ALG Report Says Ford Makes Biggest Gains in Perceived Quality
ALG's Spring 2012 Perceived Quality Study shows Ford, Hyundai enjoying the biggest leaps.
Automotive data analysis firm ALG has just published their latest perceived quality study, and once again the Japanese and Koreans have quite a bit to write home about -- though Ford has now jumped feet-first into the mix, as well.According to ALG's Spring 2012 Perceived Quality Study, based on survey results from 3,000-4,000 U.S. consumers, the Blue Oval's score within the category has jumped almost 37 percent since 2008 (no doubt due to their heavy schedule of tech-laden new product roll-outs), making it the biggest mover in the mainstream category. That increase is good enough to push Ford up to fourth on the list among mainstream automakers, with an overall score of 70.5, just behind third-place Subaru (71.1). Honda and Toyota occupy the top two spots with scores of 81.3 and 80.1, respectively.
Also making waves was Hyundai, which saw its perceived quality score jump 25 percent since 2008, to 62.3 -- good for number 8 on the list. The average score for mainstream automaker perceived quality was 59.1, with Suzuki (48.1), Fiat (44.5) and smart (39.6) bringing up the rear.
In the luxury segment Lexus, Mercedes-Benz and BMW took the top three spots with scores of 85.4, 82.9 and 81.5, respectively. Jaguar (58.8) was the lowest-ranked luxury automaker sold in the U.S. (Alfa Romeo actually scored lower with a mark of 56.2), with Land Rover (60.4) and Lincoln (67.0) eking out slightly higher scores.
You can read ALG's full report here.
[News source: Autoblog.]
So why have Japanese car owners perceived their vehicles quality to be the best?
Well, according to you, most car buyers do not do their homework. Therefore, according to your own admission, most car buyers buy what they THINK is the best choice for them. They hear that Japanese cars are bullet proof and they think that the car they are buying will also be bullet proof.
The big question is “Why is that???????”
Well, the Japanese EARNED their reputation for building quality cars over a long period of time. There is no question about that. The big problem is they no longer DESERVE that reputation due to the models they have been building over the past few years. Anyone who takes a simple test drive will find within seconds that Japanese quality has taken a major nose dive. Cheap interior materials, sup-par build quality, and zero innovation come standard in nearly every model. This is not my opinion. This is a fact that is supported by nearly every major automobile reviewer. I challenge you to look for yourself.
I know this troubles you and I hate to be the bearer of bad news. But is time to face the facts. You will have to do it eventually.
"Perceived quality" is just basically saying that it looks nice. This just seems like a stupid metric to me.
That being said, I've driven 3 different brand new (MY 2012) Fords and can attest to the actual quality in them. The smoothness of the ride, the exterior styling, and the interior are three big things. Currently I have a 2012 Fusion and I don't think I'd trade it for the world. In MY opinion, it looks far better than an Accord or Camry, and the 2013 set to release shortly advances the gap even further.
Wow. Once again, crisp and clear. You hit the nail on the head.
My question expounds on the above quote: why is it that only North American market gets products which are considered unacceptable or obsolete in other markets, and how much longer is this going to continue?
What you are describing is aesthetics and comfort, the article is talking about quality which means "excellence or distinction" or how well built it is, not how cushy it rides or feels.
I will agree that American made cars are more "cushy" but they are not better quality than the Japanese, as the article states.
Still, as stated, every professional knows that the Japanese in fact ARE still building higher quality vehicles. So....perceive or not to perceive, it matters not.
You know they don't, I know they don't, every car rating organization in the world knows they don't, every honest and knowledgeable mechanic knows they don't, but the "experts" that continue to buy Detroit's inferior products can't seem to accept the truth and this kind of stuff irritates them to no end.
I say we cut them some slack, stop printing these truths, and let them have some happiness and false sense of owning the best made vehicles. What can it hurt? After all, if YOU love your vehicle, who cares what kind of ratings it gets compared to the competition?
EXPLORE NEW CARS
MORE ON MSN AUTOS
10 coolest cars of Fast & FuriousOur favorite Fast & Furious cars, from the ultra-obscure to the iconic.
ABOUT EXHAUST NOTES
Cars are cool, and here at MSN Autos we love everything about them, but we also know they're more than simply speed and style: a car is an essential tool, a much-needed accessory to help you get through your day-to-day life. What you drive is also one of the most important investments you can make, so we'll help you navigate your way through the car buying and ownership experiences. We strive to be your daily destination for news, notes, tips and tricks from across the automotive world. So whether it's through original content from our world-class journalists or the latest buzz from the far corners of the Web, Exhaust Notes helps you make sense of your automotive world.
Have a story idea? Tip us off at exhaustnotes@live.com.
