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