South Korean Brands Thrashes Rivals in J.D. Power’s 2018 Initial Quality Study

The annual J.D. Power Initial Quality Study (IQS) has served as a benchmark for owner satisfaction with new vehicles for more than three decades. It measures the number and type of problems verified owners have experienced with their new vehicles during the first 90 days of ownership, based on assessments of more than 200 individual vehicle parameters. Initial quality is determined by the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100), with a lower score reflecting higher quality.

Related: Hyundai’s Genesis beats Audi and BMW as top-rated brand for 2018 in USA

This year’s study shows a 4% improvement in quality. Once again, the Korean brands outperform their Japanese, American and European competitors. And, Genesis ranks highest overall for the first time ever. The top 3 positions are taken by Genesis, Kia and Hyundai respectively.

The Genesis luxury brand topped the list with 68 problems per 100 cars. Genesis- a lineup up of two cars (G80 and G90) with a third (G70) on the way, beat the previous top-ranked luxury brand Porsche (with 79 problems per 100 cars).

Related: Toyota Named Most Valuable Car Brand for Six Consecutive Years

Hyundai scored 14 fewer problems, that is 74 per 100 vehicles this year, moving from sixth last year to third position this year. Whereas Kia scored 72 problems per 100 cars, securing the second position.

The Genesis-Kia-Hyundai trifecta of leadership may take some consumers by surprise, but their improvement is part of a broader improvement in quality in the industry, as well as a steady climb in quality at the Korean automakers.

Source: J.D. Power

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