet Corvette and the Saturn Vue. Three of the company's largest sellers, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, the GMC Sierra 1500 and the Chevrolet Impala, scored below average in their segments.

DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler Group won in the large car segment with the Dodge Charger and the medium crossover category with the Dodge Magnum.

For the Japanese manufacturers, the reliability they are known for was only one element in their success, Gorrell said. For instance, the Toyota Tacoma, which won for compact pickup, and the 4Runner, which took first place for medium sport utility vehicle, got a boost from superior styling, he said. Meanwhile, the Odyssey and the Honda Ridgeline (full-size pickup) benefited from power, roominess and innovation.

The study, paid for by most automakers, has been conducted since 1995. For 2006, Strategic Vision surveyed more than 29,000 people on vehicles purchased in October and November.

source : detnews

mmarshall

I can't buy a lot of what is on this list.....and I have reviewed a number of these vehicles ( not all, of course ) .

The Chevrolet HHR has dynamite looks, but is very sluggish and feels as if it is made out of cardboard ( see my review ).

Mini Coopers, also with dynamite looks, have been quite troublesome in the reliability department.

The Saturn VUE has a nice AWD system and all-weather capability and plastic ding-proof panels, but some of the worst fit-and-finish I have seen on a modern car.

The Nissan Armada ( and its brother the Infiniti QX56) is big and roomy, just like the Tahoe ( one of the very few import-nameplate vehicles that are ), but, mostly because of the continuing problems in the Canton, MS plant, has been a quality nightmare from Day One.

The BMW 7-series...........ditto.........nightmare electronics.

XeroK00L

This list is pure BS. I can't believe they dare include the MINI, the 7 and the Armada.

Leets

... I love the new IS, but I know I'm not the only one who's had to take it back twice in under 4k miles. And some of the other vehicles on the list are just mind-boggling.

-J-P-L-

BMW best brand in a quality study???

Saturn Vue better than a Toyota RAV4 for example?

I have no respect for this study.

XeroK00L

Detroit News has been throwing around a lot of BS lately. No wonder, at a time when the Japanese is about to take over the reigning American as the #1 automaker, they as a Detroit publication has to make up something drastic.

XeroK00L

Yup you got that right.

But seriously, when was the last time a MINI, a 7-Series, or an Armada scored well in a quality study, from any source? Or for that matter, when was the last time they were NOT in the "worst" list, when such a list was included in the same report?

Most of us call this study BS for good reasons.

EDIT: Oh just noticed the Land Rover Range Rover Sport also won. That's BS too.

spwolf

well, it is not really an quality study is it? They rate design, roomness, etc. I would think it has very little to do with quality.

XeroK00L

I think you're right, after I reread the following paragraph.So the vehicles I called BS upon may have won due to "qualities" (plural) they possess other than "quality", in which case I'd take back my previous comments but instead complain about the misleading title of the study since it really isn't just a "quality" survey.

Gojirra99

Don't forget this :

DrDrilZ

this must be a joke. bmw, mini, armada, and 7 series in the same sentence as "quality"! LOL

LexFather

Lexus was right behind BMW according to the article