J.D. Power revamp should swing quality ratings
The Detroit News is reporting that J.D. .Power is tinkering with its Initial Quality Survey for the first time since 1998 and only the second time since it was introduced in 1987, and the results could mean an increase in reports of problems by up to 40 percent. The changes affect the number of questions asked (217 vs. 135) and the way in which they're asked to the almost 60,000 new car and truck owners. Owners are also given the chance to reply in essay form for the first time.
Though some manufacturers might cry foul if they drop in the rankings as a result of the new survey, most appreciate the additional material they'll be able to glean from J.D. Power's results.
[Source: The Detroit News]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Carmine 11:14PM (5/12/2006)
mmm essay questions... will the survey come with blue books?
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David 11:32PM (5/12/2006)
J.D. Power information is useless. They send you the survey about a week after you have purchased the car and before you have time to develop an opinion of the car or how well the service is after the purchase at the dealership. We always get the J.D. Power Survey much to fast. I think J.D. Power is more interested in giving car companies good ratings than they are in provide accurate information. It's all about money for them. I put no value in their reports nor do I believe many people will take the time to answer 200 questions.
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Michael Karesh 1:17AM (5/13/2006)
The survey should arrive 90 days after you buy the car. If you get it sooner, it's either not the IQS--some manufacturers pay JD Power to conduct sales satisfaction surveys--or a mistake.
Asking over 200 questions is a huge mistake. Even people who answer them all won't answer so many questions well.
In general, both JD Power and CR keep revising their data collection and/or reporting methods to boost reported problem rates, perhaps because the higher the problem rates the more people care about quality and the more they care about quality...
My critique of JD Power: http://www.truedelta.com/pieces/jdpower.php
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Paul 9:53AM (5/13/2006)
I think this is great... This will give american cars a chance to show they really are better than japanese.
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Richard Warren 10:24AM (5/13/2006)
Sales must be off at good ole JDP's
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MadeinDetroit 12:06PM (5/13/2006)
And next maybe Paul will show us his IQ test scores and prove to us all why hes currently head of Toyota.
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Dr. Woo 2:13PM (5/13/2006)
I hope they send me a survey. I picked up my GTI in March and am looking forward to telling them exactly how great owning a VW can be.
And I'm 100% serious. Not a single issue.
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Tom Design 3:37PM (5/13/2006)
This is awesome, the more thorough quantitative data the better. And, some qualitative questions wouldn't hurt anyone, it's good to vent. Isn't that what Autobloggers posts most? Their 1980 experiences with domestic cars, and stories about welfare mothers who have 12 children for the quick cash, or Union members who make $78/hour sweeping floors?
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Jamin Aleman 6:56PM (5/13/2006)
I think it only makes sense that they revamp their quality measures. I don't think much respect is given to independent testers. Quality is what really matters and J.D. Powers has made it their goal to bring quality to the market place. Best in online defensive driving quality has to be http://www.defensive-drivingonline.com
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David 12:29AM (5/14/2006)
Since 1999 I have purchased three new cars. I received a J.D. Power Survey after each purchase and they all came before I had owned the car 90 days. They should not come anytime before the sixth month of ownership. J.D. Power is in the business of sales. Their awards mean nothing. Comsumer Reports on the other hand has my respect.
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charles 12:16PM (6/08/2006)
One thing some previous posts fail to recognize is that the JD Powers IQS is just what it says an INITIAL Quality Survey...not a long term test. Many cars have problems when you drive them off the lot, not to mention what may pop up in just the first one-two months....which is obvious by most manufacturers having over 100 defects per 100 cars. This early survey more closely shows the manufacturers problems - where if you wait 6 months to a year, who knows how much a consumer's lack of maintenance, abusive driving etc can cause problems that are not a result of poor manufacturers quality.
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