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Ford Motor Company Vehicle Quality Soars
In 2007 J.D. Power & Associates Survey
· Ford Motor Company wins 14
vehicle honors, more than any other
automaker.
· Five vehicles are top segment
performers.
· Ford’s recently launched
vehicles are among industry’s best
performers.
· Four brands – Ford, Lincoln,
Mercury – place in top 10, all
significantly above industry average.
 Ford Motor Company has the most
top-quality vehicles in the industry,
according to a customer-based Initial
Quality Survey released today by J.D.
Power and Associates. In the research
firm’s 2007 Initial Quality Study (IQS),
the Ford Mustang, Mercury Milan, Lincoln
MKZ, and Lincoln Mark LT swept their
vehicle segments for top honors.
“We are designing and building
world-class vehicles, and it’s great to
have this affirmation from the customers
who drive our cars and trucks every
day,” said Mark Fields, president of the
Americas, Ford Motor Company. “While
we’re pleased that our internal focus on
quality is receiving this kind of
recognition from J.D. Power and
Associates, we will not let up. We will
continue to deliver even more
high-quality products that customers
want.”
Overall, Ford, Lincoln and Mercury
nameplates placed among the top 10
nameplates, with Lincoln in 3rd place,
Mercury in 8th place and Ford brand in
10th.
Ford Motor Company received 14 total
vehicle honors, more than any other
automaker. In addition to the five
first-place winners, the following
vehicles also were recognized:
Second-place winners included Ford F-150
LD: Large pickup, Lincoln MKX: Midsize
premium MAV and Lincoln Navigator: Large
premium MAV. Third-place included Ford
Fusion: Midsize car, Ford Econoline:
Van, Ford Five Hundred: Large car,
Mercury Montego: Large car (tied with
Five Hundred) and Mercury Mountaineer:
Midsize MAV.
The company’s overall ranking in the
survey climbed to 4th place from last
year’s 7th, helped in part by the
performance of Ford’s recently launched
vehicles. Crossovers Lincoln MKX and
Ford Edge received high marks, as did
the new Lincoln Navigator. Fusion, Milan
and MKZ continue building quality
momentum. Edge ranked 4th in its
segment, midsize MAV, just behind
Mountaineer.
Wixom Assembly Plant received a Platinum
Award, recognizing it as the industry’s
best-quality performing plant worldwide.
This marks the first time since 1999
that a North American assembly plant has
received J.D. Power’s top award for
producing vehicles yielding the fewest
defects.
Wixom Assembly Plant, which ended
production and was idled on May 31 as
part of the company’s plan to align
capacity with demand, produced the
Lincoln Town Car. The large premium car
ranked 4th in its segment.
Bennie Fowler, vice president of Global
Quality, Ford Motor Company, said
Wixom’s performance underlines the fact
that Ford’s UAW-represented employees
are dedicated to producing quality
vehicles, even as they face change.
“This is a testament to a committed and
focused workforce,” Fowler said. “They
raised their game even as they prepared
to idle their plant.”
J.D. Power & Associates 2007 IQS report
measures problems per 100 vehicles as
reported by customers after having
driven their new vehicles for three
months. The report is the most recent
third party to validate Ford’s
significant quality improvements.
In Oman, the Ford vehicles are marketed
by Arabian Car Marketing Co. LLC, a part
of Saud Bahwan Group. They come with 6
years unlimited mileage protection,
service and parts network that stretches
across the Sultanate, over 98% parts
availability - and Ford Privilege Card –
which provides 24 hours On-road
assistance from AAA, Oman’s premier
On-road Assistance Service Providers and
exclusive discounts from several premium
establishments across the country & UAE.
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