Motor Authority - blog Tag: Quality

Chrysler's vehicles, like all of America's cars, have improved greatly in recent years. But not-too-distant memory reminds us of the Le Baron and even of another ill-fated Italian tie-up and its Maserati-branded spawn. So Fiat's poor scores in the most recent JD Power survey in the United Kingdom gives cause to wonder if the Fiat-Chrysler union might ultimately be a tragic one.

Fiat's role in helping to save Chrysler post-bankruptcy was applauded by President Obama just days ago, but already the naysayers are building their case. And unfortunately, it's shaping up to be a decent one. The latest JD Power figures put Fiat at the bottom - 28th... Chrysler's vehicles, like all of America's cars, have improved greatly in recent years. But not-too-distant memory reminds us of the Le Baron and even of another ill-fated Italian tie-up and its Maserati-branded spawn. So Fiat's poor scores in the most recent JD Power survey in the United Kingdom gives cause to wonder if the Fiat-Chrysler union might ultimately be a tragic one. Fiat's role in helping to save Chrysler post-bankruptcy was applauded by President Obama just days ago, but already the naysayers are building their case. And unfortunately, it's shaping up to be a decent one. The latest JD Power figures put Fiat at the bottom - 28th of 28 - in UK satisfaction rankings. Lexus, Skoda, Honda, Toyota and Jaguar filled out the top 5 spots, while Citroen, Kia, Chevrolet, Mitsubishi and Fiat rounded out the bottom five. Which is a roundabout way of saying Fiat's car's aren't exactly renowned for their reliability in Europe, nor are those of sister brand Alfa Romeo though the brand wasn't separated in the results list. The last time either car was sold in the U.S. they had developed and suffered from a reputation for unreliability that ultimately contributed to their retreat from our shores. Now the continued poor performance of Fiat in markets where it's already established calls into question whether the Italian company will be able to turn things around at Chrysler, or whether the partnership will just degenerate into a downward spiral of poor design feeding poor execution. On the other hand, Fiat also makes brilliant cars like the 500, which slots into a segment where Chrysler is completely absent. Will the synergies make both companies better than they are on their own? Or will the Fiat-Chrysler partnership make the DaimlerChrysler era seem like a golden age? Read More

Saving money has become as important, or even more so, than making it in recent months for many carmakers. There just aren't enough buyers actively seeking new cars, so cutting costs is the only way to improve one's position. Today Ford announced it has saved $1.2 billion in warranty costs over the last two years thanks to improved quality cars.

Ford, like many of its rivals, has embarked on a savings campaign that involved selling off assets, reducing model development plans and cutting back on advertising. The announcement of the warranty savings illustrates how investments in improved cars can pay off not just in sales figures, but in... Saving money has become as important, or even more so, than making it in recent months for many carmakers. There just aren't enough buyers actively seeking new cars, so cutting costs is the only way to improve one's position. Today Ford announced it has saved $1.2 billion in warranty costs over the last two years thanks to improved quality cars. Ford, like many of its rivals, has embarked on a savings campaign that involved selling off assets, reducing model development plans and cutting back on advertising. The announcement of the warranty savings illustrates how investments in improved cars can pay off not just in sales figures, but in long-term support. Rising to the top of the automotive quality charts hasn't been an easy task, but several consumer ratings metrics have consistently placed Ford's initial quality on par with Honda and Toyota - good company in that regard. “We’ve reached the point where our initial quality is second to none among the full-line manufacturers. We expect that high quality to be reflected in future high-mileage surveys as our new models age,” said Bennie Fowler, Ford group vice president for global quality. Among the best-performing models were the Mustang GT500, which had the smallest number of 'things gone wrong', or TGW's in industry-speak, of all sports cars. Overall, Ford, Lincoln and Mercury brands reported a 50% lower warranty repair rate than in 2004. Along with the announcement Ford is reaffirming its commitment to quality, noting that the savings are their own reward, and can help Ford move forward with new product development as well. “I see the recent $1.2 billion in worldwide warranty cost savings as a compelling reason to continue down this path,” said Curt Yun, Ford's global warranty director. “Instead of setting aside those funds to fix cars, we’d much rather invest it in exciting product programs for our customers.” Among the most recent of Ford's new products are the Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrids, which recently secured certification as the most fuel-efficient mid-sized cars in America.2010 Mercury Milan and Milan Hybrid2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid2010 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Read More