| The importance of the vehicle's quality cannot be | | | | Africa, J.D. Power and Associates is also conducting |
| overemphasized. Though there are changing | | | | vehicle quality research in other markets around the |
| consumer expectations, quality is still the topmost | | | | globe including China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, |
| priority. Recently, J.D. Power and Associates | | | | Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, the United |
| conducted this year's South Africa Initial Quality Study | | | | Kingdom and the United States. |
| (IQS). Said study gave Honda and Toyota combined 6 | | | | "Continued quality improvements have caused |
| initial quality model awards. | | | | consumers to focus increasingly more attention on |
| Honda car accessories and parts contribute | | | | soft quality issues, or vehicle design-related problems, |
| significantly to the durability factor of the automaker's | | | | rather than solely on a more traditional view of quality |
| vehicles. This is also true with Toyota accessories and | | | | characterized by defects and malfunctions," said Brian |
| auto parts. These two automakers are now making a | | | | Walters, senior director of J.D. Power and Associates |
| big leap in the global auto market primarily because of | | | | Europe, Middle East and Africa operations. |
| the quality they are delivering to the auto enthusiasts. | | | | IQS problem symptoms were further classified into 2 |
| This year, South Africa Initial Quality Study was entirely | | | | dimensions: defects/malfunctions and design-related |
| redesigned to more exactly examine consumer | | | | problems. Brands that have fewest defects |
| attitudes toward quality. It is now based on a | | | | malfunctions include Audi, BMW, Honda, |
| representative sample of more than 9 600 | | | | Mercedes-Benz and Subaru. Further, those that have |
| new-vehicle owners who purchased their vehicles | | | | fewest design-related problems include Audi, Daihatsu, |
| between December 2005 and April 2006. | | | | Honda, Subaru, Toyota and Volvo. |
| The study delved into the problems encountered by | | | | Walters explained," To satisfy owners and fully |
| auto customers during the first three to seven months | | | | understand consumer perceptions of quality, |
| of ownership. It examined 228 individual problem | | | | manufacturers must consider both dimensions of |
| symptoms in nine categories: vehicle exterior; the | | | | vehicle quality. For instance, BMW models, along with |
| driving experience; features/controls/displays; audio | | | | those from Honda and Mercedes-Benz, have among |
| entertainment/navigation; seats; heating, ventilation and | | | | the fewest defects/malfunctions. Yet, BMW's |
| air conditioning (HVAC); vehicle interior; engine | | | | approach to features/controls/displays often creates |
| transmission; and other problems. All problems are | | | | some problems for customers, which ultimately |
| identified as the number reported per 100 vehicles | | | | contributes to more overall design-related anomalies |
| (PP100). Lower scores signify fewer problems and | | | | when compared with Honda and Mercedes-Benz." |
| therefore of better quality. | | | | BMW parts accessories, on the other hand, are also |
| IQS was launched in the United States in 1987. Since | | | | aimed at enhancement. This is designed by the |
| its introduction, it has been recognized as an authority | | | | automaker to promote better quality and reliability. |
| in the examination of auto quality. Aside from South | | | | |