(J.D. Power and Associates: Westlake Village, CA) -- Domestic auto brands, as a whole, have demonstrated higher initial quality than import brands for the first time, according to J.D. Power and Associates’ recently released 2010 U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS). The study has been conducted annually for the past 24 years.

Overall, the industry average for initial quality is 109 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) in 2010, increasing slightly from 108 PP100 in 2009. However, initial quality for domestic brands as a whole has improved by 4 PP100 in 2010 to an average of 108 PP100—slightly better than the initial quality of import brands, which averages 109 PP100 in 2010.

Substantial improvements by many domestic models—including the Ford Focus, Ram 1500 LD, and Buick Enclave—drove the overall improvement of domestic automakers. In particular, initial quality of Ford models has improved steadily for the past nine years. In addition, as a corporation, Ford Motor Co. (including Volvo) has 12 models that rank within the top three in their respective segments in 2010—more than any other corporation. General Motors Co. has 10 models that rank within the top three in their segments.

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