Initial Vehicle Quality Improves Significantly in India

Maruti Alto, Maruti Esteem, Honda City, Skoda Octavia and Toyota Innova Rank Highest in Initial Quality in their respective Segments

JD Power Asia Pacific 2005 India Initial Quality Study (IQS)

The initial quality of new vehicles in India has improved considerably, according to the JD Power Asia Pacific 2005 India Initial Quality Study^SM (IQS) released recently. Overall initial quality for the industry averages 143 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100)-an improvement of 49 PP100 from 2004.

The study, now in its ninth year, focuses on 135 problem symptoms affecting vehicle quality across nine IQS problem categories: ride, handling and braking; features and controls; seats; heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC); sound system; vehicle exterior; vehicle interior; transmission; and engine.

“The number of problems reported by customers has dropped in all categories comprising the IQS compared to 2004, with eight out of 12 nameplates showing improvements," said Mohit Arora, India director at JD Power Asia Pacific. "This is genuinely a positive sign for both manufacturers and new-vehicle buyers."

 
Maruti Alto ranks highest in the reclassified compact car segment with 93 PP100, followed by two other Maruti models, the Zen and WagonR, respectively. The compact car segment registers strong initial quality improvements from 2004, with the greatest improvement in the industry for the Maruti WagonR (improving 117 PP100).

Maruti Esteem ranks highest in the entry midsize car segment for the third consecutive year at 144 PP100. Esteem is followed in the segment ranking by the Opel Corsa/Swing and Ford Ikon, respectively.

All models in the midsize car segment have improved since 2004. Honda City ranks highest at 72 PP100, followed by the Hyundai Accent and Maruti Baleno, respectively.

With an improvement in eight of the nine 10S categories, the Skoda Octavia (111 PP100) ranks highest in the premium midsize segment for the first time in the study. The Octavia is followed in the segment rankings by the Chevrolet Optra and Toyota respectively.

A new MPV segment has been created in the study to accommodate the introduction of new vehicle designs. MPVs, together with MUVs, SUVs and vans now comprise the new utility vehicle super-segment. Toyota Innova (126 PP100) ranks highest in the utility vehicle super segment, followed by the Maruti Omni and Chevrolet Tavera, respectively.

The study also finds that on average, customers report fewer problems with newly launched models such as Maruti Swift and Hyundai Getz, compared to models already on the market.

"Manufacturers today understand the necessity of getting things right the first time in the Indian market," commented Arora. "Our research shows that problems experienced in the first few months of ownership play a vital role in overall customer satisfaction and whether customers intend to repurchase from the brand again. Therefore, manufacturers are engineering quality in the design phase itself rather than trying to fix problems later during production."

The 2005 India Initial Quality Study measures problems experienced in the first two to six months of ownership, and is based on evaluations from more than 4,500 new-vehicle owners of 35 different models representing 12 nameplates.