Domestic automakers make gains in quality survey

ByABC News
June 22, 2009, 3:36 PM

— -- Even in a year of financial stress, Detroit carmakers outpaced the industry in quality gains, J.D. Power and Associates said Monday.

The initial quality of Chrysler, Ford and General Motors 2009 brands increased 10% over 2008, beating the industry improvement of 8%. The initial quality study polls new car buyers 90 days after they've purchased their vehicles and asks them to grade their cars on repair problems things that have broken and design issues such as whether the radio is easy to use.

"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.

Lexus came in first in the annual study, overtaking Porsche, which had been in first place for three years. Overall industry quality improved for a second year, to an industry average of 108 reported problems per 100 vehicles, down from 118 in 2008.

Among notable changes, Jaguar dropped from ninth in 2008 to tied for 28th in 2009. That's mostly a statistical fluke, Jaguar says, because most of the buyers surveyed acquired a Jaguar XF, which had some initial problems that have since been fixed.

Chrysler and GM filed for bankruptcy-court protection this year after the steep drop in auto sales made their financial challenges insurmountable. With billions in loans from the federal government, both are attempting to recast themselves as smaller, leaner carmakers.

GM's budget issues have plagued it for longer than the recent crisis, says Jamie Hresko, the automaker's vice president of quality. But about five years ago, GM adjusted how it deals with quality issues and reprioritized quality concerns. Hresko says there has been no attempt to cut corners or take the cheap way out on quality issues.

GM's Cadillac came in third, behind Lexus and Porsche. Its mass-market Chevrolet brand came in ninth, two points behind Toyota's seventh-place finish. Hresko says that's statistically on par with Toyota.