JD Power-LMC see stronger US auto sales for remaining 2013

DETROIT, 19.Juli Reuters) - the U.S. auto industry is ready for a robust second half of the year with revenues that 2008-2009 recorded said influential industry analysts J.D. power & associates and LMC automotive nearing the level before the recession on Friday.

"The general trend in demand for vehicles has overshadowed economic growth, and we are pleased the better economic fundamentals should accelerate demand on the current level to hold, if not in the next few months," said Jeff Schuster, senior Vice President at LMC automotive forecasting.

"With a strong tail wind, it is not unreasonable to over 16 million unit level of demand in 2013 to thinking," said Schuster.

If 2013 car sales in fact rise to 16 million, it would represent the highest annual sales since 2007 the figure of 16.1 million vehicles.

During the year's top sellers 16 million, Schuster says, LMC and JD Power on Friday raised its forecast for 2013 to 15.6 million from the previous 15.4 million.

A large fleet of older vehicles, which need to be replaced, sales connected stronger pickup truck a growing construction industry and consumer confidence have helped stimulate auto sales this year.

US vehicle sales 2012 was 14.5 million. At the bottom of the downturn, sales to 10.4 million vehicles decreased in 2009.

For July forecast, they have increased by 11 percent to 1.34 million new vehicle sales compared to the previous year to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 15.9 million vehicles.

4 Percent in the first half of the year was the new vehicle production in North America. Ford Motor Co production rose the best by 14 percent, partly on demand for the fusion sedan.

Chrysler Group LLC production rose by 1 percent and General Motors co output was 4 per cent, "due to weaker large SUV amount before the upcoming redesign and competitive pressure in the medium-sized car" JD Power and LMC said.

Chrysler is majority-owned by Fiat SpA.

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GM tops j.d power quality survey for the first time

After years of imports has lagged General has from engine to the top of the charts J.D.. power quality first-time tour, the most influential measure of vehicle quality in the first months in the 2013 rose the showroom lot.

The new study also shows that overall the quality of this year's cars, trucks and crossovers, even a little dropped from 2012 - a decline in largely the result of design problems that cannot be resolved for the most part at the dealership. Issued related to the latest infotainment systems and other high-tech devices are the largest single source of these headaches buyers according to J.D. power.

On the positive side "Manufacturer much do better when it comes, chassis, engines and other mechanical systems", explains Dave Sargent, Director of automotive research for California-based J.D. power and associates.. "Most people now reported problems involved are the latest technology."

Two of every three problems were reported by 83,000 owners and tenants who have participated in the latest study tech-based. While that includes such electro-mechanical devices such as electronic suspensions and cruise control systems, explains most of the complaints involved systems like Ford's much maligned MyFordTouch system, Sargent, pointing out that owners of were particularly frustrated:
User interfaces, which made it difficult to do even the simplest tasks, such as changing the temperature or tuning the radio;
Voice control systems, the commands could not understand or run incorrectly.
Systems that would not associate with a car phone.

Such issues are especially problematic for owners and automakers, as "only a few can be resolved," Sargent said no major Upgrades from the factory.
Problems with electronic systems have in recent years was fast, overtaking of excess wind and road noise than the single biggest complaint of the IQS study. Its makes completely revised survey form for 2013 accounts for this shift - and so consumers can provide more information, which could ultimately help manufacturers to tackle these problems.

The market research company undertook steps make it possible to compare the 2013 IQS results with those from past years and according to Sargent, the rate of complaints - counted as problems per 100 vehicles Surved by more than 10%. The industry average was 102 PP100 in 2012. This time increased on a customized 113 problems per 100.

Between the individual nameplates German sports car manufacturer Porsche the poll topped an average of 80 PP100. In a major surprise, came General Motors truck brand GMC in the second, 90 problems per 100, poked past chart tip Lexus, which had a score of 94 PP100 resistant. Infiniti on place 4, at 95 PP100, followed by Chevrolet, 97 problems.

The five have routinely made of luxury brands, and it was rare that all domestic manufacturers of this elite club to crack. GM, has above all never come near, which do well. And at the automakers, instead of comparing individual brands, which was Detroit-maker rating in 2013 IQS, a statement analyst of described Sargent as "phenomenal."

GM was actually the only manufacturer on average less than 100 PP100, well before Japanese rivals such as Toyota and Honda, the manufacturer, the traditional landing was regarded as quality benchmarks.

"GM has (even) more individual model awards than anyone else by a wide margin," Sargent noticed "eight out of 26 if no one else more than three."

To do so, they were the addition of Buick, a small crossover and the large Chevrolet Avalanche and GMC Sierra pickups - bound. The Chevrolet division alone topped five separate vehicles, also the muscle car Camaro and the full-size Impala sedan.

Other winners are get Honda, KIA, Mazda and Porsche, two awards. Acura, Hyundai, Chrysler, Ford, Nissan, Infiniti, Mercedes-Benz and Toyota model also won awards.

Toyota's high-line Lexus crowned not only premium luxury segment with its large LS, but the sedan scored a record-low 59 problems per 100.

But the continuing difficulties with electronic technologies a dark shadow on the 2013 quality initial survey, suggesting that the industry has some serious challenges ahead.

"Desire, and in some cases more content in their new vehicles, are demanding it, are trying above all technology-related functions, and automakers offer", Sargent said. "While he said" "those who frustrated are the majority of the owners having no problems."

While the real consumers like headache with cooperative Smartphones or tablet computers, they are probably in a relatively short time to replace, said Sargent. But most American drivers keep a new vehicle for at least five years and if there a problem "you are pretty much stuck with it for the lifetime of the vehicle."

Copyright © 2009-2013, the Detroit Bureau

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"Downsizing" car means not Downgrade--j.d. power

Fabrizio Bensch / Reuters

People see a Porsche Cayenne GTS car during one day press preview at the AMI car show in Leipzig June 1, 2012.

By Paul A. Eisenstein, NBC News logged-in user
American motorists no longer need, worry about what they have to, victims, if in a larger car for a smaller trade.

A new study released Wednesday by market research firm j.d. power and Associates finds that "anywhere" vendors offer small car buyers the type of features and amenities, which not even could have taken them in larger vehicles a decade ago.

And out to the most expensive and exotic, the industry provides the most basic transport far more than ever before, makes the annual APEAL study according to the automotive performance, execution and layout looks.

"Better cars than we've ever seen, are car manufacturers design" said Dave Sargent, power Director automobile Division line. "It is not only one or two manufacturers." "It's across the Board, which means that for the consumer it is a good time to be in the automotive market."

Traditionally meant "downsizing" to save money or to the reduction of fuel consumption, sacrificing comfort, performance and some other functions usually in larger and more expensive products found. But with increasing competition and as American motorists begin to shrink in large numbers, which the industry has responded, through the provision of smaller vehicles, which no longer fall into the Econobox category, beating Sargent.

"The average small car today as well as the medium-sized car is, that a person in, could now be traded" he said finding better functionality and improved fuel consumption it probably has.

Good news is that, when you consider that 27 percent makes by the respondents for the 2012 APEAL study 74,000 new vehicle owners reduced. Only 13 percent of "Upsizing." The rest purchased or leased a vehicle in the same segment before.

While small car owners with their purchases are satisfied, the latest APEAL study shows that drivers always still very satisfied with said "great, fast, expensive cars," Sargent, "the probably no surprise." Porsche shows the diagram for the eighth year in a row with Jaguar posting the sharpest improvement under luxury of Marques. European brands well act as a whole.

This largely reflects the results of the most recent j.d. power quality initial survey. But there is a distinct difference between the IQS and APEAL. "Things gone wrong", while the more recent study examines what may refer to the industry "Things gone right" those factors that surprise and inspire an owner and even low quality problems overcome the former measures. A particularly attractive design, a powerful engine, could include better fuel economy or a high-tech Infotainment System.

In particular created this digital information and entertainment systems in the IQS--published in the June-the biggest category of complaints. But according to APEAL, also the source of considerable praise, if they work properly.

Stressed Sargent are Ford Sync as "a double-edged sword", "because most people find satisfying them, if they work as expected." "But a small but significant minority problems."

That a system such as sync now can be ordered in a small car, as the Ford Fiesta underlines that the design and the development of even their most basic products approach changes the manufacturer, shows the 2012 APEAL study.

But small cars to generate even lower values in the study. And introduction of a new entry-level model can a manufacturer as Hyundai has happened. It released a rare decline in the 2012 APEAL because of the new accent, the brand model mix move down.

Between the individual brands Dodge showed the biggest improvement in the mainstream, especially because there are some its older, lower-rated models like calibre, fall has that replaces this year with the new Dodge Dart.

Chevrolet has received the most awards in individual vehicle segments, total three for avalanche, Sonic and Volt. Seven other brands received two awards: Audi, Dodge, Ford, KIA, mini, Nissan and Porsche.

Suzuki was the bottom rank, 745 points compared to an average industry 788. Other brands in the bottom five were in ascending order: Scion, smart, Mitsubishi and Subaru.

Porsche topped the chart with a score of 887. This was followed by Jaguar, BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz. Luxury manufacturers accounted for 11 top brands-12 If you include Britain's mini.

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J.d. power: World car market by 6% in 2011

DETROIT - global car sales 6 percent in 2011 to a record 76.5 million new light vehicles, j.d power and Associates Tuesday, said.

Auto sales in the so-called emerging markets made more than half of global sales for the first time in 2010, said j.d. power that tracks auto sales.

2010 Revenue reached a record 72 million beating the previous mark of 70 million set in 2007 a global recession in sales, cut car California-based JD Power said.

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"Overall growth sales, has supported in the global economy of on recovery in the car", said John Humphrey, senior Vice President, automotive operations at j.d power in a statement. "We see signals of stability and increased demand for new vehicles increases economic optimism."

J.d. power Director of global forecasting Jeff Schuster said the cooling of car sales growth in the emerging markets in 2011 is the main reason, global growth is only 6 percent this year, compared with a projected growth of 11 percent in 2012, as Western Europe and North America are expected to rebound.

After experiencing a drop of 2 percent in sales in the year 2011, will restore Europe, continued strong growth in 2012, that helps global boost Schuster said car sales on 85 million, in a telephone interview.

Worldwide auto market is seen climbing to 90 91 million in 2013 and surpassing 100 million new vehicle sales in the year 2015, said Schuster.

China, which will sell No. 1 car market, 6 million more vehicles in 2011 as no. 2 USA, said j.d power.

China is 19 million new vehicles the forecast 2011 for an increase of 11 percentage-down by 33 percent to sell growth in 2009 and 48 percent in 2008. Chinese turnover from 8.8 million in 2008 to 17.2 million in 2010 rose, said j.d. power.

General Motors co. Chief Executive Daniel Akerson said on Tuesday in Beijing: "China is a unique market sitting in what I think this is the highest growth area in the world for the next 10, 20, 30 years."

South America
In 2010 the auto market in sales volume, was followed by the United States, Japan, Brazil, Germany China, said Schuster.

2015 Is India will have the third largest market and he predicted fourth, Brazil.

A moderation of the sharp sales in recent years show increases South American economies, Schuster said. South American GDP growth are 4 to 5 percent in 2011.

"The main short-term risks of the region include rising inflation and continuing monetary tightening a sudden reversal in investor confidence and a possible credit bubble in Brazil, the largest car market in the region with nearly 75 percent of sales", Schuster said.

Only four years ago was China's car market 8.1 million vehicles sold half the US market. 2009 China was market which top at 13 million sales than the US market dropped to 10.4 million vehicles, the worst result for almost three decades.

China sales in 2010 and 2011 are still nearly all smaller vehicles while half are US market sales in more profitable sports utility vehicles and pickup trucks.

Schuster said profitable luxury cars were less than 4 percent of the entire Chinese market in 2010 and it will grow slowly over the next 5 percent.

Meanwhile in the US market, luxury cars were approximately 14.5 percent of the automobile market in 2010, a share rising to 17 percent in five years, including pickup trucks.

Copyright 2011 Thomson Reuters.

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Ford to add shifts at some U.S. power plants.

SAN FRANCISCO - Ford Motor Co. will production for deliveries to U.S. dealers to increase 13 percent in the first quarter of 2011 and some his third shifts add Ford sales executives said on Sunday.

Ford, which increased US sales by 19.5 percent in 2010 to 1.93 million, said many of his works are overtime and can further ramp up production with more layers to respond to higher sales.

"You should expect continued growth in the year on how goes", Ken Czubay, Ford said U.S. sales Chief.

Czubay and Jim Farley, Ford said global marketing Chief, reporters after Ford executives with US Ford dealers in the national automotive dealers Association annual Convention in San Francisco's Moscone Center meets.

Czubay said the company is "study" adding third shifts in some its US power plants to meet higher demand, but has no definitive plans to do so.

"We it looking on a vehicle from vehicle basis", said Czubay.

"All plants are now flat from relative to our skill that meet suppliers run." We run full out, ", said Czubay.

In recent months has Ford had to slow down and stop production on some of his works due to lack of supplier parts.

Farley said that retail demand by 27 percent in January.

"We try just customer demand catch up," said Farley.

Czubay said, sales leads the new version of SUV Ford Explorer and stocks of the product are closely for traders.

Czubay said there are also low days supply for the Ford Edge SUV focus and Fiesta converted small sedans and Lincoln MKX. Farley said that days security of supply in the one-digit level for the Explorer.

"The demand is high for linear, new product", said Czubay.

Copyright 2011 Thomson Reuters.

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