adminIf you own a Volkswagen Polo Vivo hatch, Lexus ES, Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupé, Toyota Avanza or previous generation Audi Q7, you have a winner. Similarly if you park a Nissan NP200 bakkie, Hardbody petrol or Navara diesel double cab, or a Toyota Hilux petrol or diesel single cab in your garage… But you probably already know that.
Still, it’s good to know that in terms of quality (and reliability) you have made the right choice, as confirmed by the findings of the latest in-depth Ipsos quality study, which includes vehicles sold from January to December 2014, released today.
Over 30 000 samples
The studies were conducted in South Africa using telephonic interviews with over 30 000 vehicle owners over a 12-month period. The customer’s purchasing and service experiences were measured 10-35 days after delivery, while product quality interviews took place 90 days from purchase.
According to Ipsos the surveys are strictly controlled to ensure high levels of scientific validity and reliability. So, for example, a sample that is too small for certain brands or models will not be listed in the rankings.
The best-performing vehicle manufacturers and distributors are rewarded for excellence with three levels of awards (gold, silver and bronze), while discretionary platinum awards are given for consistent excellence.
Some perspective
Participation of the Ipsos product quality study is voluntary, and while it covers manufacturers and distributors responsible for more than 83 percent of the country’s annual sales volume, some notable brands are shining in their absence.
These include BMW (a hint of arrogance, perhaps?), Chrysler and Fiat, Hyundai, Jaguar and Land Rover, as well as all the Indian and Chinese manufacturers. This is important, as their non-participation obviously make the study less representative. It’s also a pity, as BMW’s performance in terms of quality in local manufacturing in particular, could have added some perspective.
Also of interest is the influence of manufacturing origin on the quality ratings of some imported models. This is specifically true of some Indian sourced products, such as the Honda Brio being a notable exception. Also interesting is the fact that locally produced LCV’s are still viewed as of marginally lesser quality than vehicles sourced from overseas. This may be a result of comparing local, mostly bakkie-based product with more sophisticated, vehicle-based imported models.
Top performers
So who are the top performers? Well, Toyota fared particularly well in the latest study, especially with its light commercial vehicle (LCV) range.
After being awarded with four consecutive Gold Awards, Toyota receives Platinum Awards for Best Overall LCV Brand (with a PP100 score of 33), Best One Ton Double Cab LCV Brand (PP100 score of 34) and Best Local Plant Manufacturing LCVs (PP100 score of 31) in the latest results.
Toyota — together with Kia — is also awarded with Gold as the Best Volume Passenger Car Brand with a PP100 score of 31) and — along with Mercedes-Benz — was ranked first as the Best Local Manufacturing Plant for Passenger Cars (PP100 score of 25).
As at last year Mercedes-Benz continued to be a front-runner in product quality. Not only did it receive a Gold Award as the Best Luxury Passenger Car Brand (PP100 score of 26), but after four consecutive Gold Awards, the E-Class was recognised as the Best Top Executive Model (PP100 score of 17) and received a Platinum Award.
The A-Class received a Gold Award as the Most Improved Luxury Passenger Car (PP100 score of 22, compared to 39 in 2014) and ranked alongside Toyota as the Best Local Plant Manufacturing Passenger Cars (PP100 score of 25). — Wheels24
Online Reporter