Ford / VW top perception of quality survey :)

[Yellow_Festiva]

http://news.drive.com.au/drive/motor...718-1hkur.html

VW, Ford surprise winners in alternative quality study
Steve Colquhoun
July 18, 2011

VW, Ford

They have struggled in quality surveys by J D Power but VW and Ford have risen to the top in a study by a US consultancy group.

Volkswagen and Ford are the surprise winners of a US-based survey measuring buyers’ perception of quality.

The results of the Total Quality Index survey by US consultancy Strategic Vision contradict the influential J D Power Initial Quality Study results released last month that placed the two automotive giants 29th and 23rd respectively on the basis of faults detected in new cars.

The Strategic Vision study also takes faults into account, but weighs them against their severity while polling the car’s owner on their impressions of styling, packaging and ‘‘emotional benefits delivered by the driving and ownership experience’’.
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Volkswagen topped the survey largely on the basis of feedback on design and styling, ‘‘along with many other cues of quality that were very impactful upon owners’’.

Ford pipped Honda, a consistently high scorer in J.D. Power’s quality and dependability surveys, and Nissan for second placing, despite reporting a higher-than-industry-average of reported problems.

Chairman and founder of Strategic Vision, Dr Darrel Edwards, said Ford’s problematic Sync multimedia system — which is yet to be launched in Australia — was largely responsible for Ford’s lowly ranking in the J.D. Power results but added his company’s review had found an upside for the Detroit-based car maker.

‘‘The number of complaints is considered, but there is absolutely justification — even requirement — for also considering the total positive experience created for the driver,’’ he says.

The survey also says that while Toyota leads the industry with a low ‘‘problem impact’’ score, it needed to improve its ‘‘total quality’’ experience for customers. Jaguar and Land Rover were also singled out for praise for improvement, with the Jaguar XJ collecting the poll’s highest score for an individual vehicle.

Strategic Vision lists 30 automotive companies among its present or past clients, including Volkswagen and Ford.

Don't know if it's been posted already, but very good reading none the less