Thread: JD Powers
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Old Jun 14, 2006 | 04:31 PM
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RGvivace
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Default Re: JD Powers
J.D. Powers -- based here in Detroit -- does numerous ratings. The one most people are familiar with is the Initial Quality study, which is a simple reporting of the number of defects reported by owners/lessees in the first few months of ownership. Even Powers admits that this is not completely objective, since it appears that many new owners will report what they perceive as design issues as "defects." One example would be the Crossfire's power window controls on the center console, rather than the doors where most people expect to find them.

There are myriad other Powers reports, some of which are quite subjective rankings in the style of "reviews." If your criteria is that of a mini-van owner, the Crossfire will rank quite low in terms of cupholders (quantity, placement and design). Like Consumer Reports, they have a hard time assessing issues like handling and brake feel, and therefore give these less weight in their overall ratings.

Remember, this is a commercial company that sells its services to car makers, who pay for both the outside information and the potential PR benefit. Take their reports with the same large grain of salt you would for anyone trying to sell you something.
 
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