Ford ties for #1 in latest initial quality survey

[AdmiralViscen]

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/080407/clm057.html?.v=101

Ford catches Honda in initial quality, putting it in statistical tie at the top with Toyota and Honda.
- Ford's vehicle quality improved 8 percent versus last year.
- Every new car and truck, including the 2008 Ford Focus, launched with improved quality versus its predecessor.


DEARBORN, Mich., April 7, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- When it comes to initial vehicle quality, no automaker performs better than Ford

The quality of Ford, Lincoln and Mercury brand vehicles soared to the top of the charts equaling that of Toyota and Honda, according to the first quarter 2008 U.S. Global Quality Research System (GQRS) study conducted by RDA Group of Bloomfield Hills, Mich.

The study shows Ford's domestic brands improved 8 percent versus last year with a combined average of 1,284 things-gone-wrong (TGW) per 1,000 vehicles during the first three months of ownership. This performance is statistically equivalent to the 1,250 TGW level of Honda and Toyota.

"Last year we tied with Toyota, and this year our quality performance is as good as industry-leading Honda's too," said Mark Fields, Ford's president of The Americas. "Our world-class quality is one of the most important aspects of our turnaround in North America. This consistently strong quality improvement should offer today's customer renewed confidence, setting the stage for important new products like Ford Flex, which is launching this summer."

Ford's dramatically improved vehicle quality will be highlighted in a sweeping new marketing campaign called "Drive One" that officially debuts Tuesday. The campaign tells the story behind Ford's rise to the top of the industry in initial vehicle quality as well as underscoring safety, smart technology and improved fuel efficiency.

The company earned best-in-class honors in two important engineering functions: interiors, which includes such areas as trim, seats and instrument panel appearance; and electrical, which includes entertainment systems. Ford tied for best-in-class in two other functions, paint and vehicle engineering, which includes such areas as ride and handling and cabin quietness.

Additionally, Ford's domestic brands pushed customer satisfaction up one point to 77 percent.

"There is an unprecedented level of teamwork at Ford. Everyone from the top floor to the plant floor is working together to deliver the highest quality vehicles for our customers," said Bennie Fowler, Ford's group vice president of Global Quality. "We are extremely proud to be among the industry's quality leaders. But that's not why we're in the game. We want sole possession of first place, and we will keep working to earn it."

A total for 15 Ford, Lincoln, Mercury vehicles are ranked in the top three of their respective segments for either TGW performance, customer satisfaction or both.


The following models are segment leaders:
-- Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 - TGW for sports car
-- Ford Taurus - customer satisfaction for large car
-- Ford Sport Trac - customer satisfaction for medium traditional utility
-- Mercury Milan - TGW for midsize car
-- Lincoln Navigator - TGW and customer satisfaction for large premium
utility


The new 2008 Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable both recorded quality levels that equate to less than one problem per vehicle, as did the Volvo S80 (947). The Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ were close, with 1,030 TGW and 1,065 TGW, respectively.

The Taurus also led a string of impressive new vehicles launched in 2007. Taurus showed a 33 percent quality improvement compared with the product it replaced. The new Ford Escape improved 16 percent over the out-going model, and the new Ford Focus improved 13 percent.

In fact, 36 of 40 Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda nameplates improved this year versus 2007.

As the shitty models of the 90s get discontinued and replaced with ground-up redesigns, domestics climb in overall brand quality surveys.

[Robo]

 
 
 

[Van Cruncheon]

Found On Road Deep-dicking chevy ass

[T234]

Fixed Or Repaired Daily

[Eric P]

i'd dropped about 2k into my focus over the past year

not happy.

will not buy again

[AdmiralViscen]

i'd dropped about 2k into my focus over the past year

not happy.

will not buy again

 :'(

What year is it?

[Mupepe]

Found On Road Deep-dicking chevy ass

My F 150 has been a champ

[Eric P]

i'd dropped about 2k into my focus over the past year

not happy.

will not buy again

 :'(

What year is it?

hilariously enough it's a 2000

[Van Cruncheon]

Found On Road Deep-dicking chevy ass

My F 150 has been a champ

so's my ranger, despite a crewcab door handle issue

[AdmiralViscen]

i'd dropped about 2k into my focus over the past year

not happy.

will not buy again

 :'(

What year is it?

hilariously enough it's a 2000

That was its first year. The Focus in particular had a horrible first year or two, but quality improved as the years wore on and its seen a refresh and now a redesign, each with increases in quality.

All first year car buys are risky, but the Focus launch was a disaster.

[Van Cruncheon]

Fixed Or Repaired Daily

get out, gm scum

[AdmiralViscen]

I've got a sample of all three domestics right now

[Eric P]

i'd dropped about 2k into my focus over the past year

not happy.

will not buy again

 :'(

What year is it?

hilariously enough it's a 2000

That was its first year. The Focus in particular had a horrible first year or two, but quality improved as the years wore on and its seen a refresh and now a redesign, each with increases in quality.

All first year car buys are risky, but the Focus launch was a disaster.

yeah, i will admit i like the newer designs

[Mupepe]

Fixed Or Repaired Daily

Can Hear Every Valve Rattle, Oil Leaks Every Time

[Bloodwake]

Fixed Or Repaired Daily

Can Hear Every Valve Rattle, Oil Leaks Every Time

TRUTH.

[Flannel Boy]

I started working at a Ford plant last year. Coincidence?

spoiler (click to show/hide)

YES

[close]

Eric P, I'm looking to buy a used car, and most guides don't recommend early model Ford Focuses.

[Eric P]

we didn't know that way back in the day!

i was young and stupid and ill informed!

[Flannel Boy]

I can buy a new Ford at cost plus 4%. Unfortunately, I don't have enough money to buy a new car and they don't offer the European Focus in North America.

Ford Sucks.

My grandmother and father both work for ford.

Just because they squeegee the windshields of Ford cars for quarters, doesn't mean they work for Ford!

[Eric P]

they don't offer the European Focus in North America.

they look so awesome though

[hyp]

*looks at my mustang's dashboard*

CHECK ENGINE

[AdmiralViscen]

The next gen Focus will be sold here, 2010 iirc

[T234]

Damn, I didn't realize this forum was full of ford fans.

spoiler (click to show/hide)

Aston Martin is by far the greatest thing either carmaker has ever owned.

[close]

[max_cool]

I would like some more detail. The fords in europe, for whatever reason, are better than the fords in the US. If this was based on the euro fords that could be very deceiving to the US.

Also, fuck ford in it's ass. 

[AdmiralViscen]

It's US, duh

[ferrarimanf355]

I'd still rather have a Camaro, tho...

[y2kev]

I have a 1998 chevy malibu ls. I only use it when I'm home for the summer, but it's very reliable and nice...I don't really know what's so bad about American cars.

that said when i need to buy a real car i'll probably go toyota 

[AdmiralViscen]

I have a 1998 chevy malibu ls. I only use it when I'm home for the summer, but it's very reliable and nice...I don't really know what's so bad about American cars.

that said when i need to buy a real car i'll probably go toyota 

Stop it taco

At least go Honda

[AdmiralViscen]

Actually, that attitude really bothers me - Having a fine experience with a car and then throwing the brand away cuz of 'perception' even when that make is putting out its best vehicles in 30 years.

The new Malibu is fantastic.

[Mupepe]

Actually, that attitude really bothers me - Having a fine experience with a car and then throwing the brand away cuz of 'perception' even when that make is putting out its best vehicles in 30 years.

The new Malibu is fantastic.

A lot of people have that attitude. 

[AdmiralViscen]

Yea, it's fuckin dumb.

I've owned mad domestics and I've taken a car in for repairs like 3x.

[etiolate]

Initial quality wasn't the issue I thought. Domestics have been based on being replaced in a few years and that was the whole problem. Like Sony products, they look shiny and top notch at first but break far too easily.

[etiolate]

Also, somewhat related, the new Pontiac Top Hunter commercial is ACE.

[AdmiralViscen]

5-10 years ago domestics were crashing out in initial quality as well as long term. Both have been on the rise since that period.

Well, except for Chrysler, Benz turned them into a shattered husk.

[drozmight]

I drive an Oldsmobile.



Suck it down!

[ferrarimanf355]

In Germany, FIAT = Fehler in allen Teilen (mistakes in every part).
There's probably something similar for Ford too, but I can't remember.

Found On Road... Dead!
Found On distinguished mentally-challenged fellow's Driveway
Fix Or Repair Daily

[y2kev]

Actually, that attitude really bothers me - Having a fine experience with a car and then throwing the brand away cuz of 'perception' even when that make is putting out its best vehicles in 30 years.

The new Malibu is fantastic.

I don't have a lot of experience with it. I only really use it two months out of the year. Which is why I'm kind of uneasy with not getting a Japanese car.

American car companies have a lot of work to do to reverse the 90s image...I really want a hybrid anyway and the American hybrids are lagging I thought?

[Rman]

I have no car  :'(

spoiler (click to show/hide)

Don't really need in NYC, though.  More trouble than they are worth here.

[close]

[AdmiralViscen]

I drive an Oldsmobile.



Suck it down!

Olds rules

Actually, that attitude really bothers me - Having a fine experience with a car and then throwing the brand away cuz of 'perception' even when that make is putting out its best vehicles in 30 years.

The new Malibu is fantastic.

I don't have a lot of experience with it. I only really use it two months out of the year. Which is why I'm kind of uneasy with not getting a Japanese car.

American car companies have a lot of work to do to reverse the 90s image...I really want a hybrid anyway and the American hybrids are lagging I thought?

GM currently leads in alternative fuels. They have a belt-driven hybrid system that is far cheaper than competing systems (almost free with the tax credit you get for buying a hybrid), but offers a lesser fuel economy gain. Most hybrids are a scam because you spend an extra $2500-3000 for them, which would take years to make back in gas savings. Adding $1500 (-$800 gov't rebate) to the price is far easier to cope with, even though the fuel economyo gains are only like 3mpg. You can get this simple hybrid system in the Malibu, Aura, and VUE. Then they have the 2 mode hybrid system that gives the gigantic Tahoe and Yukon 20 mpg in the city, a system even Toyota admits is far beyond their capability and which will be filtering down the rest of the lineup towards the end of this year, starting with the VUE plug in hybrid. They also have the full-electric plug in Volt launching in 2010, and ethanol and fuel cell development.

Ford's hybrid system in Escape and Mariner is a match for Toyota's and will be added to Fusion and Milan, along with Ecoboost turbo 4 cylinders, for the 2009 model year. But they again carry the $2500 price premium that makes it sort of a waste. They're also developing plug-in tech for the Edge and working with fuel cells (Honda is doing this too btw), but these programs are in their infancy compared to GM's.

Getting a smaller car or something like EcoBoost makes a lot more sense than a typical hybrid that adds tons of price and weight and often doesn't get the economy it claims to. Hybrids are mostly a gimmick.