J.D. Power Study: US New Vehicle Quality Makes Largest Improvement in 7 Years

摘要

New vehicle quality has improved 6 percent, double the 3 percent rate of improvement in 2015, marking the largest increase since 2009, according to the J.D. Power 2016 U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS). The study, now in its 30th year, examines problems experienced by vehicle owners during the first 90 days of ownership. Initial quality is determined by the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100), with a lower score reflecting higher quality. Quality improves across all eight problem categories measured in the study, with 21 of the 33 brands included in the study improving their quality in 2016 and one remaining the same. "Manufacturers are currently making some of the highest quality products we've ever seen," said Renee Stephens, vice president of U.S. automotive quality at J.D. Power. "Tracking our data over the past several years, it has become clear that automakers are listening to the customer, identifying pain points and are focused on continuous improvement. Even as they add more content, including advanced technologies that have had a reputation for causing problems, overall quality continues to improve."