(DETROIT) — New-vehicle quality improves 6%, double the 3% rate of improvements in 2015 and the largest increase since 2009, according to the J.D. Power 2016 U.S. Initial Quality Study. Renee Stephens, vice-president of U.S. automotive quality at J.D. Power said, “Manufacturers are currently making some of the highest quality products we’ve ever seen.” She went on to say that, “tracking our data over the past several years, it has become clear that automakers are listening to the customer, identifying pain points and are focused on continuous improvement. Even as they add more content, including advance technologies that have had a reputation for causing problem, ove3rall quality continues to improve.”
All three U.S. domestic automakers post year-over-year quality improvements. The “Detroit Three” achieve a combined average of 103 PP100, improving 10% from 2015, which is double the improvement rate of the import brands at 106 PP100. The last time U.S. domestic brands outpaced imports was in 2010, when they held a 1 PP100 advantage.
Chrysler and Jeep are the most improved brands, each reducing the number of problems by 28 PP100 from 2015. General Motors received seven model-level awards. Those models that rank highest in their respective segments are the Buick Cascada; Chevrolet Equinox; Chevrolet Silverado HD; Chevrolet Silverado LD; Chevrolet Spark; Chevrolet Tahoe; and GMC Terrain.
Top Models:
City Car-Chevrolet Spark
Compact Sporty Car-Busick Cascada
Compact Premium Car-Lincoln MKZ
Compact SUV-Chevrolet Equinox & GMC Terrain (tie)
Large SUV-Chevrolet Tahoe
Premium SUV-Lincoln Navigator
Large Light Duty Pickup-Chevrolet Silverado LD
Large Heavy Duty Pickup-Chevrolet Silverado HD
G.B.V, J.B.
