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J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study - Lexus Leads Nameplate Rankings for 13 Years in a Row

TORRANCE, Calif., Aug. 9, 2007 -- Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today placed first among all corporations and earned 10 segment awards in the 2007 J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study(SM) (VDS), more than any other manufacturer. The study tracks the number and type of problems owners have with their three-year-old vehicles. Lexus was the top nameplate for the 13th consecutive year with 145 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100). In the study, Lexus received five segment awards, Toyota earned four awards, and Scion received one award in its first year of eligibility.

"There are many studies conducted throughout the year, but VDS remains one of the most significant measures of long-term vehicle quality and reliability. Any studies that don't take into consideration the durability of a vehicle over an extended period of ownership are not true indicators of overall quality and customer satisfaction," said Jim Lentz, TMS executive vice president. "Internal studies show that dependability is consistently the top purchase reason for Toyota, Lexus and Scion buyers, and we will continue to prioritize quality as our product offerings and sales volume increase."

For the 13th-consecutive year, the Lexus LS premium luxury sedan was the top-performing model in the industry. With a score of 94 PP100, it was the third straight year the LS 430 achieved a score less than 100 PP100. The Lexus LX 470, which topped the Large Premium Multi-Activity Vehicle (MAV) segment with a score of 135 PP100, had the fewest PP100 of any light-truck in the study. Other Lexus segment leaders include the GS 300/430 (110 PP100) in the Midsize Premium Car segment, the SC 430 (119 PP100) in the Premium Sporty segment, and the GX 470 (142 PP100) in the Midsize Premium MAV segment. Overall, every Lexus car or luxury utility vehicle either led its segment or finished in the top three.

For 2007, Toyota ranked sixth overall with 178 PP100, an improvement of 1 PP100 from 2006. First-place winners in their segments include the Tundra in the Large Pickup segment with 151 PP100; RAV4 in the Compact MAV segment with 158 PP100; Tacoma in Midsize Pickup with 143 PP100; and Sequoia in the Large MAV segment with 218 PP100.

Scion finished above the industry average and ranked 16th overall with 220 PP100. The Scion xA earned first place in the Subcompact segment with 207 PP100.

J.D. Power's VDS finds long-term durability continues to be an important consumer factor. The number of problems an owner experiences affects their repurchase intent, vehicle recommendation, and impacts their vehicle's retained value.

VDS is the latest of numerous surveys indicating that Toyota and Lexus quality continues to improve.