Study:
Lexus Ranks Highest in Long-Term Dependability
 |
| 1998
Lexus GS 400 | Lexus
ranks highest in long-term dependability for the eighth consecutive year, according
to the J.D. Power and Associates 2002 Vehicle Dependability Index (VDI) StudySM
released today. All of the top five ranking nameplates in the study are Japanese
brands, with Infiniti, Acura, Honda and Toyota following Lexus, respectively. The
study finds that at 159 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100), the average four-to
five-year-old Lexus has fewer problems than the average 1998 model-year vehicle
did when it was new (176 PP100). Lexus owners report the smallest increase in
problems of any nameplate, as measured at 90 days of ownership to the four- to
five-year mark. "Lexus
vehicles certainly benefit from their consistency in long-term dependability,"
said Brian Walters, director of product research at J.D. Power and Associates.
"VDI measures vehicle problems at a critical stage, when many owners are
considering replacing their vehicles. The perception of strong long-term dependability
can translate into both high resale value and strong owner loyalty to the nameplate.
More than one-half of new-vehicle buyers indicate that long-term durability is
an important consideration when choosing which make of vehicle to purchase." Among
the 15 nameplates scoring above industry average in the 2002 VDI, eight are Japanese
brands (Lexus, Infiniti, Acura, Honda, Toyota, Subaru, Nissan and Mazda); four
are domestic (Buick, Cadillac, Lincoln and Mercury); and three are European (Porsche,
Jaguar and BMW). The
industry has improved vehicle dependability by 27 PP100 in 2002-a 7 percent increase
over 2001. Interestingly, industry-level new-vehicle quality, as measured by the
J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study (IQS),SM has also shown an annual
average improvement of just under 7 percent over the past four years. "Six
of the top 10 problems in VDI are also among the problem symptoms that have experienced
the greatest deterioration between IQS and VDI, suggesting that many of the vehicle
quality issues that arise early in the ownership period not only persist, but
worsen with time and mileage," said Walters. "For
most problems measured in IQS and VDI, the opportunity for product improvement
occurs in the design and engineering phases of future model replacements." The
Vehicle Dependability Index Study, now in its 13th year, is based this year on
survey responses from more than 30,000 original owners of 1998 model-year vehicles.
The study monitors the number and type of problems owners have with their four-
to five-year-old vehicles and covers 137 specific problem areas in nine categories.
For more information, www.jdpa.com | 
