Buick, Mercury Rank Well in ‘09 Vehicle Dependability Study
Buick ranked highest in vehicle dependability, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) released today. Buick improved from a sixth-place ranking in 2008.
“Buick has ranked among the top 10 nameplates each year since the study was last redesigned in 2003, while Jaguar has moved rapidly up the rankings,” said David Sargent, vice president of automotive research at J.D. Power and Associates.
Tying Buick for the top spot was Jaguar, now owned by Tata Motors. Ford owned Jaguar until 2008. Mercury placed a solid fifth. The study measures problems experienced by original owners of vehicles that are three years old, so the study findings are on 2006 model-year vehicles.
According to a company press release, “The 2009 Vehicle Dependability Study is based on responses from more than 46,000 original owners of 2006 model-year vehicles. The study was fielded in October 2008.” Read J.D. Power’s article on the full study here.
“Buick has ranked among the top 10 nameplates each year since the study was last redesigned in 2003, while Jaguar has moved rapidly up the rankings,” said David Sargent, vice president of automotive research at J.D. Power and Associates.
Tying Buick for the top spot was Jaguar, now owned by Tata Motors. Ford owned Jaguar until 2008. Mercury placed a solid fifth. The study measures problems experienced by original owners of vehicles that are three years old, so the study findings are on 2006 model-year vehicles.
According to a company press release, “The 2009 Vehicle Dependability Study is based on responses from more than 46,000 original owners of 2006 model-year vehicles. The study was fielded in October 2008.” Read J.D. Power’s article on the full study here.
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Chris Kivi on -
There are so many new models and upgraded versions of the models checked that I wonder how relevant this study really is? Most people will look at the 2009 Study title and assume it's for 2009 models - because most people don't delve into the details since we're a "headline nation". I think the best way to place the merits of this study is to associate these vehicles with used car market only.
-
Permalink Reply by Greg Goebel on -
I disagree. Just as a balance sheet is just a snapshot of a company's financial health at a moment in time, this study is indicative of the quality of the manufacturers for an entire year in time. A balance sheet speaks mountains about a company's health, and this does the same to the critics that state the U.S. cannot build a quality vehicle.
The initial quality survey on the other hand tells a story about the first 90 days of ownership - a period of time where vehicles are virtually all under warranty. A three year old model will often be out from underneath a manufacturers warranty and certainly will have given an owner(s) plenty of opportunity for poor quality to show through.
The fact that Lexus has had a stronghold on the title for 14 years running has certainly cemented the perception of Lexus = Quality in the minds of most buyers. For two manufacturers GM and Jaguar who have historically had the perception of lesser quality, I feel it speaks mountains.
The fact that domestics dominated the positions in the automobile categories shows that all US manufacturers can build quality vehicles, and, at this point, people are really beginning to split hairs over the quality in most vehicles. Compare the quality to a decade ago and all manufacturers are light years beyond what it used to be.
-
Permalink Reply by Gene Daughtry on -
If anyone wants to know what cars hold up, just ask a BHPH dealer. We are married to the cars for 2-3 years. Buicks have been good cars for along time. Toyota (Lexus), Nissans, and Mazda's all have plenty of problems and they are expensive to fix. On my weekly radio show people ask what is best to buy and I always discuss Buick's.
-
Permalink Reply by Chris Wray on -
Gene,
What type of system do you have in place to make sure you're buying vehicles that will make you the most money up front since you have so much vested in them for 2-3 years?
-
Permalink Reply by Gene Daughtry on
-
I don't really have a system. I got my experience from dealing with special financing since 1992 then running a 16 year old note operation that sold old cheap cars. After that I moved into a 15 year old note operation (2500 open loans) that sold expensive high line cars. I used to book out cars until I reached a point where I knew what I wanted to pay for which vehicles and I haven't had a problem in years. Since I price our vehicles up from cost we make a steady gross.
-
Permalink Reply by Harlene Doane on -
This study just proves what I've known for years. We own three Buicks in our household. For that matter we've owned a Buick of some type for more than 15 years.
-
Permalink Reply by Courtney Cole on -
I am not much for surveys but this sure beats Consumer Reports and their biased reporting! Does anyone have the 2006 Consumer Report. I wonder where Buick and Jaguar are ranked.
© 2010 Created by Greg Goebel.
