Ipsos product quality awards 2015 announced
Ipsos has been involved in competitive customer satisfaction surveys for the motor industry in South Africa since 1991. The research is conducted using telephonic interviews with over 30 000 vehicle owners over a 12-month period. The customer’s purchasing and service experiences are measured 10-35 days after delivery, while product quality interviews take place 90 days from purchase.
What has come through from the research, which includes vehicles sold from January to December 2014 by manufacturers and distributors responsible for 83% of the country’s annual sales volume, is that product quality in South Africa continues to improve. It’s interesting to note that BMW, Land Rover/Jaguar, Volvo nor Infinity are included in this survey for varying reasons.
So who are the top performers? Toyota came out tops where its light commercial vehicle (LCV) range is concerned. It received four Gold awards ( including best top hatch with its Auris and best MPV with its Avanza) as well as the Platinum award for best overall LCV brand, Best One Ton Double Cab LCV Brand and Best local plant manufacturing LCVs. Toyota, together with Kia, also won Best volume passenger car brand with a PP100 (problems per 100 vehicles) of 31.
Mercedes-Benz was also one of the front runners winning a Gold award for Best luxury passenger car brand and the E-Class was recognised as the Best Top Executive Model.
The Volkswagen Polo Vivo hatch was the highest ranked entry-level vehicle and the Kia Rio, Honda Jazz and Toyota Yaris led the small hatch category.
Audi A3 and S3 took the top spot for sedan and the Volkswagen Tiguan was rated as the best Small Recreational Vehicle.
The medium sedan Lexus ES received the least complaints!
The most common problems owners experience are noise issues such as squeaks and rattles.
For more information visit the Ipsos website.