[4x4addict]

JD Power has released it's 2009 Vehicle Dependability Study. This study is good since it covers the vehicle over a three year period so this refers to the 2006 model year vehicles. They also have an Long Term dependability study which covers five years of ownership, which I think is even more useful.


I think it is relevant to the Indian Market since some of these models are sold as CBUs at extremely high prices to unsuspecting Indians and I think we should be aware of how these brands that charge us upwards of 20 Lakhs hold up in the the North American market which by the way is one of the most competitive car markets in the world.

I am sure that some fans of the models that trail the pack will post their justifications that JD Power is wrong and why their brands are still the best. But I just want people to consider this before cutting the check.

Let the games begin:

[morphin1]

Thanks for the above chart. Looks like VW/Skoda aren't doing too well hehe.

[SkyWalker]

Suzuki is at the bottom of the pile!

[supremeBaleno]

@skywalker, that was exactly my first thought on seeing the chart.

On a lighter note, I wonder how they managed to get 100 Suzukis in total to check for problems - I did not see many Suzukis during my short trips to the US. I saw more Hyundais than Suzukis.

[4x4addict]

Originally Posted by SkyWalker

Suzuki is at the bottom of the pile!

These are for 2006 model year vehicles. At that time the only Proper Suzuki Models sold in US as the Aero/Liana compact car and the Grand Vitara and XL-7. The rest were re-badged Daewoos or Chevys. That might explain their poor performance. These were the 2006 Models sold in North America by Suzuki.

1. Suzuki Aero. (Suzuki)
2. Grand Vitara/XL-7 (Suzuki)
3. Suzuki Reno (Daewoo Lacetti Hatch/Chaewoo Optra)
4. Suzuki Forenza (Daewoo Lacetti Hatch/Chaewoo Optra)
5. Suzuki Verona (Daewoo Magnus).

Remeber that GM had a stake in Suzuki during this period and since GM had bought Daewoo many of the Suzuki's sold in North Amerca were rebadged Daewoos.

[lamborghini]

Two things caught my attention:
- Audi is doing better than MB and BMW.
- Jaguar is second (something very surprising to me as I have heard of horrible reliability from jags).

Lexus/Toyota are right there on the top 3/4.
Honda has not fared as well though.

[vipul_singh]

Buick is on top! Mercury, Lincoln and Cadillac not too bad either. Wonder why is GM not doing so well then?

I guess the americans are being too charitable with the home grown brands when reporting problems.

[aaggoswami]

Isnt this same as this :
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/intern...r-service.html

[4x4addict]

Originally Posted by aaggoswami

Isnt this same as this :
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/intern...r-service.html

No. JD has different surveys. The one in your link is for the Dealer service and not the vehicle dependability.

[oss]

Originally Posted by supremeBaleno

On a lighter note, I wonder how they managed to get 100 Suzukis in total to check for problems - I did not see many Suzukis during my short trips to the US. I saw more Hyundais than Suzukis.

That's a good one I am sure they had to do some extrapolation to get the results. But for the Hayabusa, Americans wouldn't have probably heard of Suzuki in the first place. It's no market for small cars.

[vasudeva]

Originally Posted by morphin1

Thanks for the above chart. Looks like VW/Skoda aren't doing too well hehe.

Skoda does not sell in the US. As for VW, CR recommends Jetta 2.5, but not the Jetta TDI, New Beetle, Rabbit, Passat, CC,Eos, etc.

[vasudeva]

This is the result from US VDS for 2008. See how each nameplate has moved:

[shortbread]

Strange seeing JLR at both ends of the spectrum, Jaguar on top and Land Rover at the bottom. One maybe should also take into account the abuse SUVs especially Land Rovers might face vis a vis luxury cars.
Mercedes Benz is continuing to see its horrible reliability form, although its only just below industry average it cannot be justified by what is supposed to be a German Luxury car brand.
Jaguar is improving by leaps and bounds. Introduction of the two new engines, 5.0 V8 & 3.0 V6 diesel into their range have made them catch up if not overtake their German rivals in the powerplant stakes. Soon the new XJ is going to be out, looking at initial reports this is going to be some car.

[4x4addict]

Originally Posted by shortbread

Strange seeing JLR at both ends of the spectrum, Jaguar on top and Land Rover at the bottom. One maybe should also take into account the abuse SUVs especially Land Rovers might face vis a vis luxury cars.

Most american SUVs, especially the likes of the Range Rover and land rover spend most of their time on the tarred roads.

Rough use and country roads are usually in poorer rural areas and they don't generally buy imports..

[aroop]

I found the following interesting article on the Economic Times. A JD Edwards study on dealer satisfaction puts Maruti Suzuki at the top spot and Skoda at the bottom (11)

Do we agree with these rankings?

India's top auto brands in dealer service satisfaction-ET Slide Shows-Features-The Economic Times


Regards,
Aroop