Who Builds The Best Cars These Days?

[george]

Who builds the best cars these days?

[JimmyTheMook]

Honda , they dabble a bit.

[hansgruber]

Talking high end or budget cars?

Its rather broad.

[kartman]

Hyundai has to well up there.

[mogandave]

This question can't be answered without a decent definition of best.

[angiud]

Germany Italy France Japan

In this order

[mjj]

France??!!! You are joking right? The only way France makes the best cars are if falling apart are a factor.

[angiud]

Ok I just remember the old Citroen (DS21 or CX) the magnificent Peugeot 504, the cool 205, 2CV unforgettable, the strong Renault R4.

But, hey, I'm talking about 30/40 years ago cars.

So, you could cut France from my list

[Travelmate]

BMW

[kartman]

Ok I just remember the old Citroen (DS21 or CX) the magnificent Peugeot 504, the cool 205, 2CV unforgettable, the strong Renault R4.

But, hey, I'm talking about 30/40 years ago cars.

So, you could cut France from my list

The R4 i had came with the optional road condition monitor you lifted up the mats and looked to see if the road was wet or dry.

[mr3cho]

BMW

+1

[yankee99]

Germany Italy France Japan

In this order

Italy maybe some decent looking but as far as reliability its a joke.

[mogandave]

Thought this was interesting:

New Study: Volkswagen Has Best Total Quality, Toyota Fewest Problems

Acknowledging that “manufacturers are running the tightest ‘quality race’ ever,” Strategic Vision announced the results of its Total Quality Index study in a press release in late August, with good news for Volkswagan, Toyota, Ford and Chrysler:

“With the industry best of only 17% of owners reporting problems, Toyota Motor Sales corporation had the lowest reported problems, resulting in Strategic Vision's lowest “Problem Impact Measure” (PIM) score of 4.29, a Strategic Vision metric that examines the report of the problem, the nature (serious, moderate or minor) of the problem, and the nature of the problem unresolved by dealer.

“Although this is good for Toyota, PIM is only a subset of ‘Total Quality.’ With near universal acceptance that manufacturers are running the tightest “quality race” ever, customers are increasingly defining ‘quality’ holistically and using Total Quality in their decisions. Total Quality measures how closely the experience of quality matches the explicit desires of the customer. In terms of Total Quality, Volkswagen Group of America is the leading corporation, followed by a tie between Ford Motor Company and Chrysler Group.

“‘This is really great news for all those corporations, but the key to success and sales will be products that satisfy the customer's increasingly insatiable need for innovation, and the complete picture of Quality,’ says Strategic Vision President, Alexander Edwards. ‘We point out Total Quality vs. Fewest Problems for a reason. When measuring quality, the complete experience must be part of the calculation and include all the perceptions that influence how people make their decision.’

“Volkswagen Group of America's Total Quality strength centers on segment leaders like Golf, Eos, Tiguan, as well Audi segment leaders A4 and A8. Ford Motor Company was able to finish second (tied with Chrysler Group) with many strong segment rankings, and leadership from Flex, F-150 and F-250/350. Perhaps the biggest surprise is the most improved corporation—Chrysler Group.

“The real message is that innovation is connected to perceptions of quality. If innovation is strong, especially such that customers can say they ‘love it,’ when referring to the product, then perceptions of quality will be greatly (positively) influenced. Strategic Vision research has proven that those who recognize and acknowledge innovation (most new car buyers) will purchase, and not just be driven by counting problems. With all manufacturers being in such close traditional quality proximity (counting problems only), there is little question that those car manufacturers who offer rich and impactful, intuitive, motivationally designed cars will have the advantage going into the future.”

The full release, including the winners of each model category, is here.

[Jitar]

Interesting article. Note "Total Quality Index was calculated from 45,390 buyers who purchased 2012 models during September to December 2011. The following list contains the number one ranked vehicles in Total Quality in their segments as rated by new vehicle buyers:" I.E. the vehicles sampled are less than a year old.

TQI sounds like a measure of buyer satisfaction / lack of rattles and poor fitting trim etc. Surveys for longer term reliability and component life are not so easy to find.

[transam]

BMW

Wait till it goes wrong.

[chotthee]

Yugo.

[transam]

Think who builds the best and who builds the most reliable ride is more the question. We all look for something different in a ride, bit like voting for a political party where you do not agree 100% with their polices BUT the policy you want the most is there, so you vote.

Never owned a Toyota in UK but a Toyota is the only ride l would buy in LOS.

[Jitar]

I reckon the poll is a trick question. The answer is all of the above.

Europeans build the best designed high performance super cars like Ferrari, Lambo etc.

Asians build the best reliability / operating cost cars like TA's beloved Vigo

Americans build the best value cars like the Mustang / Corvette / Viper.

[WarpSpeed]

Thought this was interesting:

New Study: Volkswagen Has Best Total Quality, Toyota Fewest Problems

Acknowledging that “manufacturers are running the tightest ‘quality race’ ever,” Strategic Vision announced the results of its Total Quality Index study in a press release in late August, with good news for Volkswagan, Toyota, Ford and Chrysler:

“With the industry best of only 17% of owners reporting problems, Toyota Motor Sales corporation had the lowest reported problems, resulting in Strategic Vision's lowest “Problem Impact Measure” (PIM) score of 4.29, a Strategic Vision metric that examines the report of the problem, the nature (serious, moderate or minor) of the problem, and the nature of the problem unresolved by dealer.

“Although this is good for Toyota, PIM is only a subset of ‘Total Quality.’ With near universal acceptance that manufacturers are running the tightest “quality race” ever, customers are increasingly defining ‘quality’ holistically and using Total Quality in their decisions. Total Quality measures how closely the experience of quality matches the explicit desires of the customer. In terms of Total Quality, Volkswagen Group of America is the leading corporation, followed by a tie between Ford Motor Company and Chrysler Group.

“‘This is really great news for all those corporations, but the key to success and sales will be products that satisfy the customer's increasingly insatiable need for innovation, and the complete picture of Quality,’ says Strategic Vision President, Alexander Edwards. ‘We point out Total Quality vs. Fewest Problems for a reason. When measuring quality, the complete experience must be part of the calculation and include all the perceptions that influence how people make their decision.’

“Volkswagen Group of America's Total Quality strength centers on segment leaders like Golf, Eos, Tiguan, as well Audi segment leaders A4 and A8. Ford Motor Company was able to finish second (tied with Chrysler Group) with many strong segment rankings, and leadership from Flex, F-150 and F-250/350. Perhaps the biggest surprise is the most improved corporation—Chrysler Group.

“The real message is that innovation is connected to perceptions of quality. If innovation is strong, especially such that customers can say they ‘love it,’ when referring to the product, then perceptions of quality will be greatly (positively) influenced. Strategic Vision research has proven that those who recognize and acknowledge innovation (most new car buyers) will purchase, and not just be driven by counting problems. With all manufacturers being in such close traditional quality proximity (counting problems only), there is little question that those car manufacturers who offer rich and impactful, intuitive, motivationally designed cars will have the advantage going into the future.”

The full release, including the winners of each model category, is here.

Hmmmmm, but someone said here recently in another thread that where it's assembled doesn't matter it's just about design and they're all just the same parts?? Don't see ANY of her Majesty's products listed there from ANY present or former colonies save for one.. The ONE!

And it's also noted that Chrysler is listed in there as well, I seem to remember touting their new designs and quality over the past efforts in that same thread..Seems someone has their finger firmly on the pulse of the auto industry ..

[transam]

Thought this was interesting:

New Study: Volkswagen Has Best Total Quality, Toyota Fewest Problems

Acknowledging that “manufacturers are running the tightest ‘quality race’ ever,” Strategic Vision announced the results of its Total Quality Index study in a press release in late August, with good news for Volkswagan, Toyota, Ford and Chrysler:

“With the industry best of only 17% of owners reporting problems, Toyota Motor Sales corporation had the lowest reported problems, resulting in Strategic Vision's lowest “Problem Impact Measure” (PIM) score of 4.29, a Strategic Vision metric that examines the report of the problem, the nature (serious, moderate or minor) of the problem, and the nature of the problem unresolved by dealer.

“Although this is good for Toyota, PIM is only a subset of ‘Total Quality.’ With near universal acceptance that manufacturers are running the tightest “quality race” ever, customers are increasingly defining ‘quality’ holistically and using Total Quality in their decisions. Total Quality measures how closely the experience of quality matches the explicit desires of the customer. In terms of Total Quality, Volkswagen Group of America is the leading corporation, followed by a tie between Ford Motor Company and Chrysler Group.

“‘This is really great news for all those corporations, but the key to success and sales will be products that satisfy the customer's increasingly insatiable need for innovation, and the complete picture of Quality,’ says Strategic Vision President, Alexander Edwards. ‘We point out Total Quality vs. Fewest Problems for a reason. When measuring quality, the complete experience must be part of the calculation and include all the perceptions that influence how people make their decision.’

“Volkswagen Group of America's Total Quality strength centers on segment leaders like Golf, Eos, Tiguan, as well Audi segment leaders A4 and A8. Ford Motor Company was able to finish second (tied with Chrysler Group) with many strong segment rankings, and leadership from Flex, F-150 and F-250/350. Perhaps the biggest surprise is the most improved corporation—Chrysler Group.

“The real message is that innovation is connected to perceptions of quality. If innovation is strong, especially such that customers can say they ‘love it,’ when referring to the product, then perceptions of quality will be greatly (positively) influenced. Strategic Vision research has proven that those who recognize and acknowledge innovation (most new car buyers) will purchase, and not just be driven by counting problems. With all manufacturers being in such close traditional quality proximity (counting problems only), there is little question that those car manufacturers who offer rich and impactful, intuitive, motivationally designed cars will have the advantage going into the future.”

The full release, including the winners of each model category, is here.

Hmmmmm, but someone said here recently in another thread that where it's assembled doesn't matter it's just about design and they're all just the same parts?? Don't see ANY of her Majesty's products listed there from ANY present or former colonies save for one.. The ONE!

And it's also noted that Chrysler is listed in there as well, I seem to remember touting their new designs and quality over the past efforts in that same thread..Seems someone has their finger firmly on the pulse of the auto industry ..

What Majesty are you referring too ?

The UK Majesty had no interests in car manufacture.

[mogandave]

More of the Same:

Strategic Vision has presented Total Quality Awards™ annually since 1995. Based on Strategic Vision's quantitative “ValueCentered®” NVES study, the Total Quality Index was calculated from 45,390 buyers who purchased 2012 models during September to December 2011. The following list contains the number one ranked vehicles in Total Quality in their segments as rated by new vehicle buyers:

Segment Winner(s) TQI Score

Small Car

Fiat 500 Hatchback 869

Small Multi-Function

Volkswagen Golf 874

Mid-Size Car

Chevrolet Volt 913

Mid-Size Multi-Function

Honda Accord Crosstour 879

Large Car

Dodge Charger 911

Near-Luxury Car

Audi A4 Sedan 917

Luxury Car

Audi A8 Sedan 942

Specialty Coupe

Mini Cooper Coupe 926

Premium Coupe

BMW 1-Series Coupe

Chevrolet Corvette Coupe 922

921

Convertible

Volkswagen Eos 902

Premium Convertible/Roadster

BMW Z4 Roadster 938

Minivan

Honda Odyssey 872

Entry Utility

Volkswagen Tiguan 877

Mid-Size Crossover Utility

Ford Flex 888

Mid-Size Traditional Utility

Jeep Grand Cherokee 888

Large Utility

Nissan Armada 900

Near-Luxury Utility

Land Rover Evoque 5-Door 928

Luxury Utility

BMW X6 936

Standard Pickup

Honda Ridgeline 863

Full-Size Pickup

Ford F-150 902

Heavy-Duty Pickup

Ford F-250/350 874

[mogandave]

Interesting article. Note "Total Quality Index was calculated from 45,390 buyers who purchased 2012 models during September to December 2011. The following list contains the number one ranked vehicles in Total Quality in their segments as rated by new vehicle buyers:" I.E. the vehicles sampled are less than a year old.

TQI sounds like a measure of buyer satisfaction / lack of rattles and poor fitting trim etc. Surveys for longer term reliability and component life are not so easy to find.

My dad always told me: "Don't ask sombody that has one, ask sombody that HAD one."

[stevenl]

Somebody actually answered the poll with 'Americans' .

[mortenaa]

BMW

Wait till it goes wrong.

Everything goes wrong. At least they have 5-years full warranty and service included

[transam]

BMW

Wait till it goes wrong.

Everything goes wrong. At least they have 5-years full warranty and service included

In LOS ? and they can fix it. WOW.

[Phil Conners]

I think the question was "who builds the best cars" - not which were best values, and as such I'd say hands down Germans (BMW, Merc, WV-group) and Italians (Ferrari, Lamborghini). Yeah Honda is a great value car, but if I didn't have to look at the price I wouldn't have picked one.

[hansgruber]

BMW

Wait till it goes wrong.

BM Trouble you.

[anon210]

BMW

Wait till it goes wrong.

BM Trouble you.

No, I think that was simply a reference to the horrendous cost of maintaining or repairing a BMW in Thailand.

This being said, very safe and comfortable cars, in general.

[transam]

BMW

Wait till it goes wrong.

BM Trouble you.

No, I think that was simply a reference to the horrendous cost of maintaining or repairing a BMW in Thailand.

This being said, very safe and comfortable cars, in general.

How right you are. In farang land l have been involved with them. Nuff said.

[jonclark]

TGF says Asian cars built in Europe by Americans must be best. Thai logic rules!!!