The Hindu Business Line : Chevy models top quality rankings

Customer satisfaction research and consulting services outfit J. D. Power Asia Pacific's 2007 India Initial Quality Study (IQS) has, for the first time, thrown up three Chevrolet models as the top ranking vehicles in initial quality in their respective segments.

The study, which measures new-vehicle quality at two-six months of ownership, has been completely redesigned for the 2007 edition to provide manufacturers with deeper insights and more actionable information.

The results could enable manufacturers improve problem determination and drive product improvement.

The redesigned IQS now examines more than 200 problem symptoms in two separate categories - quality of design and quality of production - across eight vehicle components. They include 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 of performance is based on both design and production quality problems per 100 vehicles (PP100), with lower scores indicating a lower rate of problem incidences and higher overall vehicle quality. The Chevrolet Spark leads the compact car segment with a score of 127 PP100.

The Honda City and Chevrolet Aveo tie for the top rank position in the midsize segment with a score of 109 PP100 each, while the Chevrolet Optra (97 PP100) ranks highest in the premium midsize segment.

New to the study rankings in 2007 are the premium compact and SUV segments. In the premium compact segment, the Maruti-Suzuki Swift (116 PP100) ranks highest, while the new Honda CR-V (50 PP100) tops the SUV segment.

In the entry midsize segment, the newly launched Mahindra-Renault Logan ranks highest with 65 PP100, while in the MUV/MPV segment, the Toyota Innova (111 PP100) ranks highest for a third consecutive year.

THE FINDINGS

Some of the findings of the study are:

The initial quality of new vehicles in India averaged 173 PP100 in 2007.

More than one-half (54 per cent) of new-vehicle owners reported 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.

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

In 2007, 61 per cent of all problems reported are categorised as defects/malfunctions, while more than one-third of all problems reported are related to design issues.

Performing well in both design quality and production are equally important and could provide a manufacturer with an added advantage in the highly competitive and fast maturing automotive industry in India.

Now in its 11th year, the 2007 edition of the India Initial Quality Study (IQS) is based on evaluations from nearly 6,000 owners who purchased a new vehicle between November 2006 and July 2007.

The study included 43 vehicle models covering 11 makes. The study was fielded from May to September 2007 in 15 cities across India.

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