E-Class, Hilux best quality vehicles in SA – Ipsos

22nd August 2014

By: Irma Venter

Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

  

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The Mercedes-Benz E-Class has been crowned the best-quality passenger car in South Africa, followed by the C-Class Coupé and the C-Class petrol model.

This title has been awarded by research house Ipsos, based on telephonic interviews conducted with new vehicle buyers after three months of ownership.

In these interviews, consumers indicate the problems they experience with their purchase in four categories, namely noise levels – always the biggest problem; appearance; static functional aspects (such as water leaks); and dynamic functional aspects (such as steering and handling).

These problems are calculated as problems per 100 vehicles (PP100), with a lower score the best outcome.

According to this system, the E-Class scored 10 PP100, followed by the C-Class Coupé and C-Class petrol models, both at 14 PP100.

In the case of the E-Class, this means that, out of ten vehicles, nine were completely problem-free, even from the smallest squeak or rattle.

The Audi Q7 took top honours in the recreational vehicle rankings, at 18 PP100, followed by the Toyota FJ Cruiser, at 21 PP100.

Toyota was number one in the bakkie rankings, with the Hilux petrol single-cab at 18 PP100. The Hilux petrol double-cab was second, at 25 PP100.

Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) and Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) are also the big winners in the plant awards.

TSAM walked away with the title as the local light commercial vehicle (LCV) plant producing the most problem-free bakkies of all local plants, with MBSA taking the crown as the best local passenger car plant.

Worst passenger car performer in this year’s awards was the Volkswagen Caravelle/Kombi, at 73 PP100. In the recreational vehicle ranking it was the Ford Everest, at 87 PP100, and in the bakkie segment the Mazda BT-50 diesel double-cab, at 75 PP100.

This year’s Ipsos quality awards have yielded an overall average of around 40 PP100, down from the 140 PP100 recorded in 2005.

Brands that did not participate in this year’s awards include Hyundai, Land Rover, Jeep, Tata, Suzuki, Mahindra, Foton, Chery, Jaguar, Chrysler, Alfa, Fiat, Porsche and Mitsubishi.

Brands included in the survey are Audi, BMW, Kia, Nissan, Lexus, Citroën, Chevrolet, Mercedes-Benz, Mazda, Toyota, Opel, Volvo, Renault, Peugeot, Volkswagen, Mazda, Isuzu and Ford.

Those brands included account for more than 80% of the sales volume for passenger cars in South Africa, and 86% of the LCV market.

SERVICING, PURCHASING WINNERS ALSO ANNOUNCED
Ipsos has also announced its awards for the best passenger car purchasing experience in South Africa, with Audi and Volkswagen securing gold in this category.

Similar to the quality awards, these accolades are based on 2013 telephonic interviews with a selected sample of customers.

Gold for best passenger car service experience went to Audi and Lexus.

Three brands received gold for offering the best light commercial vehicle purchasing experience, namely Isuzu, Nissan and Volkswagen.

Gold for best bakkie service experience is shared between Chevrolet, Isuzu, Nissan, Toyota and Volkswagen.

* Ipsos is an independent market research company, listed on the Paris stock exchange.

Edited by Creamer Media Reporter

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