From left: Frank Ferrara, executive vice president, customer satisfaction, Hyundai; Deirdre Borrego, vice president, general manager, US Automotive division, J.D. Power; Mircea Gradu, executive director, engineering and quality, Hyundai
HYUNDAI has reaffirmed its position as one of the world's leading automotive manufacturers thanks to prestigious awards from international awards body J.D. Power. As part of the company's 2015 Initial Quality Study which surveyed 84,000 customers, the Hyundai Tucson and Accent have been reported fewer problems with their vehicles than any other small SUV or small car, respectively. Overall Hyundai ranked fourth among all brands in the J.D. Power 2015 US Initial Quality Study SM (IQS) and second among non-premium automakers, putting the Korean brand ahead of its Japanese counterparts. “Nothing motivates us more than receiving the verification of quality from our customers,” said Jin (James) Kim, Vice President and Head of operations in Africa and the Middle East. “The overall ownership experience of the people who buy our cars is based on our modern premium brand direction which provides vehicles with innovative technologies, while ensuring highest levels of initial and long-term quality and services they can rely on.” IQS, now in its 29th year, serves as the industry benchmark for new-vehicle quality measured at 90 days of ownership. In total, Hyundai had four models ranking in the top two in their segments, including segment awards for Tucson and Accent, and second-place finishes for Elantra and Santa Fe. The Hyundai overall score was 95 problems per 100 vehicles, 17 problems fewer than the industry average. The 2015 Hyundai Tucson was awarded for the highest initial quality in the small SUV segment and the 2015 Hyundai Accent earned the highest honour in the small-car segment for the second year in a row. “SUV sales accounted for 21.9 percent of our total sales during 2014 (74,419 units) therefore the international recognition from our customers is invaluable and something we are incredibly proud to have achieved,” added Kim. “It is also worth noting that the Accent was our second bestselling model last as it recorded a boost of 9 percent totaling 79,013 units sold, so it is great to see that our key models are receiving this type of recognition.” This year's results mark the fourth time Hyundai has finished among the top four brands overall. The 2015 IQS is based on responses from more than 84,000 purchasers and lessees of new 2015 model-year vehicles surveyed after 90 days of ownership. The study is based on a 233-question survey designed to provide manufacturers with information to facilitate the identification of problems and drive product improvement. Established in 1967, Hyundai Motor Company is committed to becoming a lifetime partner in automobiles and beyond. Hyundai Motor has eight manufacturing bases and seven design & technical centers worldwide and in 2014, sold 4.96 million vehicles globally. — SG
