Nam Hyun-woo has worked as a staff writer at The Korea Times since 2013, mostly covering business and politics. He currently belongs to the Business Desk where he covers topics such as emerging tech, AI, ICT and Korea's chaebol community. Prior to joining the team, he was the paper's correspondent for the presidential office of Korea during the Yoon Suk Yeol and Moon Jae-in administrations.
Genesis, Kia, Hyundai sweep J.D. Power quality titles
Genesis America Chief Operating Officer Erwin Raphael, right, shakes hands with J.D. Power Vice President Michael Battaglia after Genesis was named a top quality brand in the 2019 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study. / Courtesy of Genesis
By Nam Hyun-woo
By Nam Hyun-woo
Genesis, Kia Motors and Hyundai Motor were named the top three quality brands in the J.D. Power 2019 Initial Quality Study, the U.S. car ratings firm announced Thursday.
In this year's ratings, six Hyundai Motor Group cars won quality awards, making the automaker the most awarded company.
According to the announcement, Genesis logged a score of 63 problems experienced per 100 vehicles. This led Genesis to finish first in both the premium segment and the industry overall in this year's ratings.
J.D. Power measured initial quality by collecting complaints from purchasers and lessees after a minimum 90 days of ownership of cars retailed between November last year and February this year.
With the score of 63, Genesis was named the top brand overall for the second consecutive year, and No. 1 in the premium segment for the third consecutive year.
Following Genesis was Kia Motors with 70, Hyundai Motor with 71, Ford with 83 and Lincoln with 84.
Kia Motors was also named as the best quality mass market brand in this year's ratings. The brand has been leading the mass market segment for five straight years.
By cars, Genesis' G70, Hyundai Motor's Santa Fe and four Kia Motors cars ― the Rio, the K3, the Sportage and the Carnival ― were each named segment winners.
The Genesis G70 / Courtesy of Genesis