GM - the new King of Quality

General Motors is the new "King of Quality" based on the Initial Quality Study recently released by J.D. Power and Associates. This marks the first time that GM has claimed the top spot in quality among its competing automotive manufacturers.

The annual study measures the number of problems reported during the first 90 days of ownership of a new 2013 vehicle. GM's four brands averaged 98 problems per 100 vehicles, making it the only automaker with less than one problem per new car.

Furthermore, GM placed two brands - Chevrolet and GMC - in the top five of the study. GMC ranked #2 while Chevrolet ranked #5. Cadillac tied for 13th and Buick tied for 15th. All GM brands finished above industry average.

Check out the complete results below:

BRAND RANKING
Average problems per 100 vehicles of whole line:

• Porsche 80
• GMC 90
• Lexus 94
• Infiniti 95
• Chevrolet 97
• Acura 102
• Toyota 102
• Honda 103
• Jaguar 104
• Hyundai 106
• Kia 106
• Mercedes-Benz 106
• Audi 108
• Cadillac 108
• Buick 109
• Chrysler 109
• Lincoln 113
• INDUSTRY AVERAGE 113
• BMW 114
• Volvo 114
• Smart 115
• Land Rover 116
• Jeep 118
• Volkswagen 120
• Mazda 125
• Subaru 128
• Dodge 130
• Ford 131
• Ram 132
• Mini 135
• Nissan 142
• Mitsubishi 148
• Fiat 154
• Scion 161

TOP 3 CARS BY TYPE
In order by fewest problems per 100 vehicles (fewer than three means no others beat the segment average):

• City Car: Smart Fortwo, Chevrolet Spark
• Subcompact car: Mazda2, Hyundai Accent, Honda Fit
• Compact car: Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Honda Insight
• Compact Sporty Car: Mazda MX-5 Miata, Volkswagen Eos, VW GTI
• Compact Premium Car: Acura TL, Infiniti G, Cadillac CTS
• Compact Premium Sporty Car: Porsche Boxster, Nissan Z, BMW Z4
• Midsize car: Toyota Camry, Hyundai Sonata, Buick Regal
• Midsize Sporty Car: Chevrolet Camaro (tie), Ford Mustang (tie)
• Midsize Premium Car: Hyundai Genesis sedan, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Jaguar XF (tie), Lexus GS (tie)
• Midsize Premium Sporty Car: Porsche 911
• Large Car: Chevrolet Impala, Hyundai Azera, Chrysler 300
• Large Premium Car: Lexus LS, Audi A8, Porsche Panamera

TOP 3 CROSSOVERS (CUV), VANS, TRUCKS BY TYPE

• Sub-compact CUV: Buick Encore (tie), Kia Sportage (tie), Nissan Juke
• Compact CUV: Honda CR-V, Toyota FJ Cruiser, Chevrolet Equinox
• Compact Premium CUV: Mercedes-Benz GLK, Audi Allroad, Acura RDX
• Compact Multipurpose Vehicle: Kia Soul, Mazda5
• Midsize CUV: Nissan Murano, Buick Enclave, Hyundai Santa Fe
• Midsize Premium CUV: Infiniti FX, Lexus GX, Porsche Cayenne
• Minivan: Chrysler Town & Country, Honda Odyssey
• Large CUV: Chevrolet Tahoe, Toyota Sequoia
• Large Premium CUV: Cadillac Escalade, Mercedes-Benz GL Class
• Large Light-Duty Pickup: Chevrolet Avalanche (tie), GMC Sierra (tie), Chevrolet Silverado
• Large Heavy-Duty Pickup: Chevrolet Silverado HD, GMC Sierra HD

Tech Toolbox: Most important tool

What is in a technician’s tool box? Do you visualize the latest touch screen computerized diagnostic tools neatly stowed among rows of various adapters and chords? Maybe you imagine gleaming chrome wrenches, meticulously organized by size. 

Opening a technician’s tool box drawer by drawer you would find tools for all jobs; however, the most important tool for a technician is missing. It is the most costly tool, but cannot be bought with money. The most important tool that all technicians bring to work with them is their knowledge.

The physical tools themselves may be of the highest quality, but they do not know which part is malfunctioning and needs replacement. It is all of the factual education mixed with lessons learned from experience that makes Everett’s technicians a cut above the rest. Everett Certified Service personnel attend classes specific to General Motors products.

In addition to General Motors technical certifications, Everett Certified Service technicians are also certified by the Automotive Service Excellence program (ASE).

ASE was started in 1972 as a way to test the knowledge of technicians. To receive an ASE certification, a technician must pass a written test and have at least two years of experience in the automotive field. The ASE blue seal is a symbol worn as proof that a technician has the most important tool of all: knowledge. 

With the constant change in automotive technology comes the need for constant education for technicians. Both GM training and ASE certification require annual renewal to ensure technicians are up to date on the latest technology.

Everett Certified Service means just that. Our technician’s maintain certification by both General Motors and ASE. The Everett service team is the most knowledgeable in the business and that’s what makes us better.

We look forward to providing you and your vehicle with Certified Service!

David Gibbs
Certified Service Technician
Everett Chevrolet Buick GMC

Rehagen of Everett Chevrolet Buick GMC Named GM World Class Technician

Rehagen (center), the Everett Team and GM Reps

Out of the more than 28,000 Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac service technicians across the United States, Eric Rehagen of Everett Chevrolet Buick GMC is one of only 1,884 service technicians to achieve the elite status of General Motors World Class Technician. At an award ceremony held at the dealership on July 13th, 2012, Rehagen was presented with a Congratulatory Letter of Achievement, GM World Class Technician Patch and World Class Technician Statue.

Eric Rehagen, GM World Class Technician

 

The GM World Class Technician program takes service training to a whole new level “above” Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) industry training by adding comprehensive Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) training. General Motors service technicians have the unique opportunity to become World Class Technicians in the GM Service Technical College program.

 

“Eric has the rare qualities it takes to become a World Class Technician – dedication, commitment and most importantly a passion for the work he does. His career choice is more than just a job,” says Ed Jenkins, Service Manager at Everett Chevrolet Buick GMC. 

 

"Eric Rehagen is truly the best of the best, and we are proud to have him on our team helping us provide a truly exceptional customer experience for Hickory drivers,” says David Everett, Owner and President of Everett Chevrolet Buick GMC.

 

To become a World Class Technician, Rehagen completed more than 540 hours of training and achieved ASE and GM Master Technician certification in eight technical categories, including:

• Electrical/Electronics
• Engine Repair
• Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
• Brakes ASE Certification
• Steering and Suspension
• Manual Drivetrain and Axle
• Automatic Transmission and Transaxle
• Engine Performance or Diesel Engine Performance

A service technician can achieve GM World Class Technician status in two areas: Mechanical and Body, where both can be achieved when a technician successfully completes all related GM Service Technical College training and the appropriate GM Master Technician Certifications.

 

With this distinction, Rehagen joins an elite group of Certified Service experts. Everett Chevrolet Buick GMC of Hickory is proud to acknowledge Eric Rehagen as a GM World Class Technician.

Welcome

Welcome to the new Everett Auto Team blog! We are excited to share more information with our customers and car shoppers. Our intent with this blog is to continue open dialogue with car enthusiasts across America and beyond. We look forward to "talking shop" and telling you more about Everett Auto Team.