A new study says that when it comes to initial quality, no automaker performs better than Ford. According to the 2008 U.S. Global Quality Research System study, Ford's initial quality now equals that of Toyota and Honda- representing a statistical tie for top place with the Japanese automakers. The study represents an 8 percent increase in quality over last year, and says that each new car and truck launched with improved quality versus it predecessor.
How is the quality determined? It's an interesting measure called the "Things Gone Wrong" rating- resulting in a 'TGW' number per 1,000 vehicles during the first three months of ownership. Fords vehicles averaged 1,284 TGW items, statistically equivalent to the 1,250 TGW rating level of Toyota and Honda.
"Last year we tied with Toyota, and this year our quality performance is as good as industry-leading Honda's too," said Mark Fields, Ford's president of The Americas. "Our world-class quality is one of the most important aspects of our turnaround in North America. This consistently strong quality improvement should offer today's customer renewed confidence, setting the stage for important new products like Ford Flex, which is launching this summer."
Ford earned extra honors from the study in the areas of interior trim, seats and appearance- as well as paint, vehicle engineering and electrical / entertainment systems. A total for 15 Ford, Lincoln, Mercury vehicles are now ranked in the top three of their respective segments for either TGW performance, customer satisfaction or both.
How is the quality determined? It's an interesting measure called the "Things Gone Wrong" rating- resulting in a 'TGW' number per 1,000 vehicles during the first three months of ownership. Fords vehicles averaged 1,284 TGW items, statistically equivalent to the 1,250 TGW rating level of Toyota and Honda.
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"Last year we tied with Toyota, and this year our quality performance is as good as industry-leading Honda's too," said Mark Fields, Ford's president of The Americas. "Our world-class quality is one of the most important aspects of our turnaround in North America. This consistently strong quality improvement should offer today's customer renewed confidence, setting the stage for important new products like Ford Flex, which is launching this summer."
Ford earned extra honors from the study in the areas of interior trim, seats and appearance- as well as paint, vehicle engineering and electrical / entertainment systems. A total for 15 Ford, Lincoln, Mercury vehicles are now ranked in the top three of their respective segments for either TGW performance, customer satisfaction or both.