RAM tops new car quality survey

RAM has topped an influential US survey for new vehicle quality for the first time, marking a swift transformation for the popular pick-up brand.

In the annual JD Power Initial Quality Study released overnight, RAM jumped to top spot from a lowly 21st position in the same study just two years ago – based on the experiences of 110,000 Americans who have either purchased or leased a 2021 model-year vehicle.

Another Stellantis brand, Dodge, landed in second spot after securing the top prize in last year’s rankings, while stablemate Jeep finished eighth to complete a top-10 trifecta for the US operation.

The Jeep Gladiator topped the mid-size pick-up segment, just ahead of the Australian-developed Ford Ranger.

The emphatic RAM turnaround comes after pledges from its management to address long-held stigmas around quality and reliability.

Locally, the likes of Jeep have chartered a comeback trail predicated on a better customer experience.

“What it boils down to is just a lot of hard work on the part of the Stellantis team throughout the organisation to improve their quality,” Dave Sargent, vice president of automotive quality at JD Power, told US outlet Automotive News.

“Maybe 10 years ago, it wasn’t the best. Five years ago, it was getting competitive, and now they’re one of the best in the industry, particularly on the RAM side.

“Pick-up trucks are not easy to build, [and] the RAM is loaded with content and lots of variations. They have a pretty tough life, with demanding customers. To be number one, when all you do is build pick-ups, is really pretty impressive.”

Earlier this year, the global boss of Jeep, Christian Meunier, admitted the brand had made mistakes in the past, but believes Australians will fall back in love with the adventure brand and send its sales into orbit.

RAM, meanwhile, has had little trouble gaining traction among ute-loving Aussies, enjoying steady growth since the brand launched in earnest under the current arrangement where the trucks are imported by RAM Trucks Australia (a division of the Ateco Group) and converted to right-hand drive by Melbourne-based Walkinshaw Group.

Beyond RAM, the 2021 JD Power study featured the usual list of Asian brands near the top, with Lexus and Mitsubishi tied for third, and Nissan, Kia, Genesis and Hyundai also in the top 10.

Tesla isn’t officially included in the survey because the car-maker reportedly refuses to grant permission for JD Power to survey owners.

The study, which is based on the first 90 days of ownership, asked 223 questions across nine vehicle categories for 2021: infotainment; features, controls and displays; exterior; driving assistance; interior; powertrain; seats; driving experience; and climate.

Infotainment accounted for 25 per cent the problems reported, according to JD Power, reiterating itself as a consistent bugbear for new vehicle owners.

New vehicle quality improved two per cent from 2020, the company said.