America's Most Dependable Cars Aren't American
Today is a turmoil day in the auto industry. Where brands and cars came in on top of the J.D. Power 2012 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, champagne bottles were uncorked and press releases were issued. Where brands landed in the bottom rungs, panic meetings were called, fingers were pointed and resumes were polished.
Overall, it is a good day for the industry.
Never since 1990 have cars been as dependable. On the average, a car has 1.3 problems in the first three years of ownership. Last year, the number stood at 1.5 problems. 25 of 32 brands have improved in dependability from 2011, only six have declined and one has remained stable. Domestic nameplates have improved in 2012 at a slightly faster rate than imports, narrowing the dependability gap to 13 problems per 100 from 18 problems per 100 in 2011. Still, America’s most dependable cars aren’t American.
Most Dependable Cars per Segment
Sub-Compact CarToyota YarisScion xDHonda FitCompact CarToyota PriusToyota CorollaHyundai ElantraCompact Sporty CarScion tCMidsize CarFord FusionMitsubishi GalantToyota CamryLarge CarBuick LucerneToyota AvalonFord TaurusEntry Premium CarLexus ES 350 (tie)Lincoln MKZ (tie)Acura TLMidsize Premium CarHyundai GenesisMercedes-Benz E-ClassVolvo S80Compact MPVScion xBCompact Crossover/SUVChevrolet EquinoxHonda CR-VToyota RAV4Midsize Crossover/SUVFord Explorer (tie)Nissan Murano (tie)Toyota HighlanderMidsize Premium Crossover/SUVLexus RX 350Lincoln MKXMidsize PickupNissan FrontierFord RangerHonda RidgelineMinivanToyota SiennaHonda OdysseyLarge PickupToyota TundraGMC Sierra HDChevrolet Silverado LDToyota Motor Corporation received eight segment awards, more than any other automaker in 2012. Ford received three model awards, General Motors and Nissan receive two.
Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.
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Good showing Toyota. Keep up the hard work.
The thing to remember is there isn't a lot of spread between the bottom and the top of these ratings. Just under 1 visit per car to just under 2 visits per car. Not really that significant.