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Wednesday, April 18, 2007

 

FordMoCo has top quality!

There really is some good news about our domestic automakers. Hopefully this will help the bottom line.


Ford: Quality equal to Toyota
In survey of 31,000 new vehicle owners, Ford beats industry average for problems.
Bryce G. Hoffman / The Detroit News

Ford / Mercury
The 2007 Mercury Milan was one of the most problem-free vehicles from any manufacturer, with just 910 issues reported per 1,000 vehicles.

In terms of initial vehicle quality, Ford Motor Co. is in a statistical dead-heat for second place with Japan's Toyota Motor Corp. and Nissan Motor Co., according to a new study the Dearborn automaker plans to release today. Honda Motor Co. is the quality leader.
The report is based on an annual survey of 31,000 new vehicle owners that was conducted for Ford by the RDA Group, a market research firm based in Bloomfield Hills. The study evaluated 2007 model cars and trucks from all full-line manufacturers and asked drivers to list any problems they had encountered during their first 90 days of ownership.
The Detroit News reviewed the findings with sources familiar with the report. These sources said four Ford vehicles -- the Mercury Milan, Ford Shelby GT-500, Ford Expedition EL and Lincoln Navigator -- led their segments in initial quality.
Improving quality is a major goal for Ford, which is struggling to hold on to what remains of its U.S. market share after years of losses to foreign competitors.
The RDA study found Ford cars and trucks had 1,458 problems per 1,000 vehicles -- 32 fewer problems than the industry average of 1,490 and 128 fewer than Ford customers reported last year.
The results were even better for Ford's North American brands -- Ford, Lincoln and Mercury -- which combined had 1,456 problems per 1,000 vehicles. Sources said the overall number was slightly hurt by the automaker's European brands.
The Milan was one of the most problem-free vehicles from any manufacturer, with just 910 issues reported per 1,000 vehicles.
Ford spokeswoman Anne Marie Gattari confirmed the existence of the report, but would not discuss the findings. She said the company will release the details today, but wanted to tell employees first. She said improving quality is a central aim of the company's Way Forward turnaround plan.
"We are pleased with the direction of our quality, but we're not satisfied," Gattari said. "This is something we have to continue to be diligent with. Quality, along with safety, innovation and design, are our top priorities in delivering more vehicles that customers want."

I just hope Ford can make some money for once. I have always been a Ford fan and hope their quality stays high.

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Comments:
On average more than one problem per vehicle?? Industry-wide?? Yikes, it seems to me that is pretty bad. Are there any other industries that tolerate such a high rate of problems?
 
Yes, it does look like each car had at least one problem, however that usually isn't how it actually works out. Most often some cars have more than one problem and some have none. Also, that is why there are warranties, becuase manufacturers know that little things go wrong at the beginning. But it is cool to say the Ford is Tie with Toyota in QUality.
 
Also, most industries do not have a product with so many parts. If they went by how many problems compared to how many parts, the auto industry would probably be above everyone else.
 
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