Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, May 25, 1995 TAG: 9505250083
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: B-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: DETROIT LENGTH: Medium
Infiniti, Lexus and Acura models took four of the top five spots in the California marketing firm's annual study released Wednesday. The company tracked problems reported by buyers of 1995 cars during the first three months of ownership.
Tied at the top were the Infiniti J30, made by Nissan, and the Honda Prelude. Both models had 48 reported problems per 100 cars in the survey of 50,000 people who bought new 1995 cars in November and December.
They were followed by Lexus SC 300-SC 400, made by Toyota, Acura Legend by Honda and Lexus LS 400.
Infiniti was the best overall car line, with 55 problems per 100 cars across all models.
The Infiniti, Lexus and Acura models in the top five are among the 13 Japanese luxury cars targeted by the Clinton administration in its battle to force Japan to open its domestic market to U.S. cars and car parts.
If the border tax is imposed next month, it could boost the showroom price of the cars 65 percent or more.
The overall average number of problems per 100 cars was down seven from 1994, to 103.
The Big Three U.S. makers made the most significant quality gains, said Power Senior Account Executive David Sargent.
General Motors Corp. became the first domestic automaker to score a corporate average of fewer than 100 problems per 100 cars. GM's average was 99. Chrysler Corp. had four models below the 100-problem level.
by CNB