Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, May 28, 1993 TAG: 9305280140
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: A-9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: DETROIT LENGTH: Medium
Toyota and other Japanese automakers dominated the survey released Thursday by the marketing information firm J.D. Power & Associates.
But Big Three carmakers improved their standings, further narrowing the quality gap that remains a deterrent to some Americans shopping for a new car.
The Lexus LS 400 and the SC 300-400, built by Toyota, finished one-two in a measure of the fewest problems per 100 vehicles. In an assessment of light trucks, Toyota won five of six categories. There was no maker above the industry average in the best full-size van category.
The Infiniti J30 and Q45 finished third and fourth, respectively. Infiniti is Nissan Motor Corp.'s luxury division. All Infiniti and Lexus cars are imported from Japan.
Toyota's Georgetown, Ky., assembly plant, where the Camry sedan is built, was judged the best of more than 80 assembly plants in North America. The Camry tied with the Infiniti Q45 for fourth place, the highest of any car assembled in North America.
Rounding out the top models were: the Acura Legend and Ford Crown Victoria in a tie for sixth place; the Lexus ES300 in eighth place; the Toyota Paseo in ninth place and the Buick Park Avenue, Toyota Corolla and Toyota Tercel in a tie for 10th.
The survey showed domestic cars had the greatest improvement over last year, up 19 percent. European quality improved 17 percent and Asian quality improved 10 percent.
The statistics are based on questionnaires answered by more than 45,000 consumers and have become a benchmark for rating vehicle quality in the automotive industry. Automakers scoring well in J.D. Power surveys often use the information to tout their vehicles in advertisements.
by CNB