Mitsubishi Electric Automotive America Receives 2000 J.D. Power and Associates Award for Highest Quality AM/FM/Cassette/Single CD Audio System
26 December 2000
Mitsubishi Electric Automotive America Receives 2000 J.D. Power and Associates Award for Highest Quality AM/FM/Cassette/Single CD Audio System
PLYMOUTH, Mich., Dec. 22 Mitsubishi Electric Automotive
America (MEAA), Inc., announced that for the second consecutive year, its
combination AM/FM/cassette/single CD player was ranked highest in audio
quality by consumers, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2000 Audio
Component Quality Report released this month. J.D. Powers and Associates has
conducted the audio quality report since 1995, and Mitsubishi Electric
Automotive America is the only supplier to receive the award two years in a
row in the same category.
This type of radio is the most popular audio combination used in cars and
trucks today, representing 37% of all units factory-installed in vehicles.
MEAA received the award based on responses from more than 85,000 owners of
new cars and light trucks who indicated their new vehicle is equipped with a
factory-installed stereo system. Seventeen suppliers of audio components were
included in the study, including Panasonic, Pioneer, Alpine, Clarion, Visteon,
Delphi/Delco and Fujitsu TEN. Mitsubishi Electric Automotive America supplies
this audio system to DaimlerChrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, Plymouth, Volvo
and Mitsubishi Motors.
The award is based on overall performance, design and features and focuses
on several criteria such as radio reception, and cassette or CD skipping,
ejection, loading and operation.
"We have ranked as having the highest quality AM/FM/cassette/single CD
player with the lowest TGW, or things gone wrong, incidence: 3.8 out of a
possible 100," says Hank Sugimoto, MEAA group president. "We're honored to be
recognized for the attributes we value most -- quality and responsiveness to
our automotive customers' and consumers' needs."
According to the study, consumers are most satisfied with the quantity of
radio stations their audio system can store in its memory and the quality of
its sound. The most dissatisfaction among consumers regards the ease of use
and understanding of the audio system's controls. The sound system problems
reported most often are radio reception, CDs that skip or jump, and difficulty
in operating the system.
The AM/FM/cassette/single CD player represents 37% of all
receiver/playback models. The AM/FM/single CD player accounts for 24% of the
audio systems sold, gaining five percentage points since 1999; the
AM/FM/cassette has 20% market share; single and multi-CD changers make up the
balance.
With nearly 80 years of experience in providing reliable, high-quality
products to OEMs and consumers all over the world, Mitsubishi Electric
Corporation is a recognized world leader in the manufacture, marketing and
sales of electrical and electronic equipment used in information processing
and communications, space development, satellite communications, consumer
electronics, industrial technology, energy, transportation and construction.
Mitsubishi Electric Automotive America (MEAA), a U.S. subsidiary of
Mitsubishi Electric, was established in 1979 in response to the continued
growth of the North American automotive business. MEAA offers all aspects of
engineering, manufacturing, sales and marketing, distribution and service of
electrical and electronic systems and components for automobile manufacturers
and industrial engine manufacturers.