Toyota tops German J.D. Power study
MUNICH - Toyota ranked No. 1 in overall customer satisfaction in Germany in a study by J.D. Power and Associates.
Toyota's score was 856 points out of 1000. The industry average was 800.
Toyota has topped the J.D. Power Germany Customer Satisfaction survey of owners of 2-year-old cars every year since the US market researcher started the study here four years ago.
Mazda retained the No. 2 spot in this year's study. BMW jumped to third place from fifth, making it the most improved brand among marques that performed above the industry average.
The study of 27 brands and 119 models was based on the responses of more than 22,000 vehicle owners in Germany who rated their experiences with their vehicles, their dealers and the cost of ownership.
Mazda did well because of high scores in the areas of quality and reliability and service satisfaction.
BMW moved to third place due to improvements in service satisfaction and ownership costs.
Toyota wins 5 of 7
Toyota models were ranked No. 1 in five of the seven model segments that were rated. The Yaris Verso topped the small-car segment; the Corolla was the leading lower-medium model; the Avensis was first in the upper-medium segment; the Corolla Verso ranked first in the minivan class and the RAV4 was the No. 1 SUV.
BMW's 5 series was first in the executive/luxury segment and the Mercedes-Benz CLK was No. 1 ranked sports car.
Toyota performed particularly well in quality and reliability, service satisfaction and ownership costs.
The overall industry average increased to 800 points in 2005, up from 786 in 2004 and a 33-index-point increase since the first Germany study in 2002. David Lauth, managing director of J.D. Power's Munich office, said there was a marked improvement in consumers' service satisfaction, probably because of the 2003 introduction of more stringent dealer standards by automakers.
The survey was conducted with German motoring magazine Mot.
- Manufacturer)* 2005 2004
- Toyota (1)* 856 844
- Mazda (2) 839 816
- BMW (5) 837 808
- Volvo (7) 828 800
- Honda (4) 827 811
- Mitsubishi (5) 819 802
- Skoda (9) 814 798
- Audi (8) 811 799
- Ford (14) 804 794
- Opel (12) 803 790
- Mercedes (11) 802 792
- Industry Ave. 800 786
- Nissan (10) 799 797
- Subaru (3) 797 815
- Hyundai (16) 791 779
- Renault (15) 789 783
- Mini (24) 788 754
- Citroen (19) 783 769
- Peugeot (22) 782 767
- Suzuki (17) 781 775
- Volkswagen (21) 781 768
- Chrysler (27) 779 738
- Seat (18) 776 774
- Kia (20) 773 768
- Alfa Romeo (25) 771 750
- Fiat (26) 763 748
- Smart (23) 754 759
- Chevrolet (28) 734 737
From Automotive News Europe
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