The automaker received the lowest tally of 86 points in the Initial Quality Study by J.D. Power and Associates, improving by 20 points from a year earlier. (image: raymondclarkeimages/flickr)
SEOUL, June 18 (Korea Bizwire) — Kia Motors, South Korea’s second-largest carmaker, said Thursday it has been named the best among non-premium brands in a U.S. quality test this year.
The automaker received the lowest tally of 86 points in the Initial Quality Study by J.D. Power and Associates, improving by 20 points from a year earlier, Kia said in a press release.
The latest score has pushed up Kia to rank first among non-premium names, up two spots from the previous year, and nudge out others, including Japanese rival Toyota and Audi of Germany.
Among all 33 brands, including luxury vehicles, the South Korean automaker ranked second, Kia said.
Kia’s Sorento SUV and the Soul crossover earned the best evaluations in their segments, while the Optima, better known as the K5 in the home market, came in second among midsize sedans.
Hyundai Motor, Kia’s larger affiliate under auto conglomerate Hyundai Motor Group, ranked second among non-premium carmakers and No. 4 among all brands in the U.S. quality test.
The annual test assesses the responses of vehicle owners in 26 segments, and evaluates factors, such as driving experience, engine performance and other quality-related issues, within the first 90 days of ownership. This year’s study used a survey of 22,697 purchasers.
(Yonhap)
