Industry Report Part 1: New J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study Puts Lexus on Top as Usual

This statistic shouldn't be too comfortable for the Swedish automaker, which if it weren't for Volkswagen and Land Rover,

There is no denying it, Volkswagen needs to do something about its horrible dependability ranking. (Photo: Volkswagen Canada)

would be the worst faring European nameplate. Saab's strong showing no doubt makes the wound smart even more, being that the two companies are longtime rivals, and their current Ford Motor (Volvo) and General Motors (Saab) parents are even larger competitors, on a per unit basis.

Volkswagen has to do something about its horrible dependability ranking, only managing to eke past Isuzu, Daewoo (which doesn't exist anymore), Kia and Land Rover to take its 33rd place out of 37. Its position remains constant at least, having

Instead of closing the gap on rival BMW, Mercedes-Benz fell backwards from 27th to 28th. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz Canada)

achieved 33rd in 2003, and it does improve its PP100 by 5 points, from 391 to 386.

Another significant European brand that really must shape up in the VDS is Mercedes-Benz, falling backward from 27th place and 318 PP100 to 28th and 327. To the luxury marque's credit, it has made impressive headway in the 2004 IQS, which of course should lead to more promising VDS rankings in the future.

On the other hand BMW, Mercedes-Benz' archrival, continues to do well in 13th place and 2nd among European manufacturers. While its current 264 PP100 rating far outclasses Mercedes-Benz, it also loses a little ground in the 2004 VDS when compared to its 2003 ranking of 262.