The J.D. Power 2023 China Vehicle Dependability Study shows SAIC-GM-Wuling brands Baojun and Wuling ranking well below average for quality and dependability in the mass-market brands segment, based on feedback from Chinese vehicle owners.
The study also ranks the two brands on its Chinese domestic brands segment, where Baojun is slightly above average and Wuling again comes in far below the segment average.
The dependability study ranks brands based on the number of reported problems per 100 vehicles, or PP100. A lower PP100 score means a more dependable, higher quality vehicle since it indicates fewer reported problems, while a higher PP100 score shows a more problematic and less dependable vehicle.
Wuling has a PP100 score of 211, while Baojun has 200 problems per 100 vehicles. The average for the mass-market brands segment is 187 PP100, putting the twin GM brands well behind the curve. Their scores are somewhat less low-ranking among Chinese domestic brands, where the segment average is 202 problems.
Overall, vehicle dependability has remained about the same compared to 2022 among those brands sold in China. The study indicates 180 problems per 100 vehicles for both 2023 and 2022 when complaints are averaged out over the entire Chinese automotive market.
However, certain types of problems are on the rise. Malfunctions are occurring with considerably more frequency in the areas of seats, interior, and climate control. However, design problems are less common in 2023 than in 2022.
J.D. Power notes the study “covers 177 specific problems grouped into nine major vehicle categories: exterior; interior; driving experience; features/controls/displays (FCD); infotainment; climate; seats; powertrain; and driving assistance.”
The J.D. Power China general manager of auto product practice Elvis Yang made several observations based on the dependability data. He pointed out that certain carmakers “do not pay enough attention to quality after the warranty period,” and that these lapses “directly affect owners’ concerns about the long-term dependability and durable quality of their vehicle.”
Yang concluded that “manufacturers need to pay more attention to long-term quality and improve quality management standards.” The study highlights four particular areas of concern that automakers should look to improve urgently:
- Poor quality blind-spot monitoring
- Easily-smudged parking camera lenses
- Inaccurate front collision warning systems
- Unstable cruise control
Wuling and Baojun are two of 46 brands included in the study, which ran from January to June 2023 inclusively. Data was gathered from 37,973 vehicle owners and focused on vehicles bought between December 2018 and May 2022, meaning the latest models are likely not included in the conclusions.
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