GM Increases Number of J.D. Power Initial Quality Study Awards

General Motors Co.’s commitment to continuous vehicle quality improvement received significant recognition in the 2010 J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study (IQS) with 10 models ranking in the top three in their segment for quality performance in the first 90 days of ownership.

GM’s Lansing (Mich.) Grand River assembly plant - home of the Cadillac CTS family and STS - was awarded the study’s Bronze Plant Award in the North/South America region, and was the only U.S. plant to be recognized in the study.

Vehicle segment wins for the Chevrolet, GMC and Cadillac models support the quality improvement trend seen in internal evaluations, which show that, since 2007, GM has reduced warranty repairs by 45 percent per vehicle in North America.

GM trucks swept the top three spots in the large crossover/SUV category with the Chevrolet Tahoe leading the way, followed by the Chevrolet Suburban and GMC Yukon/XL. The Chevrolet Avalanche was the top-ranked large pickup for initial quality, tied with the GMC Sierra. GM also took the top spot in the large premium crossover/SUV segment (Cadillac Escalade) and ranked in the top three in the midsize car (Chevrolet Malibu), entry premium car (Cadillac CTS), and large car (Buick Lucerne) segments.

“Delivering top-quality vehicles for our customers is our overriding priority,” said Dan Nicholson, GM vice president of Global Quality. “Our entire team is committed to improving our vehicles, and we never lose sight of the fact that the competition is also moving fast.”

The 2010 IQS is based on responses from more than 82,000 purchasers and lessees of new 2010 model-year vehicles surveyed after 90 days of ownership. The study is based on a 228-question survey designed to provide manufacturers with information to quickly identify design-related problems, defects and malfunctions.