GM Sweeps Top 3 Plants for Initial Quality in North America
FOR RELEASE: May 30, 2002May 30, 2002
General Motors is Best-Performing Domestic Automaker in J.D. Power and Associates 2002 Initial Quality StudySM
- Oshawa 2, Ontario, Car Plant Leads GM Sweep of Top 3 Plants for Initial Quality in North America
- Chevrolet Malibu, Buick Century, Chevrolet Corvette, Buick LeSabre Take Top Honors in Initial Quality Study
- Eight Other Vehicles Finish Second or Third in Their Segments
DETROIT General Motors Corp. announced today it was recognized as the best-performing domestic manufacturer in initial quality by J.D. Power and Associates.
GM had 12 top-three performing vehicles, including four that were ranked highest in their segments, and three GM assembly plants were named best in initial quality for North America, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2002 Initial Quality StudySM.
"This is wonderful news for everyone who works at GM," said Gary L. Cowger, president of GM North America. "We’re very pleased with our quality improvements in the last year, which is reflected in the performance of our vehicles and plants that earned awards."
The J.D. Power and Associates study measures the number of problems consumers experience during the first 90 days of vehicle ownership. The study results also are used by consumers when making a decision on what make and model of vehicle to purchase.
GM dominated North America in plant quality, with the Oshawa 2, Ontario, car plant (Buick Century and Regal) placing first and the Bowling Green, Ky. (Chevrolet Corvette) car plant placing second in the annual study. The Lansing C, Mich., (Pontiac Grand Am, Oldsmobile Alero) car plant tied for third with the New United Manufacturing Motors Inc. (NUMMI) plant (Chevrolet Prizm) in Fremont, Calif. NUMMI is a joint venture between GM and Toyota. In the latest study, GM had 12 vehicles in the top three of their respective segments.
- Segment awards include the Chevrolet Malibu for entry midsize car, Buick Century for premium midsize car, Chevrolet Corvette for premium sports car and Buick LeSabre for fullsize car.
- Second-place finishers include the Oldsmobile Alero for entry midsize car, Chevrolet Monte Carlo for premium midsize car, Chevrolet S10 pickup for compact pickup (tie), Chevrolet Silverado LD for fullsize pickup and the Chevrolet Tahoe for fullsize SUV.
- Third-place finishers include the Chevrolet Prizm for compact car, Pontiac Grand Am entry midsize car and Pontiac Bonneville for fullsize car (tie).
According to J.D. Power, GM outpaced all domestic manufacturers with a 30 percent initial quality improvement over the last five years.
During that same period, GM also boasted the top three performers in improvement in initial quality in the industry. The Chevrolet Malibu made the biggest gain by improving 58 percent in the last five years. The Buick Century and Chevrolet Corvette were among three vehicles tied for second with a 49 percent improvement during that period.
"Our improvement in the J.D. Power and Associates study reflects the company-wide focus on becoming the quality leader in the automotive industry," said Kent Sears, vice president of quality for GM North America. "Quality leadership is not a short-term goal, but a long-term commitment."
The drive for quality leadership is spurred by GM’s Quality as a Value strategy and the UAW-GM Quality Network. Quality as a Value focuses on eight systemic issues: Perceived Quality, Bill of Material, Complexity Reduction, Design for Six Sigma, Engineering Change Management, Supplier Selection and Improvement, Global Manufacturing System and Red X Strategies.
"By making quality a top priority, from vehicle development to final assembly, we are able to produce and sell vehicles that will excite customers for years to come," Sears said.
Building customer enthusiasm and satisfaction has been the foundation of the UAW-GM Quality Network since it was chartered in 1987. The Quality Network brings together UAW members and salaried GM employees to improve work processes, products and services.
"The Quality Network is a great example of why quality is a team sport at GM," Cowger said. "Together with the UAW, we have been able to find ways to build higher quality vehicles safely and more efficiently. The result is greater customer satisfaction and enthusiasm."
"UAW members play a pivotal role in making quality improvements through their individual efforts and their active participation in the jointly-run Quality Network process," said UAW Vice President Richard Shoemaker. Shoemaker directs the UAW General Motors Department.
Added Cowger, "In addition to the UAW, employees represented by the CAW and the IUE-CWA deserve praise for the contributions they have made to GM’s resurgence in the marketplace, both in market share and in quality leadership."
About General Motors
General Motors , the world's largest vehicle manufacturer, designs, builds and markets cars and trucks worldwide. In 2001, GM earned $1.5 billion on sales of $177.3 billion, excluding special items. It employs about 362,000 people globally. More information on General Motors can be found at www.gm.com.