Study: Best Quality Belongs to Volkswagen, Toyota has Fewest Reported Problems

According to a study conducted by Strategic Vision, Toyota receives the least amount of complaints from its customers while Volkswagen Group of America has the best quality product. Results of the 2012 Total Quality Index study showed that Toyota had the lowest reported problems, good for a “Problem Impact Measure” score of 4.29. PIM takes different factors into consideration, including the seriousness of the reported problem, and how long the dealer took to remedy it. While the low score is good for Toyota, it’s only a part of the total Total Quality Index score.  The automaker with the best total quality title, according to this study, belongs to Volkswagen Group of America.

Volkswagen can attribute its high quality score to the likes of the Golf, Eos, and Tiguan, while luxury arm Audi can thank the A4 and A8 for contributing. Ford and the Chrysler Group sit in a tie for second place with the likes of the Flex and F-Series trucks pacing the Blue Oval, while the Dodge Charger and redesigned Jeep Grand Cherokee led the way for the Chrysler Group. This is good news for Chrysler Group, as the automaker continues on its path to a record-setting year only three years after resurfacing from bankruptcy.

“[Chrysler Group is] definitely beginning to turn things around and the Fiat 500 is just one example. Attributes like Fiat 500′s Exterior Styling and Workmanship, and even Sound Systems, all become part of the Total Quality equation when one explicitly captures the heart and mind of how customer’s think when spending $20,000 to $100,000 on a vehicle,” said Darrel Edwards, Ph.D., Strategic Vision Chairman and Founder in a statement. “Of course some brands do not compete at the corporate level. BMW and Mercedes continue to do well, but monitor the pulse of America, and be sure to recognize the current trend of ‘smart’ luxury,” said Dr. Edwards.

Strategic Vision evaluated 21 segments from automakers all over the world. While some winners were expected, others came as a little bit of a surprise. Check out the winners list below and tell us what you think of it in the comment section at the bottom of the page.

Source: Strategic Vision