By Zlati Meyer; Detroit Free Press ~ Oct 26, 2010

General Motors has revved up its reliability.

The Detroit automaker improved its ratings in the Consumer Reports 2010 Annual Auto Survey more than any other American automaker.

·         Read the Consumer Reports article: Latest data shows GM getting its act together (PDF, 2MB)

GM still ranks behind Toyota, Honda and Ford, according to the trusted magazine, which released its findings Tuesday at an Automotive Press Association luncheon in Detroit.

But GM's new lineup, which includes the reliable Chevrolet Camaro and Equinox, Buick LaCrosse and Cadillac SRX, as well as nixing a trio of brands with poor reliability rankings, Hummer, Pontiac and Saturn, helped GM improve.

Sixty-nine percent of GM models had average or better reliability in the latest survey, with 83% of GM's Chevrolet brand vehicles earning average or better scores in predicted reliability. Last year, only half of Chevy's brands did that.

GM had vowed to improve its vehicles' standing with Consumer Reports, which influences many consumers.

"We're happy with the improvement, but we're not done at all," said Dan Nicholson, vice president of global quality. "We're not going to be satisfied until all of our vehicles are on the Consumer Reports recommended list."

Different domestic performances

Ford, meanwhile, can now boast that 90% of its cars have average or better reliability - with special praise for the Fusion and Flex with EcoBoost.

"Ford still dominates in terms of domestic automakers," David Champion, Consumer Reports' auto test director, said. "They've improved their vehicles year after year after year after year … It's getting up there close to … Toyota is."

Mike Hardie, Ford's director of quality, said Ford was "absolutely thrilled to continue with the high reliability we've had in the past."

Crosstown rival Chrysler, however, continues to struggle in the survey; it was the worst brand for average predicted reliability.

"They're still trailing," Champion said. "Their product line is dated."

Chrysler said it expects that to change next year. "More than 75% of our product line-up is all-new or significantly improved," for 2011, said Doug Betts, Chrysler's senior vice president for quality. The automaker said it anticipates "third-party reviewers like Consumer Reports, will appreciate the new level of interior refinement, enhanced vehicle performance and overall quality improvements."

Foreign automakers

From a worldwide perspective, Toyota continues to rule despite its recent recall scandals. It landed in the top spot for five categories. It's Sienna was the only recommended minivan on the market, for example. Questions of safety, particularly anti-lock brake issues, hurt this Japanese automaker on its 2010 Prius ranking, which dropped to average.

"Toyota, despite recalls this year, remain reliable overall," Champion said.

In a statement, Toyota said it was "encouraged that Consumer Reports is reinstating recommendations on eight Toyota models and appreciate this recognition of the progress Toyota and its dealers have made in addressing recent recalls."

The survey also found all Honda's vehicles scored high.

Champion applauded another Asian car manufacturer's showing this year, too: "Hyundai and Kia continue to make extraordinary progress from where they've been."

Heading for the reliability exit ramp were several of luxury car makers, including BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi. Champion called Volvo and Porsche improving automakers and pointed out Volkswagen's good showing with the Golf and Jetta.

Contact Zlati Meyer: 313-223-4439 or [email protected]