"Quality Control" GM rank #11 ?
#1
02-12-2010, 07:01 AM
"Quality Control" GM rank #11 ?
Relatively few complain about Toyota
By Ben Rooney, staff reporter
2010 Toyota Corolla
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Despite a torrent of high-profile recalls that have tarnished Toyota's once stellar reputation, a study published Wednesday reveals that the automaker actually gets fewer customer complaints per car than the majority of its competitors.
Edmunds.com reviewed more than 200,000 complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) over the last decade and found that Toyota ranked 17th among the top 20 automakers in the overall number of complaints per vehicle sold.
The results come amid a series of recalls totaling more than 8.1 million Toyotas worldwide, including 400,000 of the popular 2010 Prius hybrid for problems associated with sticking brake pedals, software glitches and faulty floormats.
The study was based on the percentage of complaints each automaker received versus the total number of vehicles they sold in the United States between 2001 and 2010.
MORE AT CNNMONEY.COM
Meanwhile, Toyota had 9.1% of all the complaints in the database. But the company was number 17 on the list because its sales made up 13.5% of the U.S. market.
According to the study, Toyota had fewer complaints than its American rivals. Ford was number 10 on the list, while General Motors came in at number 11.
The only automakers to receive fewer complaints than Toyota were Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and the Mercedes-made Smart Car.
Among the other automakers that ranked high on the list were Suzuki and Isuzu, which came in at numbers 2 and 3 respectively. German automaker Volkswagen came in at number 4.
The complaints lodged against Toyota ranged from minor problems with lighting to more serious issues such as sudden acceleration and difficulty steering. But the study did not rate the reported incidences for severity.
Edmunds.com said that it found some unreliable reports in the database, including one complaint indicating that 99 people had died in one vehicle as a result of an accident. It also said that about 10% of the complaints appeared to be duplicates.
Quality control: Not just Toyota's problem
While the issues raised by Toyota's recent recalls shouldn't be overlooked, quality control concerns are apparent across the entire automobile industry, said Jeremy Anwyl, Edmunds.com chief executive.
"A broader view shows that consumer complaints reflect an industry issue, not just a Toyota issue," said Anwyl. "It is no longer an option for car companies to dismiss consumer complaints, even if the event is difficult to replicate or diagnose."
Some automakers assume that customer complaints are the result of driver error and not necessarily a reflection of design problems, said Jeannine Fallon, an Edmunds.com analyst.
"It depends on the culture of the car company," she said. "But it's clear now that Toyota has not had very many conversations with NHTSA."
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By Ben Rooney, staff reporter
2010 Toyota CorollaNEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Despite a torrent of high-profile recalls that have tarnished Toyota's once stellar reputation, a study published Wednesday reveals that the automaker actually gets fewer customer complaints per car than the majority of its competitors.
Edmunds.com reviewed more than 200,000 complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) over the last decade and found that Toyota ranked 17th among the top 20 automakers in the overall number of complaints per vehicle sold.
The results come amid a series of recalls totaling more than 8.1 million Toyotas worldwide, including 400,000 of the popular 2010 Prius hybrid for problems associated with sticking brake pedals, software glitches and faulty floormats.
The study was based on the percentage of complaints each automaker received versus the total number of vehicles they sold in the United States between 2001 and 2010.
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- » Toyota's next problem: Lawsuits
- » Toyota recalling 437,000 hybrids
- » Honda recalls 438,000 cars for airbag hazard
Meanwhile, Toyota had 9.1% of all the complaints in the database. But the company was number 17 on the list because its sales made up 13.5% of the U.S. market.
According to the study, Toyota had fewer complaints than its American rivals. Ford was number 10 on the list, while General Motors came in at number 11.
The only automakers to receive fewer complaints than Toyota were Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and the Mercedes-made Smart Car.
Among the other automakers that ranked high on the list were Suzuki and Isuzu, which came in at numbers 2 and 3 respectively. German automaker Volkswagen came in at number 4.
The complaints lodged against Toyota ranged from minor problems with lighting to more serious issues such as sudden acceleration and difficulty steering. But the study did not rate the reported incidences for severity.
Edmunds.com said that it found some unreliable reports in the database, including one complaint indicating that 99 people had died in one vehicle as a result of an accident. It also said that about 10% of the complaints appeared to be duplicates.
Quality control: Not just Toyota's problem
While the issues raised by Toyota's recent recalls shouldn't be overlooked, quality control concerns are apparent across the entire automobile industry, said Jeremy Anwyl, Edmunds.com chief executive.
"A broader view shows that consumer complaints reflect an industry issue, not just a Toyota issue," said Anwyl. "It is no longer an option for car companies to dismiss consumer complaints, even if the event is difficult to replicate or diagnose."
Some automakers assume that customer complaints are the result of driver error and not necessarily a reflection of design problems, said Jeannine Fallon, an Edmunds.com analyst.
"It depends on the culture of the car company," she said. "But it's clear now that Toyota has not had very many conversations with NHTSA."
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#2
02-12-2010, 07:05 AM
Best New Car Values 2010: Best Resale Value is any late Model Chevrolet Monte Carlo 
LOL 
By Kiplinger.com
2010 Scion xB
An important measure of a vehicle’s value -- and appeal -- is what it’s expected to be worth three and five years down the road. These figures, supplied by Kelley Blue Book, are the estimated price a dealer would pay if you traded in the vehicle, expressed as a percentage of original sticker price.
To win best-resale plaudits, the model must first be selected as one of the top 25 vehicles in its category. Then we pick the vehicle with the highest three-year resale value.
Among Kiplinger’s Best in Class and Best New winners are several Toyota models that have been recalled because of sticking gas pedals and/or floor mats that can trap the accelerator. In addition, the Toyota Prius, a Best Resale Value winner, has been cited for problems with its anti-lock brake system. Kelley Blue Book, which supplies our resale values, has not yet adjusted the three-year values we use as a factor in our rankings (although it has dropped values on used Toyotas by as much as 3%). Almost certainly there will be a dip in long-term values of new vehicles as the market reacts to the recalls. But Kiplinger believes that resale values on affected Toyotas will eventually rebound.
MORE FROM KIPLINGER.COM
2010 Scion xB
Sticker price: $16,420 (manual)
Dealer cost: $15,632
New Car Blue Book Value: $16,420
Five-year service cost: $3,058
One-year insurance cost: $961
Resale value after three years: 60% -- five years: 42%
City: 22 mpg -- Highway: 28 mpg
The Scion xB’s rep as an edgy, hip vehicle that also offers scads of utility boosts its three-year resale value (and it doesn’t hurt that Scion is a Toyota nameplate). The xB offers a capacious 22 cubic feet of cargo space and optional features, such as touch-screen navigation and a DVD entertainment system.
Best Resale Value: $20,000-$25,000
2010 Mini Cooper S
Sticker price: $23,000 (manual)
Dealer cost: $20,770
New Car Blue Book Value: NA
Five-year service cost: $6,990
One-year insurance cost: $1,094
Resale value after three years: 68% -- five years: 47%
City: 26 mpg -- Highway: 34 mpg
With astronomical resale values -- the highest of any vehicle in Kiplinger’s listings -- the Mini Cooper S easily takes top honors in its category. Its 2.6-liter turbocharged engine makes acceleration effortless, but the Mini still sips gas politely.
Best Resale Value: $25,000-$30,000
2010 Toyota Prius IV
Sticker price: $26,950
Dealer cost: $25,140
New Car Blue Book Value: $26,950
Five-year service cost: $3,142
One-year insurance cost: $1,139
Resale value after three years: 61% -- five years: 44%
City: 51 mpg -- Highway: 48 mpg
Move up the trim levels of the third-generation Prius (which takes top honors in the $20,000 to $25,000 category as Best New Car) to the Prius IV and you get a premium audio system, Bluetooth phone connection and heated leather seats. Resale value after three years is 61%.
Best Resale Value: $30,000-$45,000
2010 Audi A5 2.0T Quattro AWD Premium
Sticker price: $36,825 (manual)
Dealer cost: $34,305
New Car Blue Book Value: $36,825
Five-year service cost: $5,415
One-year insurance cost: $1,638
Resale value after three years: 63% -- five years: 43%
City: 22 mpg -- Highway: 30 mpg
This full-size coupe shares the fuel-thrifty, 2.0-liter turbocharged engine of the A4 and bests all the entry-luxury competitors on resale value by a couple of percentage points. Resale value is a stellar 63% after three years and 43% after five. A convertible version was added to the A5 lineup for 2010.
Best Resale Value: Over $45,000
2010 Lexus LS 460
Sticker price: $65,555
Dealer cost: $58,438
New Car Blue Book Value: $65,555
Five-year service cost: $5,156
One-year insurance cost: $2,102
Resale value after three years: 59% -- five years: 39%
City: 16 mpg -- Highway: 24 mpg
A perennial favorite, the LS 460 is also Best in Class. High resale values are part of what gets it there; no other car in this class even comes close to the LS 460’s resale value of 59% after three years.
Best Resale Value: Sports
2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS
Sticker price: $31,595 (1SS manual)
Dealer cost: $30,365
New Car Blue Book Value: $32,543
Five-year service cost: $3,900
One-year insurance cost: $1,225
Resale value after three years: 62% -- five years: 44%
City: 16 mpg -- Highway: 24mpg
Also capturing the nod for Best New Car, the highly anticipated Camaro SS features a growling V8 that puts out 426 horses and a retro design inside and out. Not surprisingly, this beast is expected to be in demand on the used market as well, with resale values of 62% after three years and 44% after five.
Best Resale Value: Small Crossovers
2010 Honda CR-V EX AWD
Sticker price: $25,805
Dealer cost: $24,058
New Car Blue Book Value: $25,805
Five-year service cost: $2,997
One-year insurance cost: $1,017
Resale value after three years: 64% -- five years: 45%
City: 21 mpg -- Highway: 27 mpg
On the resale front, Honda’s small crossover benefits from the brand’s reputation for reliability. Resale value on the top-of-the-line EX trim with all-wheel drive is 64% after three years. The CR-V EX also earns a win as Best in Class.
Best Resale Value: Large and Midsize Crossovers
Tie: 2010 BMW X5 35d AWD
Sticker price: $52,025
Dealer cost: $47,930
New Car Blue Book Value: $52,025
Five-year service cost: $4,099
One-year insurance cost: $2,050
Resale value after three years: 64% -- five years: 42%
City: 19 mpg -- Highway: 26 mpg
The ultimate suburban status symbol got a clean diesel engine last year, making it all the more desirable. The X5 is on our top-ten list of fast-selling vehicles, and resale value on the diesel version is 64% after three years. It ties with BMW’s X6 35i.
Best Resale Value: Large and Midsize Crossovers
Tie: 2010 BMW X6 35i AWD
Sticker price: $57,125
Dealer cost: $52,620
New Car Blue Book Value: $57,125
Five-year service cost: $3,605
One-year insurance cost: $2,069
Resale value after three years: 64% -- five years: 42%
City: 15 mpg -- Highway: 21 mpg
A new intro for BMW last year, the X6 is part SUV, part wagon, and all fun to drive. This unique four-seater ties sibling X5 35d for Best Resale, posting values of 64% after three years and 42% after five.
Best Resale Value: Truck-based SUVs
2010 Jeep Wrangler Sport AWD
Sticker price: $21,915 (manual)
Dealer cost: $21,377
New Car Blue Book Value: $21,915
Five-year service cost: $3,975
One-year insurance cost: $1,090
Resale value after three years: 64% -- five years: 46%
City: 15 mpg -- Highway: 19 mpg
Jeep’s classic off-roading drop-top has several feathers in its cap -- low insurance costs, a friendly starting price and plenty of legroom for a small SUV. Resale values are pumped up by the Wrangler’s popularity and Jeep’s loyal buyer base.
Best Resale Value: Minivans
2010 Honda Odyssey EX
Sticker price: $30,615
Dealer cost: $27,808
New Car Blue Book Value: NA
Five-year service cost: $3,601
One-year insurance cost: $1,002
Resale value after three years: 59% -- five years: 40%
City: 16 mpg -- Highway: 23 mpg
Honda reliability and five-star safety help boost the Odyssey's long-term value. Resale value after three years is 59% for the EX. The up-to-eight-passenger people mover also has scads of storage.
Best Resale Value: Wagons
2010 Toyota Matrix S
Sticker price: $20,400 (manual)
Dealer cost: $18,729
New Car Blue Book Value: $20,400
Five-year service cost: $3,098
One-year insurance cost: $1,127
Resale value after three years: 62% -- five years: 44%
City: 21 mpg -- Highway: 29 mpg
Redesigned last year, Toyota’s wagon boasts an impressive mix of economy, utility and safety. Low annual fuel costs and an ergonomic instrument panel accompany a resale value of 62% after three years.
LOL By Kiplinger.com
2010 Scion xBAn important measure of a vehicle’s value -- and appeal -- is what it’s expected to be worth three and five years down the road. These figures, supplied by Kelley Blue Book, are the estimated price a dealer would pay if you traded in the vehicle, expressed as a percentage of original sticker price.
To win best-resale plaudits, the model must first be selected as one of the top 25 vehicles in its category. Then we pick the vehicle with the highest three-year resale value.
Among Kiplinger’s Best in Class and Best New winners are several Toyota models that have been recalled because of sticking gas pedals and/or floor mats that can trap the accelerator. In addition, the Toyota Prius, a Best Resale Value winner, has been cited for problems with its anti-lock brake system. Kelley Blue Book, which supplies our resale values, has not yet adjusted the three-year values we use as a factor in our rankings (although it has dropped values on used Toyotas by as much as 3%). Almost certainly there will be a dip in long-term values of new vehicles as the market reacts to the recalls. But Kiplinger believes that resale values on affected Toyotas will eventually rebound.
MORE FROM KIPLINGER.COM
- » Best Values in 2010 Cars: Most Fuel-Efficient
- » QUIZ: How Smart a Car Buyer Are You?
- » Secrets of Selling a Used Car
2010 Scion xB
Sticker price: $16,420 (manual)
Dealer cost: $15,632
New Car Blue Book Value: $16,420
Five-year service cost: $3,058
One-year insurance cost: $961
Resale value after three years: 60% -- five years: 42%
City: 22 mpg -- Highway: 28 mpg
The Scion xB’s rep as an edgy, hip vehicle that also offers scads of utility boosts its three-year resale value (and it doesn’t hurt that Scion is a Toyota nameplate). The xB offers a capacious 22 cubic feet of cargo space and optional features, such as touch-screen navigation and a DVD entertainment system.
Best Resale Value: $20,000-$25,000
2010 Mini Cooper S
Sticker price: $23,000 (manual)
Dealer cost: $20,770
New Car Blue Book Value: NA
Five-year service cost: $6,990
One-year insurance cost: $1,094
Resale value after three years: 68% -- five years: 47%
City: 26 mpg -- Highway: 34 mpg
With astronomical resale values -- the highest of any vehicle in Kiplinger’s listings -- the Mini Cooper S easily takes top honors in its category. Its 2.6-liter turbocharged engine makes acceleration effortless, but the Mini still sips gas politely.
Best Resale Value: $25,000-$30,000
2010 Toyota Prius IV
Sticker price: $26,950
Dealer cost: $25,140
New Car Blue Book Value: $26,950
Five-year service cost: $3,142
One-year insurance cost: $1,139
Resale value after three years: 61% -- five years: 44%
City: 51 mpg -- Highway: 48 mpg
Move up the trim levels of the third-generation Prius (which takes top honors in the $20,000 to $25,000 category as Best New Car) to the Prius IV and you get a premium audio system, Bluetooth phone connection and heated leather seats. Resale value after three years is 61%.
Best Resale Value: $30,000-$45,000
2010 Audi A5 2.0T Quattro AWD Premium
Sticker price: $36,825 (manual)
Dealer cost: $34,305
New Car Blue Book Value: $36,825
Five-year service cost: $5,415
One-year insurance cost: $1,638
Resale value after three years: 63% -- five years: 43%
City: 22 mpg -- Highway: 30 mpg
This full-size coupe shares the fuel-thrifty, 2.0-liter turbocharged engine of the A4 and bests all the entry-luxury competitors on resale value by a couple of percentage points. Resale value is a stellar 63% after three years and 43% after five. A convertible version was added to the A5 lineup for 2010.
Best Resale Value: Over $45,000
2010 Lexus LS 460
Sticker price: $65,555
Dealer cost: $58,438
New Car Blue Book Value: $65,555
Five-year service cost: $5,156
One-year insurance cost: $2,102
Resale value after three years: 59% -- five years: 39%
City: 16 mpg -- Highway: 24 mpg
A perennial favorite, the LS 460 is also Best in Class. High resale values are part of what gets it there; no other car in this class even comes close to the LS 460’s resale value of 59% after three years.
Best Resale Value: Sports
2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS
Sticker price: $31,595 (1SS manual)
Dealer cost: $30,365
New Car Blue Book Value: $32,543
Five-year service cost: $3,900
One-year insurance cost: $1,225
Resale value after three years: 62% -- five years: 44%
City: 16 mpg -- Highway: 24mpg
Also capturing the nod for Best New Car, the highly anticipated Camaro SS features a growling V8 that puts out 426 horses and a retro design inside and out. Not surprisingly, this beast is expected to be in demand on the used market as well, with resale values of 62% after three years and 44% after five.
Best Resale Value: Small Crossovers
2010 Honda CR-V EX AWD
Sticker price: $25,805
Dealer cost: $24,058
New Car Blue Book Value: $25,805
Five-year service cost: $2,997
One-year insurance cost: $1,017
Resale value after three years: 64% -- five years: 45%
City: 21 mpg -- Highway: 27 mpg
On the resale front, Honda’s small crossover benefits from the brand’s reputation for reliability. Resale value on the top-of-the-line EX trim with all-wheel drive is 64% after three years. The CR-V EX also earns a win as Best in Class.
Best Resale Value: Large and Midsize Crossovers
Tie: 2010 BMW X5 35d AWD
Sticker price: $52,025
Dealer cost: $47,930
New Car Blue Book Value: $52,025
Five-year service cost: $4,099
One-year insurance cost: $2,050
Resale value after three years: 64% -- five years: 42%
City: 19 mpg -- Highway: 26 mpg
The ultimate suburban status symbol got a clean diesel engine last year, making it all the more desirable. The X5 is on our top-ten list of fast-selling vehicles, and resale value on the diesel version is 64% after three years. It ties with BMW’s X6 35i.
Best Resale Value: Large and Midsize Crossovers
Tie: 2010 BMW X6 35i AWD
Sticker price: $57,125
Dealer cost: $52,620
New Car Blue Book Value: $57,125
Five-year service cost: $3,605
One-year insurance cost: $2,069
Resale value after three years: 64% -- five years: 42%
City: 15 mpg -- Highway: 21 mpg
A new intro for BMW last year, the X6 is part SUV, part wagon, and all fun to drive. This unique four-seater ties sibling X5 35d for Best Resale, posting values of 64% after three years and 42% after five.
Best Resale Value: Truck-based SUVs
2010 Jeep Wrangler Sport AWD
Sticker price: $21,915 (manual)
Dealer cost: $21,377
New Car Blue Book Value: $21,915
Five-year service cost: $3,975
One-year insurance cost: $1,090
Resale value after three years: 64% -- five years: 46%
City: 15 mpg -- Highway: 19 mpg
Jeep’s classic off-roading drop-top has several feathers in its cap -- low insurance costs, a friendly starting price and plenty of legroom for a small SUV. Resale values are pumped up by the Wrangler’s popularity and Jeep’s loyal buyer base.
Best Resale Value: Minivans
2010 Honda Odyssey EX
Sticker price: $30,615
Dealer cost: $27,808
New Car Blue Book Value: NA
Five-year service cost: $3,601
One-year insurance cost: $1,002
Resale value after three years: 59% -- five years: 40%
City: 16 mpg -- Highway: 23 mpg
Honda reliability and five-star safety help boost the Odyssey's long-term value. Resale value after three years is 59% for the EX. The up-to-eight-passenger people mover also has scads of storage.
Best Resale Value: Wagons
2010 Toyota Matrix S
Sticker price: $20,400 (manual)
Dealer cost: $18,729
New Car Blue Book Value: $20,400
Five-year service cost: $3,098
One-year insurance cost: $1,127
Resale value after three years: 62% -- five years: 44%
City: 21 mpg -- Highway: 29 mpg
Redesigned last year, Toyota’s wagon boasts an impressive mix of economy, utility and safety. Low annual fuel costs and an ergonomic instrument panel accompany a resale value of 62% after three years.
#3
02-12-2010, 07:29 AM
As far as the Toyota thing goes... even the best slip up eventually. This applies to sports, politics (well, okay, I'll let you argue me down on this one), businesses.... and Toyota is now having their slip.
#4
02-12-2010, 07:42 AM
...Hi Cowboy `Duane, I won't argue...., I think Toyota has built many reliable vehicles, and I look for the positives in their problems.
I think it will make every auto company better, ie EveryOne will be searching/researching & looking for problems in their vehicles, & in the long run the results will be better built/designed safer vehicles for `all.
"Quality is Job #1 not #2"
Peace/Out
#5
02-13-2010, 12:41 PM
As far as the Toyota thing goes... even the best slip up eventually.
I will say that Toyota has done a great job overall with their quality- which I think is a great thing for the industry- it has pushed all automakers to strive for better quality (especially the domestic manufacturers who were behind the ball in the quality world). However, unfortunately a company making affordable, quality cars doesn't necessarily mean they make cars that are sporty and fun to drive- which is why they currently offer nothing that I would consider buying. I always thought it would be cool if they would release a new version of the Supra. However, I think they're in so deep with practicality and profitability that a small market performance car wouldn't make it through anymore.
#6
02-14-2010, 12:33 PM
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Henderson, NV
Posts: 6,996
Turtle didnt like the findings of this report. How do i know?
We parked next to a Scion and i think Turtle kicked it with her huge 75 series tires. Left a nice dent.
We parked next to a Scion and i think Turtle kicked it with her huge 75 series tires. Left a nice dent.
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