"New-vehicle buyers are looking for the latest technologies in audio systems, and the presence of features such as satellite radio and navigation systems will only increase as manufacturers try to meet consumer demand," said Allison LaDuc, senior research manager of automotive product quality at J.D. Power and Associates. "For instance, nearly 60 percent of consumers say they want a navigation system on their next vehicle, and 66 percent of consumers want the ability to play MP3 files. To meet or exceed consumer expectations, manufacturers will need to focus on incorporating high-tech features in multimedia systems while avoiding increases in problem levels."
The study evaluates owner experiences with the quality, design satisfaction and features of automotive multimedia systems in their new vehicles. Problems are measured per 100 vehicles (PP100). A lower PP100 score indicates higher quality. Twenty-eight different multimedia permutations are evaluated, which include different combinations of the following systems: AM/FM radio; cassette player; single CD player; multiple CD changer; navigation system; and satellite radio. Multimedia system suppliers are ranked based on the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100) in four segments: AM/FM/single CD player, AM/FM/multi-CD changer, AM/FM/single CD player/satellite radio and AM/FM/multi-CD changer/satellite radio.
Alpine Electronics of America ranks highest in the AM/FM/single CD player segment with an overall PP100 score of 2.6, marking an improvement of 1.3 PP100 from 2007. Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America (4.4 PP100) follows Alpine in the rankings, while Clarion Corp. of America and Continental Corp. tie to rank third with 4.5 PP100.
In the AM/FM/multi-CD changer segment, Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America ranks highest with an overall PP100 score of 4.3, followed by Pioneer (4.6 PP100). SANYO Automotive U.S.A. ranks third with 5.0 PP100.
Delphi Corp. ranks highest in the AM/FM/single CD player/satellite radio segment with an overall PP100 score of 2.7. Visteon Corp. (3.6 PP100) and Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America (4.1 PP100) follow in the rankings.
Ranking highest in the AM/FM/multi-CD changer/satellite radio segment is Clarion Corp. with an overall PP100 score of 5.4, followed by Delphi Corp. (5.6 PP100) and Visteon Corp. (6.0 PP100).
The study also finds that, for a third consecutive year, the three most commonly reported multimedia problems are front audio/entertainment system controls difficult to understand/difficult to use/poor location; navigation system map/wrong directions/poor location; and AM/FM radio poor/no reception. These issues account for nearly 60 percent of the total reported multimedia problems.
The 2008 Multimedia Quality and Satisfaction Study is based on responses from 81,530 new-vehicle owners who purchased a 2008 model-year vehicle. The study was fielded between February and April 2008.
