USA - General Motors takes 11 awards at the J.D. Power U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution & Layout study.

Demonstrating its commitment to designing quality vehicles that meet consumer needs, General Motors received six segment-level awards — the most of any automaker — in the 2016 J.D. Power U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) study released today.

This follows GM’s leadership in the J.D. Power 2016 Vehicle Dependability Study and the J.D. Power 2016 Initial Quality Study, where it had the most models ranked highest in segment.

Through customer surveys, the APEAL Study examines how gratifying a new vehicle is to own and drive. Owners evaluate their vehicle across 77 attributes that make up an overall brand score measured on a 1,000-point scale.

“These awards are a great recognition of the progress we are making in the design and development of our vehicles,” said Tony Francavilla, General Motors vice president of quality. “We realize that every touch point, whether it is the vehicle’s appeal, initial quality or long-term durability, impacts our ability to earn customers for life.”

In addition to earning the most segment-level awards, GM also earned the most top-three places.

Model Highlights by Brand

Chevrolet

• Sonic – Segment Award, Small Car (2^nd Year in a Row)
• Camaro – Segment Award, Midsize Sporty Car
• Colorado – Midsize Pickup (2^nd Year in a Row)
• Tahoe – Large SUV
• Silverado – Ranks Third, Large Light Duty Pickup
• Silverado HD – Ranks Second, Large Heavy Duty Pickup

Buick

• Cascada – Compact Sport Car
• Enclave – Ranked Third (tie), Midsize SUV

GMC

• Sierra HD – Segment Award, Large Heavy Duty Pickup (2^nd Year in a Row)
• Sierra – Ranks Second, Large Light Duty Pickup
• Canyon – Ranks Second, Midsize Pickup

Cadillac

• Escalade – Ranks Second, Large Premium SUV

Kia Sportage ranked first in J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study, with an expanding range, things will only get better.

• Kia Sportage ranked first in J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study
• Sportage outstrips competition in evaluation of 68 models by 15,000 drivers
• Results published in German car magazine ‘AUTO TEST’
• J.D. Power victory follows ‘zero fault’ record for Kia Sportage in ‘Auto Motor und Sport’ 100,000km endurance test in June

The Kia Sportage has picked up another award for its quality and reliability, securing first place in the 2016 J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study in Germany. 

The result comes only six weeks after the Sportage completed a 100,000 kilometre endurance test conducted by German car magazine, Auto Motor und Sport, where it became the first car in the publication’s history to complete the test without a single fault.

In J.D. Power’s Vehicle Dependability Study, a long-term product quality survey, the third-generation Sportage stood out with an extremely low number of faults, measured by J.D. Power in problems per 100 cars (PP100). 

The Sportage’s result of 45 PP100 not only resulted in victory in the Compact SUV segment, but also placed the car first among 68 models from 24 manufacturers in the overall ranking. The Sportage, which is Kia’s bestselling model in Europe, recorded a 13-point lead over the second-place car.

The Kia Sportage displayed no weaknesses in any of the disciplines. In categories for Exterior, Interior and Air Conditioning, it achieved the best ratings of any car in the survey. The Vehicle Dependability Study is conducted annually and is the largest long-term satisfaction survey of German car owners. This year, J.D. Power surveyed 15,453 motorists. The results will be published on 27 July in German car magazine ‘AUTO TEST’.

Steffen Cost, Managing Director (COO), Kia Motors Deutschland, said: “Our customers’ exceptionally high degree of satisfaction with the Kia Sportage is very gratifying. It is further proof of the quality of our cars, which also gained us first place in the ‘Qualitätsreport 2015’ [Quality Report] by ‘Auto Bild’ magazine and which we underscore with our seven-year warranty.

“We are convinced that the fourth generation of the Kia Sportage, which went on sale in January 2016, will also satisfy customers fully. The new model is a highly-developed compact SUV with a premium level interior, an award-winning exterior design, the latest comfort and safety technologies, a more efficient choice of engines, the new GT Line model – and, of course, Kia’s high quality.”

Back-to-back wins as ŠKODA is named top for dependability by J.D Power with two models winning their segments.

• Back-to-back wins as ŠKODA is named top for dependability by J.D Power
• ŠKODA improved score over 2015 and extended lead over rivals
• More than 13,000 owners surveyed
• Fabia and Yeti both named most dependable models in their sectors
   

It’s official: ŠKODA ranks as the top automotive brand in the UK for vehicle dependability. The Czech manufacturer has recorded back-to-back victories in the J.D. Power UK Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) – with two models topping their sector for quality and reliability.

The study, now in its second year, measured problems experienced during the past 12 months by original owners of vehicles in the UK after 12-36 months of ownership. The findings were based on responses from more than 13,000 owners of 2013-2015 models.

J.D. Power examined 177 problem symptoms across eight categories: engine and transmission; vehicle exterior; driving experience; features/controls/displays (FCD); audio/communication/entertainment/navigation (ACEN); seats; heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC); and vehicle interior.

Overall dependability was determined by the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100), with a lower score reflecting higher quality.

ŠKODA ranked the highest for vehicle dependability with a score of 66 PP100 – an even better result than the brand recorded in 2015 and 13 points clear of its nearest rival. The overall industry average was 113 PP100.

The 2016 survey also studied vehicle dependability in key sectors and, once again, ŠKODA models were at the top. The Fabia was ranked at the most dependable car in the Small Car category, while the Yeti finished top of the Compact SUV sector. The Octavia also performed well, finishing second in the Compact Car category.

Skoda Auto takes the top prize in the J.D. Power UK Vehicle Dependability Study 2016.

• Back-to-back wins as ŠKODA is named top for dependability by J.D Power
• ŠKODA improved score over 2015 and extends lead over other manufacturers
• More than 13,000 owners surveyed
• Fabia and Yeti both named most dependable models in their sectors

It’s official: ŠKODA ranks as the top automotive brand in the UK for vehicle dependability. The Czech manufacturer has recorded back-to-back victories in the J.D. Power UK Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) released today – with two models topping their sector for quality and reliability.

The study, now in its second year, measured problems experienced during the past 12 months by original owners of vehicles in the UK after 12-36 months of ownership. The findings were based on responses from more than 13,000 owners of 2013-2015 models.

J.D. Power examined 177 problem symptoms across eight categories: engine and transmission; vehicle exterior; driving experience; features/controls/displays (FCD); audio/communication/entertainment/navigation (ACEN); seats; heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC); and vehicle interior. Overall dependability was determined by the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100), with a lower score reflecting higher quality.

ŠKODA ranked the highest for vehicle dependability with a score of 66 PP100 – an even better result than the brand recorded in 2015, and 13 points clear of the next manufacturer. The overall industry average was 113 PP100.

The 2016 survey also studied vehicle dependability in key sectors and, once again, ŠKODA models were at the top of two categories. The Fabia was ranked at the most dependable car in the Small Car category, while the Yeti finished top of the Compact SUV sector. The Octavia also performed well, finishing second in the Compact Car category.

Kia and it's city car, the Picanto takes an award at the 2016 J.D. Power UK dependability Study.

• Picanto awarded most dependable city car
• Kia ranked third overall brand for dependability
• Success follows on from 2015’s survey

Kia Picanto has been awarded the highest ranking in the city car segment according to the J.D. Power 2016 UK Vehicle Dependability Study. The study, now in its second year, measures problems experienced during the past 12 months by original owners of vehicles in the UK after 12-36 months of ownership.

In addition to this, Kia have also been named the third most dependable brand overall in the 2016 Nameplate VDS Ranking, with just 80 problems per 100 vehicles tested within the study. These results follow on from the success of last year’s study, where Kia also finished in the top three most dependable brands.

Paul Philpott, President and CEO of Kia Motors UK says: “This news is fantastic for our small city car, the Picanto, and indeed for our brand in the UK. This result is testament to the Picanto’s rigorous development and build quality, something which will continue to the all-new Picanto in 2017.”

Moving forward into the third quarter of 2016, Kia has refreshed and upgraded the Picanto with simplified model structures, extra equipment and new trim grades on its 5-door models to make them even more appealing in an increasingly competitive UK small-car market. The Picanto now starts from £8,545

USA - Five Chevrolet vehicles led their segments in the J.D. Power 2016 Initial Quality Study.

Five Chevrolet vehicles led their segments in the J.D. Power 2016 Initial Quality Study. No other brand has more J.D. Power Initial Quality awards than Chevrolet — for the fourth consecutive year.

This follows the brand’s strong showing in the 2016 J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study, where Chevrolet also had more models ranked highest in its segments than any other brand.

“These results play two critical roles in our strategy to bring new retail buyers to the brand,” said Alan Batey, Global Chevrolet president. 

“First, the study results will help attract new buyers to Chevrolet, as J.D. Power data shows ‘expected reliability’ is customers’ top purchase consideration for a new vehicle. 

Second, the improved ownership experience of our new vehicles will help convert first-time Chevrolet buyers into repeat customers, as J.D. Power indicates customers who have a positive experience in the first 90 days of ownership are more likely to become repeat buyers for the brand.”

Chevrolet’s focus on the customer has fueled a 3 percent gain in retail sales for the first five months of 2016. In the same period, Chevrolet’s share of the retail sales grew 0.6 percentage points, making Chevrolet the fastest growing full-line brand in the industry.

Chevrolet segment awards in the 2016 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study include:

• Silverado swept the full-size truck categories, with the Silverado 1500 receiving the top marks for light-duty trucks and the Silverado HD receiving the top marks for heavy-duty trucks.
• Equinox led the compact SUV segment (in a tie), with study results that were 15 points better than the segment average.
• Tahoe lead the large SUV segment, with study results that were 19 points above the segment average.
• Finally, the Spark dominated the city car segment, with study results that were 48 points higher than the segment average.

The study, now in its 30^th year, examines problems experienced by vehicle owners during the first 90 days of ownership. Initial quality is determined by the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100), with a lower score reflecting higher quality.

The 2016 U.S. Initial Quality Study is based on responses from more than 80,000 purchasers and lessees of new 2016 model-year vehicles surveyed after 90 days of ownership. 

The study is based on a 233-question battery organized into eight problem categories designed to provide manufacturers with information to facilitate the identification of problems and drive product improvement. The study was fielded from February through May 2016.

Suzuki's Alto has been rated the UK's most dependable City Car by JD Power for 2015.

J.D. Power has named the Suzuki Alto the most dependable city car in the 2015 UK Vehicle Dependability Study^SM (VDS). The study looks at issues experiences by car owners in the past 12 month period after 12-36 months of ownership. 

177 problem areas across 8 categories are examined and are scored by the number of issues experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100), with the lowest scores reflecting the best dependability.

Overall, Suzuki ranks 3^rd place with 86 PP100 which is a significant margin over the industry average of 114 PP100.  

This is a strong position as Suzuki joins 7 other volume manufacturers in the top 10, with premium manufacturers occupying the other 2 places. The average score for volume manufactures is 103 PP100, compared with 155 PP100 for premium manufacturers.

Aftersales Director, Denis Houston comments. “The results of the latest J.D. Power survey are very encouraging, and demonstrate Suzuki’s commitment to building reliable, dependable cars. 

It is great to hear that customers are satisfied with their purchases 12 months into owning their cars and we hope to continue this trend with the rest of our range.”