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Porsche tops J.D. Power quality index as Korean brands soar

While complaints about infotainment systems remain a thorn in the side of automakers for J.D. Power's annual Initial Quality Study, there's a lot to celebrate this year. The average number of problems reported per 100 vehicles fell to 112 in 2015 – a three-percent improvement compared to 116 in 2014. The results of this year's survey are based on the responses of over 84,000 people about problems within the first 90 days of buying or leasing a 2015 model-year vehicle. For the third consecutive year, Porsche tops the rankings with an average of 80 problems per 100 vehicles. Although, that's slightly more than the 74 the German sportscar maker scored in 2014. "While the Japanese automakers continue to make improvements, we're seeing other brands, most notably Korean makes, really accelerating the rate of improvement," Renee Stephens, vice president of US automotive quality at J.D. Power, said in the study's release. In fact, Kia ranks as one of the biggest movers in this year's list. The Korean brand jumped to second place from seventh last year. The company had an average of 86 problems per 100 vehicles, a 20-point improvement. Third place went to Jaguar with an average of 93 problems reported, versus last year's second-place finish with 87 of them. Fourth place was Hyundai, and fifth-place Infiniti also earned a gold star for improvement with 97 issues per 100 vehicles – 31-points better than last year. Fiat still anchored the bottom of the list. However, its 161 problems this year is a lot better than the 206 in 2014. Ranked by nationality, Korean brands (Hyundai and Kia) are now leading the industry in initial quality with an average of 90 problems reported per 100 vehicles. According to J.D. Power, this is the first time Europe's figure beat Japan with 113 and 114 issues, respectively. The American brands also averaged 114. Whereas General Motors dominated last year, the segment awards are spread out in 2015. GM, Hyundai, Nissan, and Volkswagen Group are all tied with four models each earning prizes. For more information, you can also see all of the graphs, here. J.D.

J.D. Power: Mini, Lexus again offer most satisfying sales experience

JD Power has released its annual Sales Satisfaction Index Study, and once again Mini and Lexus have taken top honors. Overall, buyers are more satisfied with the auto-buying sales experience than they were last year, with those surveyed reporting an average score of 664 points on a 1,000-point scale. That's up from 648 in 2011. Dealer satisfaction also increased by five points over last year as well.
All told, Lexus brought home an index score of 737, which was high enough to put it atop the luxury brands for the second year in a row. JD Power says Infiniti came in second in that category with a score of 728 and Cadillac rounded out the podium with it's rating of 725. Speaking of Infiniti, that brand saw the single largest jump in sales satisfaction of any brand on the survey, popping up 52 index points over 2011.
Among mass-market brands, Mini ranked highest with a score of 712, followed closely by Buick with 706 and GMC farther down the line with 683. You can check out the full press release below for more information.

Infiniti spruces up Q70L Bespoke Edition for Shanghai [w/video]

"Luxury" is a relative term. Take the Infiniti Q70, for instance, which most of us would find plenty luxurious. But some buyers – in China especially – wanted more, so Infiniti stretched it out into the Q70L. And now it's revealed the even more luxurious Q70L Bespoke Edition. Revealed for the first time at the Shanghai Motor Show down the coast from the company's global headquarters in Hong Kong, the Infiniti Q70L Bespoke Edition is designed to "fill the gap between the current interiors in production cars and luscious interiors of Infiniti's concept cars." That's been materialized through a quilted white leather cabin space with four individual seats hewn "by meticulous craftsmanship and three-dimensional textures." It all looks pretty swank to us, but not the kind of space you'd want to put your kids in with their juice boxes, crayons and dirty soccer uniforms. Check it out in the video clip, high-res images and press release below. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Apr. 19, 2015 Infiniti unveils Q70L Bespoke Edition at Auto Shanghai; joins Q60 Concept and Q80 Inspiration in show debut - Infiniti Q70L Bespoke Edition revealed with concept-car inspired interior - Q80 Inspiration and Q60 Concept vehicles also make China premieres - Infiniti design, plus Global and China growth, highlighted Hong Kong/Shanghai – Infiniti today took the covers off its Infiniti Q70L Bespoke Edition at Auto Shanghai 2015, showcasing its concept car-inspired interior for the first time in front of the predominantly Chinese crowd. The special version of the production Q70L, with a 5.9-inch (150 mm) longer wheelbase, features four luxurious seats wrapped in rich white quilted leather. This exploration is meant to fill the gap between the current interiors in production cars and luscious interiors of Infiniti's concept cars. Shaped by meticulous craftsmanship and three-dimensional textures, the cabin of the Q70L Bespoke Edition has been transformed into a cossetting space, hinting at how the artistry of Infiniti's concept cars can become reality. The production model of the Infiniti Q70, and two more Infiniti concepts – the Q80 Inspiration and Q60 Concept – were also making Auto Shanghai debuts.