Buick Ranks Number 1 in JD Power and Associates Study
By Thomas Rosquin
The results are in and Buick ranks number one on The J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS). Buick has been in the top ten ranking of the VDS since 2003. The number one ranking is a nice jump from the 6th place ranking Buick received in 2008. In the current study the Buick LaCrosse ranked number one, above the Toyota Camry and the Mercury Milan in the Midsize Car division.
During the study, J.D. Power and Associates reviewed the evaluations of over 46,000 original owners of 2006 model-year vehicles. The study includes 202 problems owners have experienced over a three year period of time. Vehicles are ranked highest when there are fewer problems reported.
The study is broken into four components:
-Overall Dependability-rating how frequently a complete breakdown or malfunction of any vehicle component occurred
- Powertrain Dependability-rating problems with the engine, transmission or driving experience.
- Body & Interior Dependability – rating the vehicle wind or rattle noise, imperfections in the paint or other finishes and water leaks
- Features and Accessories Dependability – rating problems with the seats, windshield wipers, navigation system and stereo system.
Buick ranked five out of five in Overall Dependability, Powertrain Dependability and Features and Accessories Dependability. For Body and Interior Dependability they ranked four out of five. Placing Buick well above Acura, BMW, Cadillac, Infiniti, Mazda, Toyota and Volvo. Considering the study spanned three years it is safe to assume that the 2008/2009 Buicks will also rank very high in future J.D. Power Associates studies.
This VDS will be a shot in the arm for Buick. Consumers are reluctant to purchase new vehicles in tough economic times. Research shows that people are hanging on to vehicles longer than ever before. When the do decide to buy a new automobile they are searching for something that will last. No one wants to buy a new transmission or engine after only a few years, they want something they can trust.