J.D. Power and Associates’ Initial Quality Study is being reformulated, the Detroit Free Press reports. The new study, to be released June 7, will focus more on high-tech items such as rear-view cameras, audio and video systems and cell phone devices.

The study will analyze design flaws, not just quality problems. Consumers told J.D. Power in a survey that many problems with new vehicles were not addressed in the study. The company upped the number of questions from 135 to 217.

It is unclear how the changes in the study will affect automakers, as there are so many variables. But it does establish a new baseline, the Free Press reports. However, results could affect industry salaries, as quality scores determine bonuses at some companies, said Joe Ivers, executive director of quality and customer satisfaction with J.D. Power.

0 Comments