The 2008 JD Power Initial Quality Study has been released, and Lexus has placed third overall and just one point under Infiniti for second place.

The lineup is well represented In the individual segments, with both the LS and RX placing first in their respective groups. Here’s a full breakdown:

• Large Premium Car: LS (1st place)
• Midsize Premium Car: ES (Tie for 3rd)
• Midsize Premium MAV: RX (1st place)
• Midsize Premium MAV: GX (2nd place)

The real story with this year’s study is the significant gains shown throughout the industry, where almost 75% of the 36 brands showed major improvements:

Overall quality improves to 118 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) in 2008, down from 125 PP100 in 2007.

“Due to some strong new-vehicle launches, in addition to a continued reduction in the level of defects and malfunctions, overall quality improves by 6 percent in 2008, compared with 2007,” said David Sargent, vice president of automotive research at J.D. Power and Associates. “This gain is driven not only by strong advances from many of the high-volume brands such as Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota, but also by very significant improvements by many other automakers.”

The largest jump in quality was Audi, who moved from 26th place to 10th. More importantly to Lexus is the jump exhibited by Infiniti, who went from 9th last year to 2nd.

[Source: JD Power

Here’s story that slipped through as I was finishing up the new version of this site: Lexus won two awards in the 2008 Fleet World Honours, taking home the Security award and the Best Luxury Car award for the LS:

The Security Award reflects Lexus’s high levels of protection against theft of or from its vehicles. George Emmerson, chairman of the judging panel, said Lexus “does more than anyone else in the market” in terms of effective anti-theft provisions.

Retaining its Best Luxury Car title has endorsed the Lexus LS’s status as a flagship limousine that delivers exceptional comfort, refinement and technical sophistication, particularly of the hybrid power LS 600h.

Ken Rogers, Fleet World editor said: “The Lexus LS stands above its worthy competitors simply because it is such a quality product, manufactured to the highest standards. No longer the new kid on the block, Lexus has nothing more to prove.”

This is the second year in a row that the Lexus LS has been awarded the Best Luxury Car title by Fleet World, a UK magazine for business owners who, well, manage a fleet of cars.

[Source: New Car Net]

The Luxury Institute has released their annual report on the top prestige auto brands in the USA, and Lexus ranked #2, just behind Porsche and in front of Mercedes. Here’s some details about the survey:

The proprietary Luxury Brand Status Index (LBSI) survey is the only measure of the prestige of leading brands among wealthy Americans. A national sample of 1,642 wealthy American consumers, with an average income of $349K and average net-worth of $3.7 million, was surveyed online.

“We conduct our surveys with independent panels of wealthy consumers with results tabulated by external analytical firms. We have no consulting projects with the brands rated nor do we have advertising dependencies with them. As far as we are aware, this is the only consumer-based survey that can make those claims. Our surveys inform luxury CEOs on the health of their brands in no uncertain terms so they can take action to enhance relationships with prospects and customers. Today more luxury brands rely on the accuracy of the Luxury Institute’s survey data than any other research.”

Two years ago, Lexus ranked third behind Porsche and Mercedes, and last year tied with Mercedes for second place, indicating that the automotive brand is moving up in minds of their prospective customers.

The thing I find most interesting is that these wealthy consumers are filling out the survey, though I wonder just what percentage of the mailouts converted. Still, there’s something very impressive about ranking so high, even from a sample audience of 1,642.

(I’d like to find some similar surveys for other parts of the world.)

[Source: Yahoo!] (Thanks Dan!)

Count this among the news I missed last week when my head was buried in code, Lexus UK has topped the annual JD Power Customer Satisfication Index for the eighth year in a row:

In the nameplate rankings, luxury Japanese brand Lexus ranks highest for an eighth consecutive year, receiving a customer satisfaction score of 866. Lexus continues to perform particularly well in three of four key measures: quality/reliability, service satisfaction and vehicle appeal. Rounding out the top five manufacturers are Škoda (846), Honda (844), Toyota (836) and Jaguar (833).

With 20 points separating Lexus from its nearest competitor, it’s a commanding lead. What I find most impressive, beyond the eight consecutive top finishes, is that Lexus has won every year it’s been eligible. Since arriving in the UK, the brand has been dominant in regards to customer satisfaction, which is bound to start registering with British customers.

[Source: JD Power]

The Lexus LS 600hL has been named the UK Chauffeur Car of the Year by The Chauffeur Magazine (no, really):

Key factors behind the judges’ decision included the Lexus hybrid system which allowed for lower emission and competitive fuel economy, build quality, and the reclining and massaging rear seats which can adapt for shiatsu back and shoulder massages with varying intensity.

Also contributing to the award was the Lexus Chauffeur programme which offers unique finance packages, designated staff within the Lexus Centre network for sales and service, plus access to the loan of a PCO (Public Carriage Office) licenced Lexus enabling chauffeurs to continue working in the event of their own vehicle being off the road for any reason.

Paul Gibson, Editor of The Chauffeur magazine commented: “I am delighted to present this prestigious award to Lexus for its excellent LS 600h L, which easily fought off its rivals in this sector of the competition. The vehicle represents true luxury and gives the chauffeur everything he needs to carry out his job successfully.”

The win was in the highly competitive £50,000 - £100,000 category, with competition provided by the Mercedes S-Class LWB, BMW 730d LWB and Audi A8 3.0 TDi LWB.

[Via: 4Wheels Car Blog]

Consumer Reports has released its top picks for 2008, and among the ten winners, the Lexus LS 460L was chosen as the #1 luxury sedan:

With a score of 99 out of 100 in CR’s road test, the LS 460L ($77,000) is CR’s highest-rated vehicle. It provides a no-compromise environment of comfort and roominess, coupled with an isolating quietness. It also delivers quick acceleration and relatively good fuel economy. While it’s brimming with electronic amenities, its controls are easy to use.

A score of 99/100 is, quite frankly, extraordinary, and I doubt a reputable publication like Consumer Reports handed it out lightly. Yet, it’s a little surprising that any car could hit such a high number, CR is essentially calling the LS 460L perfect.

[Source: Consumer Reports]