*’Automakers continue to launch vehicles that are more and more technologically complex in an era in which there have been many shortages of critical components to support them,’ says J.D. Power

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

As the global community continues to combat the disruptive Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, automobile experts have expressed concern that it is frustrating enough that new cars are more expensive and harder to find these days.

绿帽献妻 gathered a fresh J.D. Power report has suggested that quality of new cars has slipped during the pandemic.

J.D. Power鈥檚 2022 United States (US) Initial Quality Study discovered the quality of new cars fell because of the disruptions to the industry caused by the damaging virus.

The company is an American consumer research, data, and analytics firm based in Troy, Michigan, and it was founded in 1968 by James David Power III.

Likewise, global supply chain issues, record-high vehicle prices, and personnel dislocations contributed to vehicle problems reaching a record high in the 36-year history of the study, agency report said.

Measured against the 2021 survey, the auto industry experienced an 11percent increase in problems per 100 vehicles (PP100), which is 18 PP100 worse than last year.

David Amodeo, Director of Global Automotive at J.D. Power, said: 鈥淕iven the many challenges automakers and their dealers had to face in the past year, it鈥檚 somewhat surprising that initial quality didn鈥檛 fall even more dramatically.鈥�

A reversal of quality improvement

Amodeo also noted that the current automobile industry study results stand in sharp contrast to the steady improvement throughout the history of this study, but may be understandable, considering the headwinds facing the sector as of now.

He further stated: 鈥淎utomakers continue to launch vehicles that are more and more technologically complex in an era in which there have been many shortages of critical components to support them.”

According to the survey, General Motors (GM) vehicles moved to the head of the class in the 2022 survey.

Buick’s quality improved 17 PP100 year over year, vaulting it from 12th place in 2021 to the highest overall ranking in 2022.

Chevrolet, however, ranked third, behind Dodge.

David, of Kansas City, Kansas, United States, recently remarked that he is happy with his Chevy Equinox.

David wrote in a ConsumerAffairs review: 鈥淢y experience driving the car was awesome,.

鈥淭he car met every expectation.

“I would recommend the Equinox for a family just starting out or who has two kids. Great road trip car. Very smooth ride.鈥�

Issues with technology

J.D. Power Report as well noted the mass-market brands seemed to have fewer issues among 2022 models than luxury brands.

The organisation said perhaps the development was due to the increased amount of technology in higher-priced vehicles.

Vehicle infotainment systems provided the largest source of problems with an average of 45.0 PP100,聽 19.5 PP100 more problems than the next-highest category, the survey report聽 noted.

Six of the top 10 problem areas in the study are infotainment-related, including Android Auto/Apple CarPlay connectivity,聽 built-in voice recognition, difficulties with touch screens/display screens, built-in Bluetooth systems, not enough power plugs/USB ports, and inconsistent audio volume.

Overall, just nine of 33 ranked brands improved in vehicle quality year over year, added the report.