Ford and Volkswagen rate highly in JD Power survey

Volkswagen and Ford are the surprise winners of a US-based survey measuring buyers' perception of quality.
The results of the Total Quality Index survey by US consultancy Strategic Vision contradict the influential J.D. Power ''initial quality study'' results released last month, which had placed the two automotive giants 29th and 23rd, respectively, on the basis of faults detected in new cars.
The Strategic Vision study also takes faults into account but weighs them against their severity, while polling car owners on their impressions of styling, packaging and emotional benefits of the driving and ownership experience.
Volkswagen topped the survey largely on the basis of feedback on design and styling, ''along with many other cues of quality that were very impactful upon owners''.