Very High Poitive Rating for XC from JD Power

[John@CdnRockies]

JD Power just released their latest quality ratings for new vehicles. This year, the analysis was amended to incorporate interior design quality. The results placed our XC-70's as number 2 in the Midsize Premium SUV category [thumbup] (ahead of the Lexus RX330). Don't know if I would consider the XC as an SUV but it sure is nice to see our cars rated that highly.

I have always been pleased with the driver friendliness of the interior cabin. In fact, it is coming up for its 2 year buy-out period and I think we will probably buy it to add to the stable.

Here is a link where I spotted the data:
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060608/AUTO01/606080384/1148

John

[NikosXC70]

It is very nice to see the Volvo nameplate appear on the list. Which makes me wonder if it's a mistake, and by that I mean they intended typing XC90. Don't get me wrong I love our XC70's, just wondering though!

Later,

[budrichard]

Personally, I don't believe anything that Powers reports. -Dick

[pico de luuks]

Personally, I don't believe anything that Powers reports. -Dick
:D
What's the beef with JD?

[budrichard]

From the JD Power website:
"Since 1968, J.D. Power and Associates has been conducting quality and customer satisfaction research based on survey responses from millions of consumers worldwide. We represent the voice of the customer by translating survey responses from consumers and businesses into studies and reports that companies worldwide use to improve their business. In fact, J.D. Power and Associates has developed and maintains one of the largest, most comprehensive historical customer satisfaction databases in existence, which includes feedback on the shopping, buying, and ownership experiences for a variety of products and services. "

My personal belief is that consumer satisfaction surveys are useless and many times the information collected is not used but companies have learned that if they pretend and gather infromation it makes the customer feel good. I refuse to answer any of these surveys unless I am sent the results. Not one survey has agreed to send me the results. I personally think the majority end up in the trash can.
Consumer satisfaction and real problems are generally two different things. Few consumers posses the background to make informed decisions about most products. That's what keeps GM selling cars and Bud selling beer.
The ONLY group that has done a fair job in rating things is Consumer Reports and thier expertise is sometimes lacking. -Dick