SOME QUALITY FIGURES

[BlessedByGod]

HIGHER QUALITY WORKMANSHIP
According to the 2003 Initial Quality Study
undertaken by market research firm JD Power
and Associates, vehicles made in Mexico have
fewer defects than those made in the U.S. The
study has been conducted annually for the past
17 years and provides an important benchmark
for the automotive sector. The IQ (Initial Quality)
of vehicles made in Mexico for export to the U.S.
has improved by 35% during the past 5 years,
considerably more than the 19% improvement
recorded for U.S. automakers over the same
period. According to the study, vehicles made in
the U.S. last year registered an average IQ of
138 problems for every 100 vehicles
manufactured, compared with 135 problems per
100 vehicles in Mexico. Among the top plants in
the study were the General Motors plant in Silao,
where the Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet
Avalanche, Suburban and GMC Yukon XL are
made (IQ: 121), the Daimler Chrysler plant in
Saltillo, in Coahuila, where Dodge Ram
Heavy-Duty pick-up trucks are manufactured (IQ:
127), and the plant producing the Chrysler PT
cruiser in Toluca, in the state of Mexico, (IQ:
131). The study is based on interviews with more
than 52,000 people conducted 90 days after they
took possession of their vehicles.

-THE REV

 

[GMJones]

That may be so but I still feel I compromised my principles by buying a vehicle manufactured outside the United States. While lusting for an Av from the start, I could resist until they came out with that Dark Gray Metallic paint. One look and I was doomed. But when it's all said and done, if it looks like GM, drives like GM, and moves out like GM, then it must be GM.

 

[dhrivnak]

Statistically I doubt you can say there is any difference in the quality ratings. 138 is very close to 135. A closer look at the number reveals that Mexico was wors in quality than the USA and now it is equal or may have a SLIGHT edge. Now if they do have an edge how much is it due to new plants and equipment? My guess this is the bigger factor not hte quality of american workers.

BTW I feel fortunate in that I had NO quality defects.

 

[RedAllison]

What in the hell good is "intial quality" MY 3 year old can make something good enough to be trouble free for a couple, three months. 90 days, what the hell kind of quality indicator benchmark is that? I know GM is'nt the ONLY company that advertises such boosheut statistics either, they ALL do and its a complete snowjob.

Why cant/wont they contact owners on their 6, 12 & 24 month ownership anniversaries? THAT would be more indicative of "initial quality". I dont for one second believe that ANYTHING built in Mexico is anymore of a quality product than those built here domestically. The GM plant in TX builds GREAT vehicles as does the multitude of other plants. Look at the japanese plants here. The vast majority of "Japanese cars" are assembled in the U.S. What does that say about American labor? I'll tell you what it says, it means that when QUALITY engineering and components are given to quality American labor, QUALITY products are the end result. Boy thats rocketscience aint it?

90 days my arse, I've gotten more trouble free use than that from "disposable" contacts.
RA

 

[dichris]

All I can say is this....

I purchased 6 new vehicles from GM, and this AV is the first vehicle deliveried defect free and still defect free..
Not to say that there hasn't been anything to worry about.... I had intermittent issues with the power folding mirrors... not returning to the correct position when going back... Not all the time, and not one side or the other every time.. But enough to be annoying. Problem gone after 10,000 kilometers of driving? But its gone!
A few of the oil levels were low in my opinion. Topped up and never had another issue... The front windows freeze up to quickly... But I know the dealer won't be able to fix them, so I'm not going to let them play with it and F%$K up the AV....
There's a slight squeek in the steering column when you first drive away on these cold days... But I am not will to let the dealer PLAY with my AV to try and fix this problem ( it goes away when the truck is warmed up just a little ).
Dirt in paint. I think I found 8 specs of dirt in the paint on the entire AV. I counted more on the cadillac rear passenger door in the show room.... I've seen toyota's with more!
In a nut shell, I with out a doubt have to say these is the BEST GM vehicle so far.... Just because its built in Mexico doesn't mean its poor quality, and I am proud of the quality workmanship those employee's down there did. Keep up the great job people. Now I would also like to say, that I truly believe GM overall quality of vehicles is improving as well. I do believe the 80's was GM worst years... but they have come around in the 90's and now in the 21st century they are leaping way ahead. That being said, I truly believe the bigger problem with GM quality is the dealers. Yes there are some really good ones out there.... But they are hard to find and usually too far away for most people. I believe if GM got the overall dealership network improved you would see the biggest increase in customer satisfaction ever. Think about it. They are independent contractors who are in business just like GM, to make money. They only make money from GM or you the customer...

If we could afford it right now, we would get rid of the minivan and get another AV...

that's my $0.02

 

[midlifecrisis]

When we talk about initial quality, how much is related to the parts themselves versus the assembly of the vehicle? I have had both fog lights collect moisture. I consider that poor quality of the parts, not the assembly. And GM outsources a whole bunch of their parts.