U.S. carmakers show gains in quality (Ford and Buick are edging out luxury brands such as Lexus M-B)

[Omaha Steve]

Source: LA Times

Ford and Buick are edging out luxury brands such as Lexus and Mercedes-Benz in the latest rankings.

By Jerry Hirsch

Two new reports are pointing to a rapidly changing auto world where American and South Korean brands are equaling the quality of the top manufacturers and making large gains in market share.

The data show that Ford Motor Co. is beginning to solidify its position as the top auto seller nationally and it, along with the Buick division of General Motors Co., are edging out luxury brands such as Lexus and Mercedes-Benz in the latest quality rankings.

Ford's Lincoln brand trailed only Porsche in the J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Vehicle Dependability Study to be released Thursday. Lincoln owners reported problems at a rate of 114 per 100 vehicles during the first three years of ownership, slightly higher than the 110 rate reported by Porsche owners. Buick and Toyota Motor Corp.'s Lexus brand tied for third at 115.

All three Ford brands -- Lincoln, Ford and Mercury -- outperformed the industry. While GM's Buick and Cadillac lines also scored better than average, its Chevrolet division had 176 problems per 100 vehicles, worse than average. Chrysler Group's Jeep brand, Volkswagen, Suzuki and Land Rover scored the poorest, logging problems at double the rates of the top makes.

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-autos18-2010mar18,0,3941220.story

[pattmarty]

1. I believe that Toyota irreparably damaged their reputation with..............

.............this latest colossal fuckup.

[SocialistLez]

2. Depsite Ford

moving a lot of production to Mexico, more than likely my next car will be a Ford. If not a Ford then a Honda.
My mom's 2009 Accord was built in Ohio so I feel pretty happy about that.
My Saturn was built in TN.

[IthinkThereforeIAM]

4. Does Ford even build any engines in the US anymore...

... other than "special purpose" engines, ie... the Ford Lima heavy truck engines, a few SVO/Cleveland type performance engines. I recall Ford shutting down it's last mainline car engine factory years ago and moving it to Mexico; just about everyone knows the rest are made in Canada aka "Windsor".

[bossy22]

6. yes many still are

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Ford_factories

[Romulox]

22. I love the false allegation in the form of a question. nt

[notadmblnd]

3. I love the Lucerne and the LaCross by Buick

if ever I can afford a new car again, I'll seriously consider one of those.

[blue_onyx]

7. I love the LaCrosse

and the new Regal which will be out later this year. I believe the Lucerne will be phased out soon. Unfortunately, I think these vehicles will be out of my price range.

[notadmblnd]

8. the lacross is in the 20-25k range. I imagine the Lucerne is in the 30k range.

[blue_onyx]

9. According to the website...

the LaCrosse starts at $27,085. When I purchase a car, my budget will probably be closer to the $15-16,000 range. I'll probably look at the Chevy Cobalt or Cruze.

[notadmblnd]

11. wow, they've gone up since I priced them a year ago.

[SocialistLez]

14. Cruze

The Cobalt will be replaced by the Cruze, according to Consumer Reports.
The Cruze reminds me of a mini Malibu and sort of how Corollas seem like mini-Camrys.

I am liking the Cruze. I'm not crazy about Cobalts myself.
Have you looked into the Ford Focus or the Ford Fiesta?

[blue_onyx]

15. The new Focus and Fiesta..

are great looking vehicles. I may include them on my list of possibilities.

[Romulox]

23. The new Focus looks like a major upgrade--Nice!

I had a Focus lease a few years back, and I really enjoyed that car.

[Omaha Steve]

16. My 09 Cobalt is averaging over 28 mpg combined with auto trans on 10% ethanol

We bought it under the clunker program. I drive like a turtle in it. Your mileage might vary. Mine went down with cold weather stats. It is parked outside. Even though the power steering (higher mileage cars) caused a recall, I highly recommend it.

[No Elephants]

5. Great news. Can we get them to promise to keep the jobs here?

[FarCenter]

10. "2010 Vehicle Dependability Study", Top Three Models per Segment

J.D. Power and Associates, "2010 Vehicle Dependability Study", Top Three Models per Segment

Sub-Compact Car: Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris
Compact Car: Toyota Prius, Toyota Corolla, Pontiac Vibe
Midsize Car: Buick Lacrosse, Mercury Milan, Honda Accord
Large Car: Mercury Montego, Buick Lucerne(tie), Ford Five Hundred(tie)

Compact Sporty Car: Mazda MX-5 Miata, Saturn Sky, Pontiac Solstice Convertible
Midsize Sporty Car: Chevrolet Monte Carlo, Toyota Solara, Ford Mustang

Compact Premium Sporty Car: BMW Z4
Premium Sporty Car: Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, Porsche 911

Entry Premium Vehicle: Lincoln MKZ, Acura TSX, Cadillac CTS
Midsize Premium Car: Audi A6, Lexus ES 350, Cadilac STS(tie), Infiniti M-Series(tie)
Large Premium Car: Cadillac DTS, Lexus LS 460

Compact MAV: Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester, Hyundai Tucson
Midsize MAV: Toyota Highlander, Toyota 4Runner, Ford Freestyle
Large MAV: Toyota Sequoia, GMC Yukon, Ford Expedition

Midsize Premium MAV: Lexus GX 470, Lexus RX, Infiniti FX-Series
Large Premium MAV: Lincoln Mark LT, Cadillac Escalade EXT, Lincoln Navigator

Midsize Van: Fod Freestar, Toyota Sienna, Buick Terraza(tie), Chrysler Town & Country(tie)

Midsize Pickup: Honda Ridgeline, Dodge Dakota, Ford Ranger
Large Pickup: Toyota Tundra, Ford F-150 LD, Chevrolet Siverado Classic HD

[DainBramaged]

12. This-can't-be-true-America -makes-shit-shit-I-tell-you!!!

:patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot:

[ConcernedCanuk]

13. If you believe this . .

.
.
.

I got a bridge to sell you . .

oh

never-mind

[old mark]

17. Note that VW and Honda are near the bottom of that list -

their past reputation for quality is all that caries them - they are terrible cars, their customer service is arrogant and useless.


mark

[lutefisk]

18. Honda did very well, VW not so well

"Toyota continues to perform well in long-term dependability and garners four segment awards—more than any other nameplate in 2010 for this study—for the Highlander, Prius, Sequoia, and Tundra. Honda receives three segment awards for the CR-V, Fit, and Ridgeline. Lincoln captures two awards for the Mark LT and MKZ. In addition, Audi, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, Lexus, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, and Mercury each receive a model segment award."

[Romulox]

20. VW has had quality problems for decades. Most of their NA cars are made in Mexico, not Germany

which may or may not have something to do with it.

[old mark]

24. Our previous car- a Passat was a piece of shit. It was my 5th VW and my last.

We had to have it towed into the car dealer when we traded it, got little more than scrap value for it.

mark

[tammywammy]

25. The Jetta and New Beetle are from Mexico

The rest of the line still comes from Germany/Europe. Not sure where the Routon is from.

[skipos]

19. I'll say it again: I really like my Ford Fusion Hybrid. Much better than the Prius

FOR ME overall.

[Romulox]

21. Kinda jealous. The Fusion Hybrid is a hot ride. nt

[grumpy in StL]

26. I had a Fusion as a rental...

and it seemed like a very good car.
I normally do not buy new, and the last car I bought was a used Accord (also a very solid/reliable car.)
But if I had to buy a new car today, it would likely be that Ford.