attgig

http://money.cnn.com/2005/03/04/pf/a...ex.htm?cnn=yes

DETROIT, March 4 (Reuters) - Japanese automobiles are the true kings of the road, judging by the latest annual "Best Cars" issue of Consumer Reports magazine, which hits newsstands next week.

All but one of the vehicles in the magazine's list of "top picks" in 10 different categories for 2005 are Japanese. The exception is Ford's small-sized Focus sedan.

Japanese vehicles also score a clean sweep on a list of 21 vehicles that Consumer Reports says it can recommend because they earned "very good" or "excellent" scores in all five major ratings areas it tested.

The recommendations are important since the spring auto issue from Consumer Reports, which accepts no paid advertising or free samples of the products its reviews, has long been seen as a trusted shopping guide by many U.S. car buyers.

Anything that could accelerate the rate of defection away from Detroit's mass market automakers is clearly bad news for the likes of General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co. as they continue to lose market share to fast-growing foreign rivals.

The Big Three can take solace, however, from a Consumer Reports survey showing for the second consecutive year that the average domestic car is more reliable than its average European counterpart.

That trend, which gives Detroit at least some bragging rights, was reported by Consumer Reports for the first time in 24 years in its previous auto issue, in 2004.

Reliability results this year were based on responses from Consumer Report subscribers about a record 810,000 privately owned or leased cars and trucks.

Japanese and Korean automakers once again produced the most trouble-free models, with an overall problem rate of 12 per 100 for the 2004 model year, the same rate they have had for the last three years, Consumer Reports said.

It said GM, Ford and the Chrysler side of DaimlerChrysler AG inched closer to the Asians with an overall problem rate of 17 per 100, however. That matched the industry average and was down from a combined rate of 18 per 100 last year.

By contrast, the problem rate for European automakers rose slightly to 21 per 100 from 20 last year.

"Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, and Volvo had more than their fair share of problems. Only Audi came out better than average," the magazine said.

"The most reliable brand overall is now Subaru, which averages eight problems per 100," Consumer Reports said. It noted that Honda Motor Co. Ltd., long a reliability leader, now averaged nine problems per 100.

The single most reliable vehicle in the 2004 model year was Hyundai Motor Co, Ltd's low-cost Sonata sedan, with a problem rate of just two per 100.

The showing "further establishes Hyundai's remarkable turnaround from one of the least reliable brands to one of the best," Consumer Reports said of the Korean automaker.

Ford's Lincoln Navigator sport utility vehicle and Nissan's Quest minivan tied for most unreliable vehicle, it said, with problem rates of 49 per 100. Close behind was the pricey Touareg SUV from Volkswagen AG, which had 48 problems for every 100 vehicles. Top of page

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DJjeff1080

That is too bad about the VW toureg. I have a friend who just bought one. He loves it...hopefully he will be part of the 52/100.

Interesting article. I am glad that the japanese automakers are finally getting some competition. Good Post!!

Eugene

Cool. Go Hyundai! Way to pick up quality control and produce an all around solid car. While I'd rather see a honda up there at #1, it'll be very interesting to see where Hyundai can go with this. The Japanese automakers started off poorly too, so I wonder how long it will take for the two Korean companies to really pick it up and give the Japanese a good run for their money.

brainsmile

maybe because the other 98 people died in a firery death and didn't get to report it

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cheapie

oh great. my freakin' quest sucks. perfect.

i just got a letter from nissan saying that i could bring it to the dealership and have a ton of things changed. the back door makes a horrible noise and doesn't shut right and apparently that's one of the things that they'll fix.

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kimchicowboy

woohoo. go korea. fighting!

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DarkFury

I still ain't buying one.

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sizemic1

Just because a car is reliable doesn't make it fun to drive

Although I got to admit my TL is fun to drive and according to the report, should be reliable

I prefer Car and Drivers take on vehicles over consumer reports.

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bachviet

I don't mind owning the GS430 (previous generation) or the new RL.

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attgig

yeah, car and driver will talk about fun to drive.
consumer reports will talk about reliable.


i wouldn't take one data without the other....

however, this really makes me think if i ever buy a new car again, or in the market for say....a 2004 sedan, i'd at LEAST step into a hyundai dealer, or check out a used sonata.

ski

There's a good chance my first car will be a Hyundai, due to price, warranty, and reliability. All that it's missing is flair (which I can get on eBay I kid). It will be interesting to see how the new Sonatas look in the US.

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tupacboy

lol... u forget the "be the reds!"

AlpineJay

The new Sonatas will carry their Lambda 3.3L Engine reportedly producing 243hp. The back end looks a LOT like the current gen Accords, though, which I'm not too crazy about.

Only if Hyundai actually began designing unique cars... I guess that's the next step after reliability.

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attgig

exactly.

they've been copying honda accords since they've come to america. pretty bad.