Two Canadian-Built Models Receive Initial Quality Awards in their Respective Segments

TORONTO - The General Motors Oshawa, Ontario (car), plant receives the Silver Plant Quality Award in the North/South America region, averaging just 42 problems per 100 vehicles, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 U.S. Initial Quality Study(SM) (IQS) released yesterday.

This GM plant produces the Buick Allure (sold as the Buick LaCrosse in the U.S.) and Chevrolet Impala. The study captures problems experienced by owners in two distinct categories -- design-related problems and defects and malfunctions. Plant awards are based solely on defect and malfunction counts.

Aside from the General Motors Oshawa, Ontario (car) plant, two other Canadian plants rank among the top 15 in terms of initial quality for the North and South American plants included in the study. The plants are: Toyota Motor Corporation's Cambridge, Ontario, plant and General Motors' Ingersoll, Ontario, plant.

"General Motors' arrangement to continue vehicle production in Canada has proven to be a sound business decision," said Gary Dilts, senior vice president of global automotive at J.D. Power and Associates. "This win-win situation has yielded top-quality vehicles for GM and continued employment and industrial output for the Canadian economy."

Two Canadian-made vehicle models receive segment awards, while three additional models rank within the top three in their respective segments. These high-ranking Canadian-built models are:

Highest-Ranking Models

-- Ford Edge (Ford Motor Company's Oakville, Ontario, plant) ranks highest in the midsize multi-activity vehicle (MAV) segment (in a tie with the Chevrolet Trailblazer and Toyota 4Runner)

-- Honda Ridgeline (Honda Canada's Alliston, Ontario, plant) ranks highest in the midsize pickup segment

Top-Three-Ranking Models

-- Lexus RX (Toyota Motor Corporation's Cambridge, Ontario, plant) ranks second in the midsize premium MAV segment(1) -- Chevrolet Impala (General Motors' Oshawa, Ontario (car), plant) ranks third in the large car segment

-- Honda Civic (Honda Canada's Alliston, Ontario, plant) ranks third in the compact car segment(1)

"Canadian automotive plants continue to build some of the highest-quality vehicles in the world," said Darren Slind, senior director, national automotive practice leader of J.D. Power and Associates Canadian operations. "Despite the industry downturn in 2009, several Ontario communities continue to deliver high-quality vehicles to the North American market, as evidenced by the success of both the Ford Edge and Honda Ridgeline, both highest-ranked vehicles in their respective segments."

2009 Plant Quality Award Recipients

The Toyota Motor Corporation assembly plant in Higashi-Fuji, Japan, receives the Platinum Plant Quality Award for producing vehicles yielding the fewest defects and malfunctions. Averaging just 29 problems per 100 vehicles, (PP100), the plant produces the Lexus SC 430 and Toyota Corolla. Lower PP100 scores indicate a lower rate of problem incidences and higher quality.

Among North and South American plants, the Honda plant in East Liberty, Ohio, which produces the Civic Sedan, CR-V and Element, achieves the Gold Plant Quality Award.

In the Europe and Africa region, Daimler's East London, South Africa, plant, which produces the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, receives the Gold Plant Quality Award.

2009 U.S. Initial Quality Study Findings

New vehicles sold by Chrysler, Ford and GM's U.S. brands have improved in initial quality by an average of 10 percent, compared with 2008, surpassing the 8-percent rate of improvement by the industry overall.

Overall, the industry average for initial quality is 108 problems per 100 vehicles in 2009, down from 118 PP100 in 2008. Initial quality for U.S. brands has improved to an average of 112 PP100 in 2009 from 124 PP100 in 2008.

"Even in the face of unprecedented challenges, the Detroit automakers are keeping their focus on designing and building high-quality vehicles, which is a precondition for long-term success," said David Sargent, vice president of automotive research at J.D. Power and Associates. "High quality generally translates into reduced re-engineering costs and lower warranty expenses during a vehicle's life cycle. High quality also enhances an automaker's reputation for reliability, which is a critical purchase consideration for many consumers."

In addition to the marked improvement by Detroit automakers, many Asian and European brands continued to perform well in 2009. Lexus leads the overall nameplate rankings, averaging 84 PP100. Following in the rankings are Porsche, Cadillac (which moves from 10th rank position in 2008 to third in 2009), Hyundai (improves from 13th rank position in 2008 to fourth in 2009) and Honda, rounding out the top five. Suzuki posts the largest improvement in ranking, moving from 32nd place in 2008 to ninth in 2009.

The study finds that initial quality for newly launched and redesigned models in 2009 has improved, compared with previous years. Historically, all-new models have typically launched with below-average levels of initial quality. However, several all-new models in 2009, including the Hyundai Genesis, Kia Borrego, Toyota Venza and Volkswagen CC, perform considerably better than their respective segment averages. Many redesigned models in 2009 also show notable improvement from the previous generation--particularly the Acura TL, Ford F-150, Honda Pilot and Nissan Z.

"Achieving high levels of initial quality in all-new models is one of the greatest challenges for manufacturers," said Sargent. "Now that more manufacturers are getting their launch quality right straight out of the gate, consumers can expect the quality of new vehicles to continue to rise."

The U.S. Initial Quality Study serves as the industry benchmark for new-vehicle quality measured at 90 days of ownership. The study is used extensively by vehicle manufacturers worldwide to help them design and build better vehicles and by consumers to help them in their vehicle purchase decisions. Initial quality has been shown over the years to be an excellent predictor of long-term durability, which can significantly impact consumer purchase decisions.

2009 U.S. IQS Ranking Highlights

Toyota Motor Corporation captures 10 segment awards--more than any other corporation in the 2009 study--five for Lexus, four for Toyota and one for Scion. Lexus receives awards for the IS, GS, GX, LS and LX models. The Lexus LX has the fewest quality problems in the industry, with just 52 PP100. Toyota models receiving awards in their respective segments are the 4Runner (in a tie); Sienna; Tundra (in a tie); and Yaris.

Ford receives three awards for the Edge (in a tie); F-150 (in a tie); and Mustang. Garnering two awards each are Nissan (Altima and Z); and Honda (CR-V, in a tie, and Ridgeline).

Also receiving segment awards are: Chevrolet Trailblazer (in a tie), Chrysler PT Cruiser Wagon (in a tie), GMC Yukon, Hyundai Elantra Sedan, Mercury Sable and Scion tC.

The 2009 U.S. Initial Quality Study is based on responses from more than 80,900 purchasers and lessees of new 2009 model-year cars, trucks and multi-activity vehicles surveyed after 90 days of ownership. The study is based on a 228-question battery designed to provide manufacturers with information to facilitate identifying problems and drive product improvement. The study was fielded between February and May 2009.

Find more detailed results on new-vehicle quality performance as well as model photos and specs by reading an article, browsing a photo gallery and reviewing quality ratings at JDPower.com

2009 Nameplate IQS Ranking Problems per 100 Vehicles

Lexus 84
Porsche 90
Cadillac 91
Hyundai 95
Honda 99
Mercedes-Benz 101
Toyota 101
Ford 102
Chevrolet 103
Suzuki 103
Infiniti 106
Mercury 106
Industry Average 108
Nissan 110
Acura 111
BMW 112
Kia 112
Volkswagen 112
GMC 116
Buick 117
Audi 118
Pontiac 118
Scion 118
Volvo 118
Saturn 120
Mazda 123
Lincoln 129
Subaru 130
Dodge 134
Jaguar 134
Mitsubishi 135
Chrysler 136
HUMMER 136
Jeep 137
SAAB 138
smart 138
Land Rover 150
MINI 165

Top Three Models per Segment
Car Segments

Sub-Compact Car
Highest Ranked: Toyota Yaris
Hyundai Accent
Honda Fit

Compact Car
Highest Ranked: Hyundai Elantra Sedan
Toyota Prius
Honda Civic

Compact Sporty Car*
Highest Ranked: Scion tC
Volkswagen GTI

Compact Premium Sporty Car*
Highest Ranked: Nissan Z
Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class

Entry Premium Vehicle
Highest Ranked: Lexus IS
Cadillac CTS (tie)
Infiniti G-Series (tie)

Midsize Premium Car
Highest Ranked: Lexus GS
Acura RL
Lexus ES

Midsize Sporty Car*
Highest Ranked: Ford Mustang

Large Premium Car*
Highest Ranked: Lexus LS
Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Midsize Car
Highest Ranked: Nissan Altima
Pontiac G6
Chevrolet Malibu

Large Car
Highest Ranked: Mercury Sable
Toyota Avalon
Chevrolet Impala

NOTE: For a segment award to be issued, there must be at least three
models with sufficient sample that comprise 80 percent of market sales within
an award segment. There were only two premium sporty models and no large van
models with sufficient sample size, thus no premium sporty or large van awards
have been issued.

*No other model in this segment performs above the segment average.

Top Three Models per Segment
Truck/Multi-Activity Vehicle (MAV) Segments

Compact MAV
Highest Ranked: Chrysler PT Cruiser Wagon (tie); Honda CR-V (tie)
Mitsubishi Outlander

Midsize MAV
Highest Ranked: Chevrolet TrailBlazer (tie); Ford Edge (tie);
Toyota 4Runner (tie)

Large MAV*
Highest Ranked: GMC Yukon
Chevrolet Tahoe

Midsize Premium MAV
Highest Ranked: Lexus GX
Lexus RX
Cadillac SRX

Large Premium MAV
Highest Ranked: Lexus LX
Cadillac Escalade
Mercedes-Benz GL-Class

Large Pickup
Highest Ranked: Ford F-150 (tie); Toyota Tundra (tie)
Chevrolet Avalanche

Midsize Pickup
Highest Ranked: Honda Ridgeline
Nissan Frontier
Ford Ranger

Minivan*
Highest Ranked: Toyota Sienna
Honda Odyssey

NOTE: For a segment award to be issued, there must be at least three
models with sufficient sample that comprise 80 percent of market sales within
an award segment. There were only two premium sporty models and no large van
models with sufficient sample size, thus no premium sporty or large van awards
have been issued.

*No other model in this segment performs above the segment average.

2009 Assembly Plant Quality Award Recipients
Based on Vehicles Produced for U.S. Market

Award PP100 Model(s) Produced at Plant
(defects/
malfunctions only)

Platinum Award
Toyota Motor Corporation
-- Higashi-Fuji, Japan 29 Lexus SC and Toyota
Corolla

North/South America

Gold Award
Honda Motor Company
-- East Liberty, Ohio 41 Honda Civic, CR-V and
Element

Silver Award
General Motors Corporation
-- Oshawa, Ontario (Car) 42 Buick LaCrosse and
Chevrolet Impala

Bronze Award
Ford Motor Company
-- Kentucky Truck 43 Ford F-250/F-350 Super
Duty

Bronze Award
General Motors Corporation
-- Bowling Green, KY 43 Cadillac XLR and
Chevrolet Corvette

Bronze Award
Toyota Motor Corporation
-- Georgetown, KY 43 Toyota Avalon, Camry and
Venza

Asia Pacific

Silver Award
Toyota Motor Corporation
-- Fujimatsu, Japan 30 Toyota Prius

Bronze Award
Toyota Motor Corporation
-- Kyushu, Japan 34 Lexus ES; IS; and RX;
Toyota Highlander

Europe and Africa

Gold Award
Daimler
-- East London, South Africa 38 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Silver Award
BMW
-- Dingolfing, Germany 40 BMW 5 Series and 6 Series

Silver Award
Daimler
-- Bremen, Germany 40 Mercedes-Benz C-Class;
SL-Class; and SLK-Class