Hyundai’s reliability lauded in US mart

Much maligned in the past, the South Korean brand Hyundai now ranks number two in reliability, tied with perennial leader Honda, in the newest ratings of Consumer Reports magazine in the United States.

In a report by the USA Today last March 12, it was revealed that Toyota continued to be the top brand for reliability in the ranking, based on 2002 models, in Consumer Reports’ annual auto issue released the previous day.

The magazine’s issue, considered a bible for car shoppers, contains reviews, buying tips, reliability scores, safety ratings and industry trends compiled by Consumer Reports’ auto test staff. The reliability ratings are based on surveys of 460,000 owners of vehicles up to five years old who were asked on problems in 14 areas.

A brand’s ranking is based on complaints about 2002 models. The consumers found 11 problems per 100 vehicles for Hyundai, a vast improvement from last year when they found 24 problems per 100 vehicles. Hyundai ranked 12th out of 20 brands last year.

David Champion, director of auto testing for Consumer Reports, said that 10 years ago Hyundai ranked at the bottom of the ratings.

"The question will be as these models age, how their reliability will be in comparison to cars from other manufacturers," he observed.

J.D. Power and Associates, a marketing and research firm, expressed surprise at the rankings. However, Brian Walters, J.D. Power’s director of product research, said "I wasn’t surprised that Hyundai products are getting better."

Hyundai had quality problems in the past that it began offering 10-year warranties in the US to assure buyers.

Chuck Halper, vice president for service at Hyundai Motor America, said their warranty costs have fallen more than 50 percent on some models since 1998, a proof that their vehicles are getting more and more reliable.

Hyundai is the world’s eighth biggest carmaker and it aims to be among the top 5 by 2010.

In the Philippines, the Hyundai Starex van continues to be the bestselling passenger van since its introduction in 1996.

Hyundai Asia Resources Inc. (HARI), the official distributor of Hyundai vehicles in the country, said Hyundai will continually strive to give motorists the best value for their money.

"Our slogan is ‘Always There For You.’ This is not our goal. This is our promise," said Fe Agudo, HARI’s general manager.

HARI just recently introduced the 2003 Starex that came, for a limited period, with a free DVD entertainment system.

The Starex continued to rule the passenger van segment last year, and this year HARI is confident this family carrier will remain competitive in the market along with other Hyundai vehicles that will be introduced soon.