(J.D. Power Asia Pacific: Shanghai) -- Overall new-vehicle initial quality in China has improved by 14 percent in 2009, compared with 2008, as the quality gap between China’s domestic brands and international brands narrows, according to the recently released J.D. Power Asia Pacific 2009 China Initial Quality Study.

Now in its 10th year, the study examines problems experienced by new-vehicle owners within the first two to six months of ownership. Vehicle problems are examined in two distinct categories: the quality of design category and the quality of production (defects and malfunctions) category. Overall performance is determined by problems experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100). A lower rate of problem incidence indicates higher quality.

China overall initial quality averaged 178 problems per 100 vehicles in 2009—a 14-percent improvement from 207 PP100 in 2008.

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