Ford Now Has World Class Reliability

Consumer Reports' 2009 Vehicle Reliability results were released yesterday. Consumer Reports' press release reads: Ford has secured its position as the only Detroit automaker with world-class reliability.... About 90 percent (46 of 51) of Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln products were found to have average or better reliability.

The Consumer Reports survey measures vehicle quality in the first three years of service. The results show Fusion and Milan having better reliability than Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, and MKZ beating Acura TL and Lexus EX.

Not only do we continue to deliver consistent, strong initial quality results, but we can now claim excellence in long-term reliability. Superior craftsmanship is helping Ford establish a track record for reliability, while beating our Asian peers in the process.

Ford already holds the top spot in initial quality for having the fewest number of defects of any full-line manufacturer and is on par statistically with Toyota and Honda. Ford also is equal to Toyota in the percentage of customers satisfied with the quality of its products. [RDA Group's quarterly GQRS results]

Ford is challenging long-held beliefs that only Asian or luxury manufacturers lead in long-term durability and reliability. This is no longer true, making this a very good time for consumers to consider Ford when considering their next purchase decision.

Two years ago, the Fusion was on the cover of the newsstand issue announcing the 2007 Consumer Reports' Reliability Survey results. At the press conference, David Champion, auto test director for Consumer Reports, talked up Fusion and Milan's superb reliability results, but cautioned that the "real test" is how well the cars would perform over a three-year period.

Now they have their answer.