Lexus dominated the segment rankings in the recent JD Power Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) in the United States. Lexus models came top in four segments, including the GS300/GS430 (midsize premium car), LS430 (large premium car), SC430 (premium sporty car) and GX470 (midsize premium SUV).
Lexus was also the most dependable nameplate in the survey, with only 136 problems per 100 vehicles, compared to 151 for runner-up Mercury. This achievement marked the 12th successive year that Lexus has been the leading brand in this survey by JD Power and Associates.
The survey measures problems experienced by original owners of three-year-old vehicles (2003 model year). This year’s study was based on 47 620 responses from vehicle owners.
Earlier this year the IS250/IS350 and GX470 (tied with the Porsche Cayenne) came out top in their segments in JD Power’s Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study.
The APEAL study measures how gratifying a new vehicle is to own and drive during the first 90 days of ownership. The 2005 results were based on responses from 63 000 purchasers and lessees of new, 2006 model year cars and light commercials.
JD Power and Associates’ third vehicle study in the United States this year – the Initial Quality Study (IQS) – had seen Lexus and Toyota together capture 11 of the 19 segment awards.
This study, now in its 20th year, saw Lexus models rank highest in every segment in which they compete. In addition, the Lexus LS430 tied with the Porsche Cayman as having the fewest quality problems in the industry. Other top-ranking Lexus models were the IS250/IS350, ES330, SC430, GX470 and LX 470. The Lexus nameplate came second in the overall rankings to Porsche.
Toyota also received four assembly plant quality awards for those factories producing vehicles with the least defects, including the Platinum Plant Quality Award for the Iswate plant in Japan, which assembles the Lexus ES330. The Higashi-Fuji plant in Japan that produces the Lexus SC430 got a silver award, with a bronze award going to the Kyushu plant in Japan where the IS250/IS350 and RX330/400h are manufactured.
JD Power and Associates’ 2006 Initial Quality Study was based on responses from 63 607 purchasers and lessees of 2006 model year cars and light commercials surveyed after 90 days of vehicle ownership.
