Korean Automakers Lead, U.S. Gains in J.D. Power Quality Study
- Kia is first non-premium brand to hold top spot in 27 years
- GM has most vehicle-category wins; U.S. brands outpace imports
Korean Carmakers Top Quality Survey
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South Korean automakers Kia Motors Corp. and Hyundai Motor Co. tightened their grip on the lead in U.S. new-vehicle quality with Kia ranked best in J.D. Power’s annual survey, the first time in 27 years a non-premium brand held the top spot.
General Motors Co. had seven winners in vehicle categories, the most of any company in the Initial Quality Study, released Wednesday, and the Detroit Three automakers’ domestic brands scored better on average than their import counterparts for just the second time in the survey’s 30 years. Kia’s rate of 83 problems reported per 100 vehicles in the first 90 days of ownership was one fewer than Porsche, with Hyundai third at 92.