Cayenne responsible for putting Porsche on the bottom

[..P]

of the JD Power Initial Quality Survey.




Don't take my word for it, see for yourself







In the writeup, the Cayenne is "called out" as "the reason" for the drop in Porsche's rating. Sad, but true. History may show the Cayenne as the reason Porsche eventually fell under Ford Motor Company ownership.





J. D. Power: Initial Quality All-Time High
2004 J.D. Power survey: pleasant surprises — and unexpected disappointments.
by Paul A. Eisenstein (2004-05-03)

New car quality has hit an all-time high, with all but a handful of manufacturers making significant gains in the 2004 J.D. Power Initial Quality Survey.

The oft-quoted annual report, released today, delivers some unexpected surprises, showing how difficult it's become for any carmaker to dominate the quality charts anymore. Undoubtedly the biggest shocker comes from Korea. Long the industry laggard, Hyundai has soared past the traditional quality leader, Toyota. And even the Japanese automaker's premium brand is now getting some stiff competition - from Buick.

For 2004, Power's IQS reveals an 11-percent reduction in the number of problems the typical U.S. new car owner reported when compared to the 2003 survey. That is a positive development, especially as the quality numbers showed no gains in the previous two years.
"This is one of the more significant improvements we've seen," noted Power senior analyst Brian Walters.
What went wrong, Japan?

The IQS is a measure of what can be called "things gone wrong." That can include major problems, such as a blown engine, as well as more minor matters, including poorly placed cupholders. The survey counts up the number of problems participating owners experienced during the first 90 days of ownership, grouping them into nine separate categories. The final figure is calculated in terms of problems per 100 vehicles, or PP100s. Like golf, this contest goes to the lowest score.

And over the decades, the Japanese have consistently delivered industry-leading quality. This year, their products had a score of 111 PP100s, compared with 119 for the industry as a whole. Among individual manufacturers, Lexus was the brand to beat, with a score of 87, meaning less than one problem per vehicle.
Yet the Japanese do not dominate like they have in the past. Some key manufacturers tumbled. Nissan slipped 11 percent, driving it down to the lower tier of the 36 manufacturers Power ranked. Then there's Toyota, the company that first taught the industry the concept of initial quality. In the 2003 survey, the flagship Toyota brand actually suffered a seven-percent decline. It recovers in 2004, its initial quality gaining 14 percent, to 104 problems per 100 vehicles.

Hyundai stuns, Europe falls
But Toyota's gains weren't enough to overcome the most stunning come-from-behind performance of the year. With what Walters called a "surprising" 29-percent improvement, Hyundai sees its problem count drop to 102.

Until recently, Korean makers have anchored the IQS and other quality surveys. In 1998, when Power redesigned the Initial Quality Survey, they had a score of 272, nearly double the problems of the Japanese, at 156. This year, they surge to second place, with a group score of 117 PP100s, comfortably ahead of both Europeans and American automakers.
That underscores just how rapidly things are changing. In 1998, the Europeans, as a group, edged out the Japanese, led by luxury industry stalwarts Mercedes-Benz and BMW. Mercedes has had a number of serious quality problems in recent years, though it does show signs of a turnaround in the 2004 IQS, its score improving 20 percent.

Luxury makers regularly outscore mainstream brands, as one might expect. With a score of 87 this year, Lexus has again proven the brand to beat on the IQS, but several of its competitors are edging closer. Cadillac delivers a count of 93 problems per 100. And with several specific products, another General Motors division nudges even closer to Lexus territory. The Buick Century, which Walters described as "one of the best models in the industry," comes in with 63 PP100.

Individual products can make - or break - a manufacturer's overall score, as Porsche painfully discovered. Its 911 is the top-quality nameplate in the Premium Sports Car category, but overall, Porsche experiences a 36-percent decline, to 159 PP100s, due to the troubled debut of its Cayenne SUV.
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[Isabo]

Didn't the 928 also rate very poorly?

[Moneyguy1]

For good reason..Beautiful car, too many bits to go wrong.

[cpierce369]

The newest JD Power magazine rates Porsche third behind Toyota and Honda in overall quality. This includes Acura and Lexus in the parent company's ratings, but even broken out by brand Porsche is far above average and the best European car company.

[pwd72s]

Bottom line? Those who pay a premiun for perceived "quality" by shopping brand name don't repeat the process once they feel they have been burned. Porsche sold it's soul for a temporary improvement in the bottom line. That's what happens when you place a bean counter in the CEO position. Porsche is not the first, nor will it be the last firm that this has happened to.

[markwemple]

Being based on, or along side, the Toureg, it has many of the same problems. But as an SUV with less off road ability and for twice the $, it should be much better. For looks alone, I can't imagine choosing it over the Toureg. Porsche has now entered into the ugliest car competition with General Motors and BMW.

[MRM]

The end is truely near. Cadillac and Jaguar are sandwiched between Lexus and Honda at numbers two and three. What's going to happen next? The Bosox defend their title against the Cubs?

[ryker77]

I find some faults in that report.

Audi ranks good but VW is bad. they are the same. The Cayanne is based on a VW chassis.

[coolbeverage]

Just b/c the Cayanne is based on a VW chassis doesn't really mean anything. These scores factor in fit and finish and very minor problems so whatever chassis is under the car whoose power windows go out isn't really going to matter. I think we all knew the Cayanne was a poor move. Whoever on this list said "putting a bean counter as CEO" is the bigger error is spot on! When Porsche jumped into this damn SUV market it just went agaisnt everything that made me so found of Porsche. I JUST DONT UNDERSTAND THE NEED TO APPEAL TO EVERYONE....Many present and past companies have carved out there niche market and lived in it just fine. Plus I hate hearing all the goof-balls who know nothing about Porsche or Porsche history rambling on about their new Cayanne...and I do have to admit I see allot of them on the road. Way more than I expected.

[PorscheGuy79]

I hate that too but if making an SUV that will keep the company alive and making sports cars, more power to them. I would rather have them do that than become part of Ford.

[markwemple]

Even though sales for it are good now, I think the diluting it does to their overall image and the original expense for development and tooling will make them shakier overall financially. They were healthy enough without it. Also, the Toureg is just a better execution price excluded. Much better if you factor in the price, IMO.

[adscab]

Do you own either? Have you had an extended test drive of both? The Cayenne is the best peformance SUV on the market. It is smooth, fast, quiet, very offroad capable and looks good (family resemblance) in my opinion.

I've had a couple of minor things here and there with my 04 S, but it is still an awesome vehicle.

[markwemple]

Own, no. Extended ride/drive, yes. I would not consider either to be true off-roaders (land rover man here). But IMO (and I off-road) the Toureg is definitely better.

I am one of those people who believes that SUV buyers who don't off-road should buy a wagon. Or, why bother!!

Anyway, the looks thing is sheer opinion, and mine is that it is quite lacking in appearance. It only bests the current BMW line and some of the GM stuff.

[coolbeverage]

Can someone please explain to me the marriage of a Porsche and a SUV? I have never understood this concept at all. It just seems to me like asking Porsche to make a SUV is like asking Rolex to make a replacement for London's Big Ben. Yes a SUV is a automobile....yes Big Ben tells time...but come on neither company would be doing what their company does best. Many people are aware of the distant relationship between Porsche and VW but do we really want to be reminded of it today. The Tourege is running around in the same skin as the Cayenne. Do you know how many laypeople confuse the two? I have ridden in a Cayenne S and yes it is a optimal performing vehicle but come on who is climbing Pikes Peak here in their SUV. 99% of them are grocery getters and soccer ball transports. The SUV backlash in America is absolutely inevitable. Leave SUVs to GM, Ford, and other domestics b/c lets be honest it is the only thing that keeps them in business. We all know about the past vehicles Porsche produced strictly with the US market in mind and those cars have done nothing but lower the companies overall image.

[PorscheGuy79]

Coolbeverage that was well put.

There is a very good reason I think why companies produce SUVs, money. Did you know that an average manufacturer makes about $1,000 profit on a car (depending on the car) after eveything is said and done. With SUVs of the same price, manufactueres stand to make $5,000 to $7,000 per vechile. Having mostly to do with the fact that SUVs are cheap to make and usually based on old technology.

[coolbeverage]

PorscheGuy79 this is definitley true. I think Chrysler holds the record. That Jeep Grand Cherokee saved their asses. Supposedly they made $8 grand profit off of each one sold and for awhile there it was the best selling SUV which is saying allot when talking about SUVs. I heard the whole spiel from Porsche just before their SUV came out....it will raise profit letting more money to be spent on race efforts, R & D, etc.... If this is true....GO PORSCHE SUV GO............ Sell that thing to as many soccer moms as you can.

[markwemple]

Porsche guy makes a good point that I will enhance. The "big 4" have trucks to base many of their SUVs on and Jeep and Land Rover have been in this game since its inception (in fact you can blame either for it). VW, atleast, has been in the truck game since the early 50s and even earlier if you consider the kubelwagen to be a truck. Porsceh makes wonderful sportcars and if they need a "new" direction, why not build a purist's car. You know, get rid of ALL! the bs luxo stuff and place a true RS back on US shores for a price that many can deal with. "Til then many of the faithfull will keep their eyes on the 356 and pre '90 911.

[coolbeverage]

Maybe Porsche should make a pickup truck next. I mean pickups are one in every 3 vehichles on the road????? The Porsche Pick Up?????? That is just my point....where does it end. Cady is making a pick up, Lincoln is too, is Porsche next???

[markwemple]

Imagine the Cayenne w/o the back lights, ouch! That would almost beat the Aztek as ugliest car ever. One question, as trucks still use a full frame, would Porsche use tubular steel, box steel or something exotic?? Hmm............

[coolbeverage]

Too bad VW doesnt already make a pickup they could just throw a Porsche engine in it and call it theirs that is what they did with their SUV. I am not bad-mouthing VW my wife has a GTI and I love it. I am just seriously opposed to Porsche becoming the all purpose car company. I started out kidding about this pickup thing but the more I think about it the more I can actaully see if happening. I hope they put those amber lights on the cad in a V pattern with a stock gun rack and exhaust that runs up the sides of the cab........