BMW Dominates J.D. Power and Associates Quality Plant Awards
4 June 1998
BMW Dominates J.D. Power and Associates Quality Plant Awards
WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J., June 4 -- Continuing a long string of
BMW accolades, the latest J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study
(IQS2) found the three plants providing the world's best quality for vehicles
destined to the US market to all be BMW facilities.
BMW was the first European car company to receive the coveted Platinum
Plant Award, with its Dingolfing plant (which builds the 5 and 7 Series
sedans) acknowledged as providing the best quality product in the world of
plants producing vehicles for the US market. The company also swept the
entire European manufacturing category with its Munich and Regensberg plants
(which build the 3 Series and M3 products) tied for the Silver Plant Awards.
Of note, the BMW plants recognized by J.D. Power and Associates for
providing the best quality products in the world will be producing the
company's new 3 Series sport sedan, scheduled to launch in the US late this
summer.
"These J.D. Power and Associates awards again affirm BMW's long-standing
commitment to providing our customers with the best quality product and
ownership experience possible," stated Victor Doolan, president of BMW of
North America, Inc. "These accomplishments would not have been possible were
it not for the focused efforts of our entire organization. From design and
development, to manufacturing on through to our retailer network, all of BMW
shares in these awards."
Conducted annually, the J.D. Power and Associates IQS2 study monitors the
number of problems new-vehicle owners experience in the first three months of
ownership. The study is the industry quality standard in ranking current-year
models based on problems per 100 vehicles covering 135 specific problem areas
over nine vehicle sections. The 1998 study reports responses from more than
58,000 owners of 1998 model-year vehicles. The IQS plant awards are based on
vehicles built throughout the world and for sale in the United States.
BMW of North America, Inc. was established in 1975, at which point the
company assumed marketing and distribution responsibilities of BMW automobiles
in the U.S. from the previous private distributor. Motorcycle marketing and
distribution was added in 1980. Since then the company's North American
operations have grown to include marketing, sales and financial services
organizations in the United States and Canada; a South Carolina manufacturing
operation; a design firm in California; and various other operations
throughout the U.S. and Canada. BMW is represented in North America through a
network of more than 375 automobile and 190 motorcycle retailers in the United
States and Canada. BMW (US) Holding Corp., the brand's North American
headquarters, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.
Information about BMW products is available to consumers via the World
Wide Web on the BMW homepage. The address is: http://www.bmwusa.com.