The Hindu Business Line : 3 Chevrolet models find top spot in J.D. Power study

Mumbai, Nov. 28 Three Chevrolet models rank highest in their respective segments in initial quality valuations in India, according to the J.D. Power Asia Pacific 2007 India Initial Quality Study (IQS) released on Wednesday.

The study, which serves as the industry benchmark for new-vehicle quality measured at two to six months of ownership, examines more than 200 problem symptoms in two distinct categories — quality of design and quality of production — across eight vehicle components: vehicle exterior; driving experience; features, controls and displays; audio, entertainment and navigation; seats; heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC); vehicle interior; and engine and transmission.

Overall quality performance is based on both design quality and production quality problems per 100 vehicles are assessed with lower scores, indicating a lower rate of problem incidences and higher vehicle quality.

The new Chevrolet Spark leads the compact car segment with a score of 127 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100).

The Honda City and Chevrolet Aveo tie for the top position in the midsize segment with a score of 109 each, while the Chevrolet Optra ranks highest in the premium midsize segment.

“Chevrolet’s performance in the 2007 India IQS is encouraging,” said Mr Mohit Arora, senior director at J.D. Power Asia Pacific, Singapore. “The recent model launches from the company, combined with its aggressive efforts in improving product quality, underscore the brand’s growing success in the Indian market.”

In the premium compact segment, Maruti Swift ranks highest with a score of 116. The new Honda CR-V, with only 50 problems per 100 vehicles, tops the SUV segment.

In the entry midsize segment, the newly launched Mahindra-Renault Logan ranks highest with the score of 65.

In the MUV/MPV segment, the Toyota Innova (with a score of 111) ranks highest for a third consecutive year.

“The current-generation Honda CR-V has been improved in a number of areas, including a new vehicle exterior and interior,” said Mr Arora.

“As a result of these enhancements, the Honda CR-V emerges as the model with the fewest problems reported in both quality and design.”

Problem categories

The study finds that initial quality of new vehicles in India averages 173 PP100 in 2007, with more than one-half (54 per cent) of new-vehicle owners reporting at least one problem within the first six months of ownership.

Engine-and transmission-related problems are the most frequently reported, followed by problems related to vehicle exterior and driving experience.

Together, these three problem categories comprise two-thirds of the total number of vehicle problems experienced in India.

Among all problem symptoms covered in the study, excessive fuel consumption remains the most frequent customer-reported problem.

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