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Subject: J.D. Power: Ford Brand Now Has the Highest
J.D. Power: Ford Brand Now Has the Highest Initial Quality
Among All Non-Luxury Brands in the Industry
Jun 17, 2010 13:01:00 (ET)
DEARBORN, Mich., June 17, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Ford
brand now has the highest initial quality among all non-luxury
brands, according to J.D. Power's closely watched Initial Quality
Study
Ford rose to fifth place from last year's eighth place. This is the
highest rank position Ford has achieved in the IQS since ranking
23rd in 2004
Three Ford models rank highest within their respective segments:
Ford Focus, Mustang and Taurus
Lincoln saw an improvement in its ranking over last year and is now
among the top 10 brands in the industry
For the first time, the Ford brand has the highest initial quality
among all non-luxury brands in J.D. Power and Associates' 2010
Initial Quality Study (IQS).
The Ford brand moved to fifth place among all brands from eighth
last year. This is the highest rank position Ford has achieved in
the IQS since ranking 23rd in 2004.
Both the Ford and Lincoln brands demonstrated significant
improvements, with the Ford brand moving to the best in the
industry among all non-luxury brands. Lincoln, which was 26th on
the list last year, now sits at eighth.
The Ford brand, which continues to outpace the overall industry's
quality improvement, has posted nine consecutive years of gains in
the closely watched quality study, based on consumer evaluations
after the first three months of new-vehicle ownership.
"These results are remarkable in many ways," said Bennie Fowler,
Ford group vice president, Global Quality & New Model Launches.
"Steady and meticulous attention to new model launches along with
consistency in how we do them across the brand and the globe are
having a very positive effect on the initial quality of our all-new
or redesigned products. These results are a true testament to the
strength of the One Ford plan."
Some of Ford's most popular nameplates received top honors for
their respective segment, including Ford Focus, Taurus and Mustang.
As a company, Ford has eight models in the top three positions
within their respective award segments. The company's Hermosillo
Assembly Plant also received the Silver Plant Quality Award for
outstanding quality in manufacturing.
J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Initial Quality Study is based on
responses from more than 82,000 new 2010 model-year vehicle owners
after they have driven their new vehicles for three months. It
measures problems per 100 vehicles and was based on November
through February registrations.
"The blue oval is becoming synonymous with high quality," Fowler
said. "While we are pleased with where we are today, our job is not
done. Our plan is to keep improving quality each and every
year."
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in
Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six
continents. With about 176,000 employees and about 80 plants
worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln
and Mercury, production of which has been announced by the company
to be ending in the fourth quarter of 2010, and, until its sale,
Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor
Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products,
please visit www.ford.com .
SOURCE Ford Motor Company
