Lexus Retains #1 Ranking in J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study(SM)
1 April 1998
Lexus Retains #1 Ranking in J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study(SM)AGOURA HILLS, Calif., April 1 -- For the fourth year, in as many years of eligibility, Lexus ranks number one in the J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study and again receives the award for the "Number 1 Nameplate in Long-Term Dependability." The Lexus nameplate improves by 50 PP100 over 1997, with a score of 167 PP100. Lexus remains the only nameplate to score under 200 problems per 100 in the nine-year history of this study. Additionally, every model in the Lexus 1993 carline scores at or below 200 PP100 in this study of five-year old vehicles: Lexus LS 400 (132), Lexus SC 300/SC 400 (149), Lexus ES 300 (183), and the Lexus GS 300 (200). Cadillac achieves the second-highest ranking in the study also for the fourth year in a row, followed by Infiniti. The Cadillac DeVille is also one of the five models that score at or below 200 problems per 100 vehicles, with a score of 191 PP100. "The increase in long-term dependability is an excellent sign of things to come for used-vehicle purchasers and a challenge for manufacturers who must continue these long-term improvements as consumer expectations rise," commented Jon Power, manager of the Vehicle Dependability Study at J.D. Power and Associates. "Manufacturers who continue to meet consumer needs for a vehicle that goes the distance, at a price that is relative to quality, will dominate the industry. It is not only where you are that is important, but where you are headed as well," Mr. Power said. For the first time in history of the Vehicle Dependability Study, used vehicles were also included. According to the study, recent retail trends regarding used vehicles have made understanding long-term quality increasingly important. Essentially, used vehicles are becoming a viable alternative to new vehicles for today's consumers, and the industry has responded with certification programs and used-vehicle superstores. The study identifies the makes and models that are good used-vehicle candidates (the attachment includes those models that set longer-term dependability benchmarks in several key vehicle categories). The Vehicle Dependability Study was conducted among original and second owners of 1993 model-year vehicles. Respondents were asked to rate their vehicle across 89 problem categories based on the last 12 months of ownership. Information from the study is designed to help manufacturers improve overall reliability and dependability over the long term. J.D. Power and Associates is an international firm best known for its marketing information services in key business sectors including market research, forecasting and customer satisfaction. The firm's quality and satisfaction measurements are based on actual customer responses from over one million consumers annually. With its headquarters in Agoura Hills, California, the firm also has U.S. offices in Torrance, California; Michigan; and Connecticut. Its international locations include Japan, Korea, England, Canada and Brazil. J.D. Power and Associates can be accessed through the World Wide Web at http://www.jdpower.com. Media email contact: john.pepitone@jdpower.com. This press release is provided for editorial use only. No advertising or other promotional use can be made of the information in this release or J.D. Power and Associates survey results without the express prior written consent of J.D. Power and Associates. J.D. Power and Associates 1998 Vehicle Dependability Study Nameplate Performance Based on Problems Per 100 Vehicles (Lower Score is Better) Lexus: 167 Cadillac: 234 Infiniti: 273 Mercedes-Benz: 278 Acura: 281 Buick: 290 Lincoln: 312 Toyota: 313 Audi: 316 Oldsmobile: 317 BMW: 319 Honda: 341 Saturn: 357 Saab: 359 Subaru: 360 Volvo: 381 Jaguar: 386 Mercury: 387 Nissan: 391 1998 Industry Average = 399 Finishing below industry average in alphabetical order are: Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Eagle, Ford, Geo, GMC, Hyundai, Jeep, Land Rover, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Plymouth, Pontiac and Volkswagen. J.D. Power and Associates 1998 Vehicle Dependability Study(SM) Top Three Vehicles Per Segment In Vehicle Dependability (in alphabetical order) Car Segment Truck Segment Compact Car Pickup Honda Civic Mazda Pickup Saturn Sedan/Wagon Toyota Pickup Subaru Impreza Toyota T100 Luxury Car SUV Lexus ES 300 Isuzu Trooper Lexus LS 400 Toyota Landcruiser Lexus SC 300/400 Toyota 4Runner Midsize Car Van Buick Regal Coupe Tie: Ford Econoline/Club Wagon Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera and Mazda MPV Buick LeSabre Oldsmobile Silhouette Toyota Previa Sporty Car Mazda Miata Toyota MR2 Toyota Supra Source: (C) J.D. Power and Associates 1998 Vehicle Dependability Study(SM) SOURCE J.D. Power and Associates