Chinese consumers rated the GM Wuling brand as less reliable than average in the recently released J.D. Power 2024 China Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), reporting 217 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) for the mini-car and automotive subsidiary.
While Chinese domestic brands had more problems on average than foreign-owned brands at 207 PP100, Wuling had 10 more reported issues than this for 2024.
Additionally, the GM subsidiary performed somewhat worse in the China VDS than it did last year. At that time, consumers reported 211 PP100, meaning 6 more problems on average for this year. Nevertheless, Wuling was below average then, too, with 202 problems as the typical number for a Chinese domestic brand.
Looking at mass-market brands regardless of origin, Wuling is even further below the 193 PP100 rating average. However, its vehicles took first, second, and third place for having the least problems in the Compact MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) segment, with the Hongguang S3, Hongguang V and Hongguang S taking the top three spots.
The China VDS rates vehicles by calculating a PP100 score for each model and brand. Lower scores mean fewer problems and therefore better vehicle quality and customer satisfaction. Many of the problems registered for 2024 are related to infotainment system failures, including failed pairing with various devices and touchscreen issues. Women experienced more problems across the board, and Chinese brands struggled with exterior issues as well.
According to one of the general managers of J.D. Power China, Elvis Yang, “the decline in China’s vehicle dependability performance in 2024 should serve as a wake-up call for automakers.” Identifying the main cause revealed by research, he said “the pace of new model launches in the Chinese market has accelerated and development cycles have continuously shortened.”
Wuling was one of 44 brands included in the study, which drew responses from 33,317 Chinese automotive consumers. All of the respondents had bought a new vehicle between the start of 2020 and mid-summer 2023. The study was fielded in 81 different large Chinese cities for maximum scope and breadth.
Comments
Well, if GM reliability in the US is average and we don’t have the el cheapos, what did you expect?
GM typically beats your beloved Toyoda and Hondo in the US.