The study measures over 200 new vehicle problem symptoms in the the first 2-6 months of ownership across 8 vehicle categories: engine and transmission; vehicle exterior; driving experience; HVAC; features, controls and displays; vehicle interior; seats; and audio, entertainment and navigation.
Problems are listed as number of problems per 100 vehicles (PP100). Lower score indicates lower rate of problem incidence and higher initial quality. Diesel vehicle sales in India has increased by 16% in 2014 over 2010. Initial quality has improved as problems reported reduced to 96 PP100 in 2014 from 148 PP100 in 2010.
Median kilometres driven by diesel car owners in India has decreased by 22% in 2014 since 2010 resulting in 24 PP100 decrease in usage-related problem symptoms like doors are hard to open or door handle is broken/not working (24 PP100 in 2014 vs. 48 PP100 in 2010).
Indian auto industry has marked an improvement in quality of diesel vehicles, especially on core vehicle systems. Basic development of public transportation in India, and increase in carpooling activity has resulted in owners driving fewer kilometres, thereby reducing number of overall problems with diesel vehicles. Initial quality in India averages 100 PP100 in 2014 down from 115 PP100 in 2013. Fewer problems are reported across all 8 vehicle categories, with reduction of 5 PP100 in engine and transmission.
Problems reported among new-vehicle owners who receive an explanation of their vehicle’s operation features when buying is 94 PP100, lower than 183 PP100 among those who do not receive an explanation. Of those who experienced fewer problems, 79% indicate they intend to retain their current vehicles for 5 years or longer.
58% of owners who have experienced more problems than expected intend to keep it for 5 years or longer. Those who experience fewer problems than expected are nearly twice as likely to recommend their car to family and friends. New-vehicle owners are okay with 2-3 kilometres per liter (KMPL) variance from what their dealer communicated but if the variation exceeds, they tend to indicate a fuel consumption problem.
Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 ranks highest in entry compact segment, and Maruti Suzuki Swift ranks highest in premium compact segment. Hyundai i10 ranks highest in compact segment, and Xcent ranks highest in entry midsize segment. Honda Brio ranks highest in the upper compact segment, Ford Ecosport ranks highest in SUV segment, Skoda Rapid ranks highest in the midsize segment, and Toyota Innova ranks highest in the MUV/ MPV segment. J.D. Power 2014 India Initial Quality Study is based on evaluations from 8,429 vehicle owners who purchased a new vehicle between November 2013 and July 2014 covering 73 vehicle models from 17 makers, and was fielded from May 2014 to September 2014 in 30 cities across India.
