Editor’s Notebook: Imports Top Vehicle Quality List

Editor’s Notebook: Imports Top Vehicle Quality List

Increased Popularity Means More Maintenance Opportunities

Your customers rely on you to repair their imports with great precision and accuracy, within a compressed timeframe (usually the same day!), and provide lasting repairs that both boost vehicle performance and ensure many miles of safe driving.

Beyond being their vehicle service provider, customers often rely on you to give them new vehicle recommendations — either for them or other family members. So, you not only need to stay on top of the features, bells and whistles and new technology on late-model vehicles, but it’s also important for you to know which vehicles are no longer going to be produced.

The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) recently issued a list of 10 vehicles for which 2006 will be the last model year they are produced. Five of them are imports.

Volkswagen Phaeton — Costly; $66,700 for the V8 and $96,600 for the V12. Only 3,300 have been sold in the U.S., since its introduction in 2003.

Porsche GT — $440,000 (that says it right there!); only 1,270 were sold in the 2.5 years it was produced. Production ended in May.

Acura RSX — Low-priced Integra replacement; sales were on the decline since its introduction in 2002.

Mazda MPV — Being replaced by the 2007 Mazda CX-7 and CX-9 crossover SUVs.

Honda Insight — Slow sales; only 55 per month, compared to 9,000 per month for the Toyota Prius. Now the good news. Import models took six of the top 10 spots in a new J.D. Power and Associates vehicle quality study. The Initial Quality Study ratings include two major components — defects that likely required a repair; and design problems such as controls or features that were confusing or hard to use. It was based on 64,000 responses from new car buyers who had their vehicles for 90 days and completed a lengthy questionnaire. Topping the list for the least amount of problems per 100 vehicles were Porsche, Lexus, Hyundai, Toyota, Jaguar and Honda.

So what does this mean to you? Top-ranking vehicles are typically big sellers, which means that there will be more on the road, and more that may find their way to your shop. Even though these vehicles didn’t have quality-related issues that would need to be repaired, they still need preventive maintenance and regular vehicle care. Especially if these discerning customers want their new purchases to retain their top-notch status. Something you are very well trained to do.

You May Also Like

Dorman Launches 250 New Parts in April

An OE FIX IMRC assembly and OE FIX engine coolant reservoir hose are among the many new products released by Dorman this month.

Dorman Products, Inc. announced the release of 250 new motor vehicle parts in the month of April.

This month’s new releases include:

Intake manifold runner control (IMRC) motor and arm (911-929) designed to fit more than half a million 2018-2020 Chevrolet Cruze and Sonic cars on the road today. The new Dorman OE FIX IMRC assembly with upgraded tuning arm “saves money and repair time by allowing the replacement of just the motor assembly. The improved tuning arm design is made of brass to help provide increased service life and reduce future related repair costs,” according to Dorman.

Autoshop Solutions Partners with BlueRecruit

The two are working together to help bring exceptional technicians, mechanics, and service writers to Autoshop customers’ garages.

Bosch Releases 52 Aftermarket Parts in Q1

The new Bosch products includes three braking parts, 16 fuel and water pumps, two ignition coils, 30 sensors and one fuel injector.

BCA Bearings Announces 2023 Summer Cruisin’ Promotion

The Summer Cruisin’ promotion runs from April 1 through June 15, 2023.

Standard Motor Products’ ABS Sensors Line Expands

Standard offers more than 2,600 ABS Sensors fitting import and domestic vehicle

Other Posts

As Cars Keep Aging, What Will The Future Look Like?

The big issue for the next 22 years is how sensors and software that make driving safer impact vehicle serviceability.

Being More Motivated

Set and reach your goals together.

Where Were You 22 Years Ago?

A lot can change in 22 years.

Being More Motivated

Set and reach your goals together.