J.D. Power 2010 Initial Quality Study
1st Time Ever Domestics Lead Imports

J.D. Power and Associates has released its 2010 Initial Quality Study (IQS) and Porsche has earned back the top spot that was occupied by Lexus in last year's study. The annual J.D. Power study measures IQS based on problems reported per 100 vehicles (PP100) – a lower score means a lower rate of problem incidences and higher quality.

Domestic brands, as a whole, demonstrated higher initial quality than import brands for the first time in an IQS (impressive, as the company has been conducting the study for 24 years). "Domestic automakers have made impressive strides in steadily improving vehicle quality, particularly since 2007," said David Sargent, vice president of global vehicle research at J.D. Power and Associates. "This year may mark a key turning point for U.S. brands as they continue to fight the battle against lingering negative perceptions of their quality." According to J.D. Power, the industry average for initial quality is 109 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) in 2010 (that is a slight increase from 108 PP100 in 2009). However, initial quality for domestic brands as a whole has improved to an average of 108 PP100, slightly better than the initial quality of import brands, which average 109 PP100 in 2010.

Acura made an impressive improvement in the 2010 study. The automaker climbed from 111 PP100 in 2009 to just 86 PP100 in 2010, earning second spot just under Porsche (83 PP100). Mercedes-Benz (87 PP100) earned third position with Lexus (88 PP100) immediately following. Ford (93 PP100) and Lincoln (106 PP100) also earned Top 10 positions. Interestingly enough, Toyota (117 PP100) fell from its seventh position in 2009 to 21st in the 2010 study. The complete J.D. Power press release and charts can be found after the jump and in the gallery below.

 

Woohoo! Lexus GS top of class for initial quality

 

Nice to see that the quality really is returning to MB- ranked 3rd overall with a few top placing models

Solid wins for the LS, GS, and GX.

Can't really say I am surprised or happy for Acura. When you build every car off pre-existing hardware that has been largely perfected before it's given to you, you should be first or second. That is what makes Porsche's placement so outstanding, IMO.

 

By your logic (which I agree with btw), it SHOULDN'T be astounding that Porsche has top placement, correct?

For brands like Mercedes and Lexus will relatively full lineups on multiple platforms, I think it's astounding they have as few problems as they have.

 

Look at Acura.....in second place. We hear a lot of Acura-bashing on CL. They may have some ugly products, but are generally well-built ones.

Ford is also impressive...in fifth place. But it's obvious that Toyota and Subaru, formerly two of the best in the buisness, have slipped significantly.

To be honest, though, I still put more stock in Consumer Reports' findings than I do in Power's....or similiar companies.

Porsche's #1 slot is not easily explained. The most likely reason, I think, is that their high prices (and low production rates) allow the use of a lot of high-quality parts/materials and a slow assembly-line speed that allows factory workers/inspectors more time to catch and correct assembly-line problems.

 

Its not bashing, it is discussion and well justified. Acura was below average in 2007, 2008 and 2009 in Initial Quality. Kudos to them improving. As CJ and Mike stated they have the least technology and are all Accord based with the same engines, they should be tops compared to the much more advanced competition.

 

amazing recovery from benz.

 

WOW!!! Acura was rated higher than Lexus for initial quality for 2010??? Maybe this will reduce the negative posts on Acura a little. The cars are ugly but the quality is there . I have to agree with mike that its only one year ad I also wasn't aware that they were below average for the last few years. I don't think they will maintain the awesome record that Lexus has but its a start

 

Considering that their engines and transmissions haven't changed in years, I wouldn't think there would be any new issues that may affect its initial quality.

 

Its awesome that the Lexus GS is rated top for premium mid size sedans considering the 06's were a problem ( especially in AWD trim)

 

Everything that Acura builds is based on an Accord platform and uses an Accord-based engine. Porsche has a few different models and seemingly limitless engines and configurations.

I do understand what you're saying about MB and Lexus, and do agree, but with everything considered I still find Porsche to be remarkable.

 

Oh I get where you're coming from

Porsche does offer an impressive array of options, for each model. Not only engines, but trim, package, and transmission options are stellar.

 

Nicely done by the top 10, even if it was largely expected.

 

OK, Mike......that's basically what I meant. Perhaps I used the wrong term by saying "bashing". What I meant was negative talk. Some of it, I agree, is justified; but some, IMO, is not.

Consumer Reports doesn't do an IQS like J.D. Power, but, in general, they have given Acuras better-than-average ratings in reliability for about as long as the company has been in buisness.

 

It's real, but most apparent or obvious with the newly designed recent models. Those of us that owned early 2000 (2001 for example) models versus late 2000 (2008 for example) models can see the sharp difference in the number of service visits for warranty and non-warranty repairs. Difference is like night and day.