Lexus was named the most dependable brand in the United States according to the latest J.D. Power and Associates’ annual Vehicle Dependability Study published earlier this month. Lexus was followed by Porsche, Cadillac, Toyota, and Scion.
Across the automotive industry, owners reported an average of 132 problems per 100 vehicles they had owned for three years, 13 percent fewer than the year before. The number had dropped steadily since the 2007 study, when the industry average was 216 problems per 100.
Why does it matter?
The Vehicle Dependability Study is used extensively by vehicle manufacturers worldwide to help design and build better vehicles—which typically translates to higher resale values and higher customer loyalty. It also helps consumers make more-informed choices for both new and used vehicle purchases.
How was the ranking measured?
JD Power & Associates surveyed more than 31,000 U.S. owners of 2009 model-year vehicles. Those are vehicles sold in the quarter immediately following the September 2008 failure of investment bank Lehman Brothers which was the trigger point of the collapse that saw Chrysler and General Motors file for bankruptcy as industry sales plunge to 27-year lows.
Of 32 brands measured in the latest study, 25 improved vehicle dependability from the year before, one stayed even and six lost ground.
Lexus rose to No. 1 from the fourth spot last year. The brand ranked as the industry’s most dependable marquee for 14 years until 2009, when Buick and Jaguar tied for No. 1. Porsche and Lincoln have taken top honors since then.
The top 10 in the latest study was rounded out by Mercedes-Benz, three other Detroit 3 brands — Lincoln, Ford and Buick — and Korean automaker Hyundai. Acura and Honda were the only others to finish above the industry average of 132.
Through the Eyes of a Marketer 