German Car Zone

It's that time of year again when automakers either cringe or giggle with glee at the results of the J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study. The IQS measures problems per 100 vehicles during the first 90 days of ownership in the areas of quality of design (i.e. poorly designed cupholders) and defects and malfunctions, and the entire auto industry deserves a pat on the back for improving its average in 2008 to 118 problems per 100 vehicles versus 125 PP100 in 2007. J.D. Power says 86% of that gain came from eliminating defects and malfunction in new vehicles. Follow the jump to find out the best performing makes and models in the 2008 IQS.

Gallery: 2008 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study


Now it's time for the rankings themselves, so let's start with brands before we break it down by vehicle segments. Porsche earned the No. 1 spot for the third year in a row with a stellar score of just 87 PP100, while Infiniti jumped from 9th place to 2nd with 98 PP100. Lexus was right behind in 3rd with 99 PP100, while Mercedes-Benz and Toyota tied for 4th with 104 PP100 each. Notably absent from the top five this year is Lincoln, which made headlines in 2007 by earning 3rd place, but fell all the way to 15th in 2008. The highest placing Ford brand this year was Mercury in 5th with 109 PP100, while Ford itself landed in 7th place with 112 PP100. GM's highest performers were Cadillac and Chevy in 10th place, both with 113 PP100, while Pontiac and Buick both scored above the industry average of 118 PP100. Chrysler LLC brands, however, did not do well with all three placing below the industry average. Dodge was highest in the 20th position at 141 PP100, with Chrysler following at 142 PP100 and Jeep coming in dead last with 167 PP100.

Honda already has a big feather for its cap this week after the Civic beat the Ford F-150 in May as best-selling vehicle in the U.S., and the 2008 IQS will add three more quills to the brand's heavy hat. The Honda Fit, Civic and CR-V were all segment leaders, giving Honda the most for any single brand. Honda America also added the Infiniti M-Series and EX-Series. The EX-Series is in its first model year, so winning its segment for 2008 is especially impressive. Kudos are due the new Chevy Malibu, which also led its segment during its first year of production. Though Chrysler brands didn't perform well, the Dodge Dakota and Durango did win the segments of Midsize Pickup and Midsize MAV (SUV). Meanwhile, the Porsche 911 posted the lowest PP100 of all vehicles in the industry at just 67.



PRESS RELEASE


--->> J.D Power releases 2008 Initial Quality Study - Autoblog

MB fourth tie,not bad

great news for MB

Indeed my friends!

Look at how many times Mercedes hit the top 3-spots in different class segments. As I said before MB has really tightened the belt with quality control more so than the competition.

I think we MB fans now have something to brag about, it` quality and it`s a good thing!

I have read that BMW topped the list ?

For below standard?

Good news for MB. These are great indicators that quality and quality control have been stepped up.

I guess Dr. Zetsche is doing a really good job. Well done MB!

The real data (the 3-year dependability study) will be released soon, then we can see how much real progress Mercedes has made. The 3 year of course will look back at 2005 models, I bet the results won't be nearly as rosey.

M

The 3-year study should come for the 2007-8 models which will have to wait
for a 3-year course (2010-11). The 2005 models won`t (or shouldn`t) be considered for 2008 model tests.

These results shoud be just as much an improvement.

Give me a good reason why the 2008 MBs would slip during a 3-year course with the quality control it has stepped up to.