According to a 2012 Strategic Vision (SV) survey, consumer’s rate Volkswagen and Ford as having the highest quality ratings of all 2011 vehicles surveyed. The difference between Strategic Vision’s survey as compared to J.D. Power’s Quality Reports, done earlier this year, is that Strategic Vision uses what it calls the “Total Quality Index” (TQI). TQI not only rates vehicles by consumer complaints, but also takes into consideration the customer buying experience, vehicle performance and all around customer satisfaction. Strategic Vision has been working directly with automotive consumers since 1995, as well as maintains relationships with all major automotive manufacturers. This allows them to report on all aspects of the new car buyer’s experience.

This year’s survey questioned almost 40,000 people who bought model year 2011 vehicles between September and December 2010. Volkswagen came in first, mostly due to the success of the Golf, Jetta, and Tiguan. Despite complaints about about Fords infotainment systems; strong designs, technological innovations, and brand equity in the Mustang, Flex and F-Series trucks, gave Ford a second place. The biggest surprise came from the most improved corporation, Chrysler Group, who’s Dodge Charger and redesigned Jeep Grand Cherokee excelled in innovation, influencing the perceptions of quality. Even though Toyota vehicles were reported to have the lowest actual problems, there were no Toyota vehicles in the top of the list. With all automobile manufacturers running the tightest “quality race” ever, customers are increasingly defining “quality” by using the Total Quality Index.