For awhile, there has been a great amount of speculation about the level of consumer satisfaction with the U.S. auto industry. Now, consumers have spoken—and the results should have U.S. auto producers running to analyze existing quality control measures.
According to a recent report from J.D. Power and Associates, which surveyed 41,000 owners of three-year-old cars and trucks about the frequency of issues in certain makes and models, quality approval ratings have hit their lowest mark in 16 years.
The report names engine hesitation and rough transmission shifts as the leading complaints, as about six out of every 100 vehicles have encountered trouble with either one or both problems.
Here is one of the most inspiring parts of the bleak survey, however: at least 56 percent of owners that do not face issues claim to stick with that brand when making future car purchases. That means that brand loyalty amongst U.S. car buyers is not completely dead. This shows that there is a pulse, and also hope for future reconciliation.
In order to retain customers and increase brand loyalty, U.S. auto manufacturers need to ensure that each and every vehicle that is placed on the road is up to par. This means that advanced quality reporting is necessary in order to pinpoint problems that could arise after being shipped out while a car is still in production. Using statistical process control, auto manufacturers can guarantee that a car will be of sound quality before it ever gets onto the road.
Right now, the U.S. auto industry needs all of the help it can get in order to rebound as the global car market expands and tries to lure in customers who have been buying the same cars for generations. How will your manufacturing facility ensure U.S. production growth?