• by Karl Greenberg , June 7, 2007

Most improved is this week's theme in quality surveys by automotive market research firms. Earlier this week, San Diego-based Strategic Vision lauded Hyundai and Kia in its Total Quality Index. Now, J.D. Power & Associates' Initial Quality Study (IQS) analysis of new-vehicle quality follows suit, giving Ford the nod.

Strategic Vision gave Hyundai/Kia top ranking in five vehicle categories for things such as attention to detail, fit and finish, design, and relative lack of problems. J.D. Power's 2007 IQS, which measures vehicle-design problems, and quality of production--defects and malfunctions--after 90 days of ownership, tapped Ford for five model segment awards. The consultancy says that's more than any other automobile maker.

The firm also gave Mercedes several top honors, reflecting the recovery that brand has made since quality at the Stuttgart, Germany-based automaker slipped after Daimler-Benz merged with Chrysler Group in the late 1990s. Overall, per the firm, Mercedes-Benz improved nameplate rank by 20 positions--the greatest rank increase of any nameplate in the study.

Ford Motor Company won for Mustang, Lincoln Mark LT, Lincoln MKZ, Mazda MX-5 Miata and Mercury Milan. The research firm also ranked 14 Ford Motor Company models in the top three of their respective segments, giving the company more vehicles in the top three than any other automaker. Ford's Lincoln division, which won two segment awards, improved to overall rank of third this year, versus 12th place in 2006.

Toyota's 4Runner, Sequoia and Tacoma won in their respective truck and SUV categories. Mercedes-Benz' E-Class, SL-Class and the S-Class also took top honors in luxury car segments. The S-Class tied with competitor Audi A8 for having the fewest problems in the industry.

In terms of overall brand rankings versus rankings by specific vehicle segments, Porsche took top honors for the second year. Second place went to Lexus, with Ford's Lincoln in third, then Honda and Mercedes-Benz. Honda had the fewest problems among non-premium brands, improving from sixth place in the study last year and garnering segment awards for Civic and its CR-V compact.

Among non-premium brands, Kia posts the largest improvement in ranking, moving from 24th in 2006 to 12th in 2007 and earning an award for the Kia Rio/Rio5 for the second year in a row.

The most improved nameplates in the study are Land Rover, Saab and Mercedes-Benz.

The Westlake Village, Calif. company notes that the industry has improved 120% over the last 20 years and reduced problem counts by 50% every seven to eight years.