Consumer magazine: Japanese cars top most reliable list
www.chinaview.cn 2006-11-10 20:05:17

BEIJING, Nov. 10 (Xinhuanet) -- Toyota Motor Corp. topped Consumer Reports magazine's most reliable new vehicle list released Thursday, Honda Motor Co. came in second while American car companies General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co. both made strong showings.

The influential consumer advisory publication named 47 vehicles to its list of the most reliable for 2007. Toyota was the industry leader with 21, Honda produced 11 vehicles earning a most-reliable designation.

Ford also scored well with several of its new cars. The Fusion topped the Consumer Reports list of the most impressive new models, with the magazine's testing staff praising the car's "nimble handling and comfortable ride."

The Fusion and the Mercury Milan, which share the same platform, were named among the most reliable family cars, outscoring V6 versions of the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry.

The Lincoln Zephyr, which also shares the Fusion platform, was named the second most-reliable upscale sedan after the 2007 Lexus ES350 and ahead of Hyundai Motor Co. Ltd.'s Azera and the Acura TSX and TL from Honda.

A Ford spokesman said the quality ranking could help bring buyers back to the U.S. automaker.

"When people go out to see the Ford Fusion ... what they're going to find is bolder design and quality that ranks with the best in the world," said Jim Cain.

New versions the Chevrolet Tahoe and the GMC Yukon from GM made the list of most reliable large SUVs, just behind three offerings from Toyota: the Land Cruiser, Lexus LX and Sequoia.

David Champion, who oversees auto testing for Consumer Reports, said the key for Ford and GM was whether the initial strong reliability ratings on the new models would hold up over the long run, an area where Toyota and Honda have excelled.

"Whether they start out good and remain good remains to be seen," he said.

DaimlerChrysler AG was alone among major automakers in being shut out of the most-reliable list.

(Agencies)

Editor: Gareth Dodd