J.D. Power Asia Pacific Reports: New-Vehicle Quality in Thailand Improves 28 Percent As the Number of Problems Drops Considerably in 2013
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
J.D. Power Asia Pacific Reports: New-Vehicle Quality in Thailand Improves 28 Percent as the Number of Problems Drops Considerably in 2013 Toyota Models Rank Highest in Four Segments; Honda Models Rank Highest in Three BANGKOK: 2 December 2013 — Initial new-vehicle quality in Thailand improves 28 percent in 2013, according to the J.D. Power Asia Pacific 2013 Thailand Initial Quality StudySM (IQS) released today KEY FINDINGS Overall initial quality averages 84 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) in 2013, compared with 116 PP100 in 2012. Forty-four percent of new-vehicle owners report no problems in the first two to six months of ownership, an improvement from 29 percent in 2012. Premium midsize car owners report the fewest number of problems with their vehicle (55 PP100), while compact car owners report the most problems (108 PP100). Excessive wind noise remains the most frequently cited problem, reported by one in eight new- vehicle owners. Despite a decrease in the average number of problems experienced, more problems related to noisy brakes, engine idling and squeak or rattle noises from the instrument panel/ dashboard are reported in 2013, compared with 2012. Excessive fuel consumption is among the top five most reported problems. The study finds that fewer than one-third of owners were told about the fuel efficiency when they purchased their vehicle. “Efforts and investments made at improving vehicle manufacturing quality in Thailand are starting to be reflected, as fewer owners are reporting problems with their vehicle during the first few months of ownership,” said Loic Pean, senior manager at J.D. Power Asia Pacific. “At the same time, vehicle owner expectations are increasing. In particular, owner feedback indicates increasing sensitivity to build quality and comfort features inside the cabin, including air-conditioning, interior materials and the audio/ entertainment/ navigation system.” Initial Quality Study Rankings Among the 78 models included in the study, four models from Toyota (Camry Hybrid; Hilux Vigo Champ Prerunner D-Cab; Hilux Vigo Champ S-Cab; and Hilux Vigo Champ Smart Cab) rank highest in their respective segments. Three models from Honda (Brio; City; and CRV) and one model from Mazda (Mazda3) also rank highest in their respective segments. The 2013 Thailand Initial Quality Study (IQS) is based on evaluations from 5,015 owners who purchased their new vehicle between October 2012 and June 2013. The study covers 13 different makes that include 78 different passenger car, pickup truck and utility vehicle models. The study was fielded between April and August 2013. (Page 1 of 3) About J.D. Power Asia Pacific J.D. Power Asia Pacific has offices in Tokyo, Singapore, Beijing, Shanghai and Bangkok that conduct customer satisfaction research and provide performance analytics services in the automotive, information technology and finance industries. Together, the five offices bring the language of customer satisfaction to consumers and businesses in Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. Information regarding J.D. Power Asia Pacific and its products can be accessed through the Internet at JDPower.com. Media e-mail contact: [email protected]. About J.D. Power and Advertising/Promotional Rules http://www.jdpower.com/about/index.htm About McGraw Hill Financial www.mhfi.com Media Relations Contacts XingTi Liu; J.D. Power Asia Pacific; 08-Shenton Way, #44-02/03/04; Singapore, 068811; Phone +65 6 733 8980; [email protected] Office Locations John Tews; Director, Media Relations; J.D. Power; Troy, Michigan 48083 USA; +001 248 680 6218; [email protected] # # # (Page 2 of 2) NOTE: One chart follows. J.D. Power Asia Pacific 2013 Thailand Initial Quality StudySM (IQS) Top Three Vehicles per Segment in Initial Quality Lower score reflects better quality performance Problems per 100 Vehicles (PP100) 0 50 100 150 Compact Car Honda Brio 62 Honda Brio Amaze 89 Suzuki Swift 107 Compact Car Average 108 Entry Midsize Car Honda City 58 (Old) Toyota Vios 59 Toyota Vios 62 Entry Midsize Car Average 77 Midsize Car Mazda3 52 Ford Focus 64 Toyota Corolla Altis 67 Midsize Car Average 75 Premium Midsize Car Toyota Camry Hybrid 30 Premium Midsize Car Average 55 Toyota Camry 61 Honda Accord 67 SUV Honda CR-V 61 Toyota Fortuner 72 Chevrolet Captiva 75 SUV Average 78 Pickup Single Cab Toyota Hilux Vigo Champ S-Cab 60 Pickup Single Cab Average 77 Isuzu D-Max Spark 86 Mitsubishi Triton 89 Pickup Extended Cab Toyota Hilux Vigo Champ Smart Cab 78 Toyota Hilux Vigo Champ Prerunner Smart Cab 91 Mitsubishi Triton Plus 94 Pickup Extended Cab Average 96 Pickup Double Cab Toyota Hilux Vigo Champ Prerunner 70 Isuzu D-Max Cab-4 / V-Cross 73 Ford Ranger Hi-Rider 82 Pickup Double Cab Average 84 Note: Only the top three vehicles per segment are shown above. Official rankings are published only for segments with at least three models with sufficient sample and at least one with an IQS score better than segment average. No official rankings are published for the luxury car and MPV segments. Source: J.D. Power Asia Pacific 2013 Thailand Initial Quality StudySM (IQS) Charts and graphs extracted from this press release must be accompanied by a statement identifying J.D. Power Asia Pacific as the publisher and the J.D. Power Asia Pacific 2013 Thailand Initial Quality StudySM (IQS) as the source. Rankings are based on numerical scores and not necessarily on statistical significance. No advertising or other promotional use can be made of the information in this release or J.D. Power Asia Pacific study results without the express prior written consent of J.D. Power Asia Pacific. .