Hyundai and Kia finally have some good news coming from the Chinese market as American market research company J.D. Power listed the South Korean automakers 1st and 2nd respectively in its 2017 China Initial Quality Study. (Image: Yonhap)
SEOUL, Sept. 29 (Korea Bizwire) – Hyundai and Kia finally have some good news coming from the Chinese market as American market research company J.D. Power listed the South Korean automakers 1st and 2nd respectively in its 2017 China Initial Quality Study.
The study, published on September 28, was conducted from last September to May in 67 major Chinese cities. 251 vehicles from 68 brands were included in the market analysis.
J.D. Power surveyed car owners 2 to 6 months after they had purchased their cars. The individual auto brands were ranked based on the number of complaints per 100 purchased vehicles.
With a score of 86, Hyundai returned to the top spot for the first time in two years. 4th-ranked Kia last year moved right behind its sister company with a score of 88. Kia’s second place finish is the best ranking it has received in the annually conducted study.
With a score of 86, Hyundai returned to the top spot for the first time in two years. (Image: Yonhap)
Hyundai’s Verna-based Reina, Elantra Langdong and Tucson, and Kia’s K5 were rated the best cars in their respective categories. The Reina and Langdong are Chinese market-only models.
No other auto company had three winners.
A representative for Hyundai and Kia said, “To receive the highest possible rankings in the Initial Quality Study amidst our recent struggles in the Chinese market means a lot.” She added that the car companies will strive to earn Chinese consumers’ trust through constant efforts to improve quality”.
S.B.W. (sbw266@koreabizwire.com)
