Diesel vehicles in India show improvement in initial quality

The 2014 India Diesel Vehicle Study conducted by automobile market researcher JD Power Asia Pacific, is based on evaluations from 8,429 vehicle owners who purchased a new diesel vehicle between November 2013 and July 2014. 

This study which is now in its 18th year measures problems experienced by vehicle owners during the first two to six months in 200 different problem symptoms across eight vehicle categories which include vehicle exterior, driving experience, features, controls and displays, audio and entertainment, seats, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), vehicle interior, engine, and transmission.

The findings reveal that the initial quality of diesel vehicles has improved as the number of problems with these vehicles have decreased to 96 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) in 2014 from 148 PP100 in 2010. The study also reveals that the overall dependability is based on the number of problems reported per 100 vehicles, with a lower score reflecting higher long-term vehicle quality.

The study also finds that the median kilometres driven by diesel vehicle owners in India have decreased in 2014 by 22 per cent since 2010. This reduction in usage has contributed to a 24 PP100 decrease in usage-related problem symptoms such as doors are hard to open or door handle is broken/not working as opposed to 48 PP100 in 2010.