FOUNTAIN VALLEY, California -- Hyundai improved dramatically in the 2005 J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) with an industry-leading reduction in problems reported by owners. Problems per 100 Hyundai vehicles declined by 115, or 31 percent, and Hyundai moved up 12 places in the nameplate rankings.
"Hyundai has dedicated itself to quality over the past several years, and the Vehicle Dependability Study ranking demonstrates the strides that we've made," said Bob Cosmai, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America. "We understand that quality is the number-one priority for consumers, and we've responded with constantly improving initial quality rankings, and now dramatic improvements in long-term dependability."
The Hyundai Sonata was also recognized by J.D. Power and Associates as one of the top three vehicles in dependability in the Entry Mid-Size Car category. The Sonata earned top honors in the 2004 J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study (IQS), ranking highest in its segment. Sonata's success in both the IQS and VDS over the past two years illustrates the correlation between short- and long-term quality.
The VDS study measures problem symptoms of three-year-old vehicles, primarily in categories such as ride, handling and breaking, features and controls, engine, transmission and vehicle exterior. The VDS in one of three J.D. Power and Associates quality metrics, along with the Initial Quality Study (IQS), which measures quality after 90 days of ownership, and the Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, which measures customer perceptions on the design, content, layout and performance of their new vehicles.
Hyundai improved its position in the 2005 J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study released in April with the third-highest non-luxury brand ranking in the industry -- up from fourth in 2004. Significantly, Hyundai's all-new compact SUV, the 2005 Tucson, scored impressively in its first year of production, receiving praise from J.D. Power and Associates as the highest quality all-new model launched in the industry in 2005.
