MANILA, Philippines – On October 31, 2014, J.D. Power Asia Pacific released its 2014 China Initial Quality Study (IQS). The report revealed that initial quality improved significantly in China as the quality gap between domestic and international brands continues to narrow. BAIC’s E-Series was named the winner of IQS’s compact car segment.
In the Philippines, BAIC’s E-Series is branded as the A113/A115. It is distributed by Bayan Automotive Industries Corporation (Bayan Auto), a subsidiary of Universal Motors Corporation (UMC). The A113/A115 was recently introduced and launched at the Philippine International Motor Show in September 2014.
It has been the 15th consecutive year that J.D. Power released the IQS report in China. The study serves as the industry benchmark for new vehicle quality by examining problems experienced by new vehicle owners within the first two to six months of ownership in two distinct categories: design-related problems and defects and malfunctions. The overall initial quality score is determined by problems reported per 100 vehicles, with a lower number of problems indicating higher quality.
In total, 14 vehicle segments are eligible for awards in the 2014 China Initial Quality Study. BAIC’s A113/A115 was the highest ranked in the compact car segment which shows that the comprehensive quality of A113/A115 has been recognized by consumers and the A113/A115 has become the most trustworthy model in the compact car segment of the Chinese market.
As the compact sedan of BAIC, the A113/A115 ranked top of its class thanks to its fashionable design, intelligent technology, superior safety and flexible space. The A113/A115 was launched in China in March 2012, and has been consistently praised for excellent quality and performance.
The BAIC Group is one of China’s five major automotive groups. It is primarily engaged in vehicle manufacturing, parts, service trade, development, and reform and adjustment. With its headquarters located in Beijing and at the Turin Styling Centre in Italy, BAIC Group is one of China’s most complete and advanced automotive groups. In 2013, BAIC Group reached an operating income of 266.3 billion Yuan. In 2014, BAIC Group ranked 248 in the Fortune Global 500 list. In the Philippines, BAIC is distributed by Bayan Automotive Industries Corporation.
Bayan Automotive Industries Corporation (Bayan Auto) is a subsidiary of Universal Motors Corporation, (UMC), the country’s largest and oldest 100-percent Filipino-owned automotive assembler and distributor and has 60 solid years of experience in the local automotive industry. Bayan Auto is responsible for the distribution and sales of BAIC passenger cars, SUVs and commercial vehicles, marketing, dealer operations, and after sales service for BAIC vehicles in the Philippines.