J.D. Power and Associates to Release 2006 Vehicle Dependability Study Results Aug. 9

J.D. Power and Associates Will Announce the Results of the 2006 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) at 1 p.m. EDT Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2006.

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The study, which measures problems experienced by original owners of three-year-old (2003 model-year) cars and light trucks, provides useful information to both consumers and the automotive industry on long-term vehicle quality. For consumers, the VDS offers insight into the reliability and dependability of brands and specific models as they approach the end of a typical warranty period. Manufacturers use this information to track the quality performance of their models over time to implement product improvement plans. The study results include the three highest-ranked vehicles in each of the car and light-truck segments, and full nameplate rankings. The results will be posted at 1 p.m. EDT at www.jdpower.com/corporate/ .

The VDS is one of three J.D. Power and Associates quality metrics, along with the Initial Quality Study (IQS), which measures problems experienced during the first 90 days of ownership, and the Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, which measures customer perceptions on the design, content, layout and performance of their new vehicles. The results of the 2006 IQS and the 2006 APEAL Study were released in June.

Automotive analysts will be available for interviews regarding the 2006 Vehicle Dependability Study after 1 p.m. EDT Wednesday, Aug. 9. To schedule an interview, contact:

  John Tews                           Syvetril Perryman
  Troy, Mich.                         Westlake Village, Calif.
  (248) 312-4119                      (805) 418-8103
  john.tews@jdpa.com                  syvetril.perryman@jdpa.com

  About J.D. Power and Associates

Headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., J.D. Power and Associates is an ISO 9001-registered global marketing information services firm operating in key business sectors including market research, forecasting, consulting, training and customer satisfaction. The firm's quality and satisfaction measurements are based on responses from millions of consumers annually. J.D. Power and Associates is a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies.

About The McGraw-Hill Companies

Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies is a leading global information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial services, education and business information markets through leading brands such as Standard & Poor's, McGraw-Hill Education, BusinessWeek and J.D. Power and Associates. The Corporation has more than 290 offices in 38 countries. Sales in 2005 were $6.0 billion. Additional information is available at http://www.mcgraw-hill.com/ .

PRNewswire -- Aug. 3

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