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