Cruze ranks among top GM models in study of new vehicles

Staff report

LORDSTOWN

The Chevrolet Cruze ranked as one of General Motors’ top vehicles in a study of new vehicles released this week by J.D. Power.

J.D. Power’s 2017 U.S. Initial Quality Study looks at the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles during the first 90 days of ownership.

The study is based on responses from nearly 80,000 purchasers and lessees of new 2017 model-year vehicles, J.D. Power said.

The study found that GM has 11 models ranked in the top three for their segment: Buick Encore and Enclave; Cadillac ATS; Chevrolet Equinox, Colorado, Cruze, Silverado, Silverado HD, Sonic and Tahoe; and GMC Terrain.

In the compact-car segment, the Cruze tied for third place in terms of the number of flaws reported. The Buick Verano won first in that segment, and the Kia Forte was second. The Cruze, Toyota Corolla and Volkswagen Jetta tied for third.

In terms of brand performance, Chevrolet ranked sixth.

GM also won four vehicle awards, the second most of any corporation (tied with BMW).

Overall, the study found that new-vehicle quality improved 8 percent from last year.

Kia was the highest-ranked brand in overall initial quality for the second-consecutive year, and Hyundai was the top-rank manufacturer.

The Cruze sedan is built locally at the Lordstown plant. The Cruze hatchback is built in Mexico.

The Lordstown plant currently is on a two-week scheduled vacation. Following that break, a three-week shutdown will begin. The shutdown is a response to a sales slowdown for the Cruze.