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Chevrolet Cobalt: Reviews (Car & Driver, Edmunds, etc.)

43 messages,  Last post on May 31, 2008 at 10:13 PM

You are in the Chevrolet Cobalt Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Cobalt, Automotive News, Coupe, Sedan

Messages Page 3 of 5

#14 of 43 Re: Cobalt sedan sales [poncho167] by ray_h1

Sep 14, 2006 (12:23 pm)

Replying to: poncho167 (Sep 14, 2006 11:21 am)
Let's see... Consumer Reports surveys are paid for by subscription revenue and conducted among CR subscribers who've bought the car(s) being surveyed. On the other hand, J.D. Powers & Associates surveys are paid for by the automakers and conducted among owners who've bought the car(s) being surveyed and received an extra free tank of gas from the dealership for a perfect score. Yep, obviously the only conclusion that can be drawn is that CR surveys are irrevocably skewed and suspect. Good call, poncho167...

#15 of 43 JD Power Re: Cobalt sedan sales [ray_h1] by moparbad

Sep 19, 2006 (1:18 pm)

Replying to: ray_h1 (Sep 14, 2006 12:23 pm)
Incorrect, False, Wrong, Misleading!
quote ray_h1 -On the other hand, J.D. Powers & Associates surveys are paid for by the automakers and conducted among owners who've bought the car(s) being surveyed and received an extra free tank of gas from the dealership for a perfect score. -end
 
JD Powers funds all of it's own syndicated research, the automakers do not fund the research.
JD Powers conducts it's automotive research using a larger sample size of owners than does CR, which decreases error.
JD Powers also does not limit itself to one demographic group (such as subscribers to Consumer Reports).

#16 of 43 Re: JD Power Re: Cobalt sedan sales [moparbad] by ray_h1

Sep 20, 2006 (9:56 am)

Replying to: moparbad (Sep 19, 2006 1:18 pm)
Enjoy your delusions. There was nothing "Incorrect, False, Wrong, Misleading!" at all in my post, your breathless, tabloid-style headline notwithstanding. However, you seem to have a problem acurately researching your dubious "information". J.D. Power & Associates is NOT an independently funded consumer advocacy operation. It's a for-profit marketing information firm that initially funds its research, but then sells (licenses) its findings to the companies, whose products are surveyed, to use the surveyed information in their own advertising. Ultimately, therefore, it is the companies, themselves, which sell the surveyed products, who fund J.D. Powers & Associates operations, not J.D. Powers & Associates parent company, publishing giant, McGraw-Hill. Still doubtful? According to Hoovers (an unrelated company which investigates and reports on corporate operations and methodology):
 
"Marketing information firm J.D. Power and Associates (best known for its car ratings) awards badges of excellence in dozens of categories based on yearly customer satisfaction surveys. Its studies are independently financed and then sold for use in marketing."
 
I don't doubt for one moment that Consumer Reports testing methodology and reporting skills leave something to be desired in some instances (particularly in vehicle tests), but the organization's integrity is beyond reproach. Their surveys also list the areas of quality concerns on a sliding scale which neither auto enthusiast magazines nor J.D. Powers make any effort to take into consideration. (But, then, that would impact their advertising revenue in the first case or sales to their corporate clients in the second case, wouldn't it? )

#18 of 43 Re: JD Power Re: Cobalt sedan sales [ray_h1] by moparbad

Sep 20, 2006 (4:00 pm)

Replying to: ray_h1 (Sep 20, 2006 9:56 am)
don't doubt for one moment that Consumer Reports testing methodology and reporting skills leave something to be desired in some instances (particularly in vehicle tests), but the organization's integrity is beyond reproach
 
It is not their integrity that is question, it is their competency that is in question. And I am happy to see that you agree.
 
Do you honestly think that small sample size and only obtaining survey data from those who fund Consumers Union is a sound basis of obtaining accurrate, unbiased information?
 
Perhaps you believe that JD Powers surveys are biased toward Chevrolet Cobalt since you are implying that the auto manufacturers are somehow paying for great ratings. Chevrolet's payment must have bounced since the Cobalt and it's predecessor the Cavalier are poorly rated.

#19 of 43 Re: JD Power Re: Cobalt sedan sales [moparbad] by ray_h1

Sep 21, 2006 (6:37 am)

Replying to: moparbad (Sep 20, 2006 4:00 pm)
I think this discussion was stillborn with your first post. Move on.

#20 of 43 Re: JD Power Re: Cobalt sedan sales [moparbad] by poncho167

Sep 21, 2006 (7:58 am)

Replying to: moparbad (Sep 20, 2006 4:00 pm)
Come on, a lot of us already know that CR and car tests/information is questionible. CR seems to be very good on the other hand with less technical evaluations such as grills, pressure washers, and laundry detergents though.

#21 of 43 Re: JD Power Re: Cobalt sedan sales [poncho167] by venus537

Oct 07, 2006 (5:28 pm)

Replying to: poncho167 (Sep 21, 2006 7:58 am)
"Come on, a lot of us already know that CR and car tests/information is questionible."
 
Yeah, that would be those who have a blind bias towards GM vehicles. I believe their top tested vehicles in this segment are the Civic, Mazda 3 and Focus. Seems on target to me.
 
As far as having "car" guys evaluating the handling of cars, they're competent as is. They appreciate the driving feel of a BMW as much as the next guy.
 
My biggest beef with JD Powers is all "problems" are given the same weight. Not to say Powers doesn't have value, the automakers do pay for their data afterall.

#22 of 43 Re: JD Power Re: Cobalt sedan sales [venus537] by poncho167

Oct 08, 2006 (9:44 am)

Replying to: venus537 (Oct 07, 2006 5:28 pm)
I have read enough auto evaluations in CR to know that they don't have a clue. I find their testers unprofessional in evaluations with very novice type comments. It wouldn't surprise me if some of their writers still kick tires. I also find them pretty obviously biased toward imports and don't compare apples to apples, etc.

#23 of 43 Re: JD Power Re: Cobalt sedan sales [poncho167] by venus537

Oct 08, 2006 (3:58 pm)

Replying to: poncho167 (Oct 08, 2006 9:44 am)
"I also find them pretty obviously biased toward imports..."
 
And they differ from this supposed bias from other auto publications how? They're certainly not alone in rating cars such as the Civic and Mazda 3 above the Cobalt.
 
They're road tests are more comprehensive and thorough than enthusiast and other magazines. I don't read the magazine regularly but I don't recall any unprofessional and novice comments.

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