WEST BLOOMFIELD, Mich., PRNewswire/ -- Truedelta.com, the new automotive website that provides fast, accurate vehicle reliability, pricing and fuel economy information has announced the latest results of its Vehicle Reliability Survey (VRS.)
The results capture owner experiences through the end of March 2007 and reflect TrueDelta's ability to provide car buyers with reliability information in a more timely manner than competitors. The results also include reliability data that is freely available to the public for the first time on two, new-for 2007 models: the Nissan Versa and Saturn Aura.
"Others won't have reliability information on those models available until November," explained Michael Karesh, developer of TrueDelta.com. "Over the course of the year, TrueDelta's data will average more than ten months ahead of others, and we think access to fresh reliability data is important to consumers considering the purchase of a new car."
Results Show Margins of Difference
Because most reliability information is generally reported in terms of relative ratings, the actual sizes of differences can be unclear and what can appear to be a significant difference is often minor in reality.
"As a result, people often tend to think vehicles require more repairs than they actually do," says Karesh.
TrueDelta.com reports reliability as an absolute number -- or VRS score -- based on repair trips per year and as these results demonstrate, the variance between models is often very slim. The most reliable models achieve about a 0.6 VRS score. This means a group of ten cars would likely require six repair trips in a given year. In comparison, the least reliable models achieve about a 1.0 VRS score. Statistically, this means a group of ten cars would likely require ten repair trips for the year.
"So, while one can say that from "best" to "worst", the repair rate roughly quadruples, the reality is that we're only talking about the chances of requiring a single repair trip in a given year, " Karesh explained.
By using an absolute number, TrueDelta presents a far more accurate view of repair rates and as the quarterly reliability data shows, the difference in vehicle reliability between models is very narrow.
Initial Nissan Versa and Saturn Aura Data In
TrueDelta tracks and updates reliability data quarterly. This allows results for early, new-model introductions to be presented as much as ten months earlier than TrueDelta's competitors. The Nissan Versa and Saturn Aura are two such models.
Initial results for the Nissan Versa indicate a relatively high repair rate of about a 1.1 VRS score. One common, minor failure was largely responsible. The Saturn Aura fared better with about a 0.6 VRS score for a range of minor problems. In practical terms, this means that for every ten Versas, there could be ten trips to a repair facility within a year, compared to six trips for every ten Auras.
"Such initial problems are not uncommon with new models," explained Karesh. "TrueDelta has observed steady declines in the repair rates for some new models as manufacturers make running changes to address common issues. For example, six months ago another vehicle in the survey scored a 1.1 VRS and in the latest results, improved to 0.6 VRS."
With TrueDelta's quarterly updates, any changes in a model's reliability are captured and reported with the results for the quarter in which the change occurred. TrueDelta's next quarterly update through June 30, 2007 will be announced in August.
TrueDelta's Database Continues to Grow
TrueDelta uses the Internet to connect with a broad spectrum of vehicle owners who join TrueDelta as vehicle information "panelists" and provide TrueDelta's data through online surveys. In exchange for their participation, these vehicle owners receive full access to TrueDelta's quarterly results free of charge.
These participating vehicle owners provide a base of more than 14,000 vehicles that has been growing by more than 1,000 vehicles per month. This growth is due in part to support from on-line enthusiast websites such as NICOclub.com, a forum for Nissan Infiniti owners. Because of their support, the Nissan Versa became the first 2007 model with more than 100 vehicles in the database.
Because of this growth and the ever-increasing range of vehicles in the panel, TrueDelta will release results for additional new models in its August quarterly update. The new models will include: the 2007 Acura MDX, GMC Acadia, Nissan Altima, and Saturn Outlook. Results are also likely for the 2007 Honda CR-V, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Infiniti G35.
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