Car Buyer's Notebook

Same goes at General Motors. We have more than a plan and we’re intensely working toward flawless quality. Now, there’s no magical destination, or well, maybe there is a magical destination but it keeps moving. So, it’s impossible to actually reach the goal, but not futile to try. Make sense? No matter, the point really is that the quality of GM products is steadily rising. Sure, I’m biased, but have good reason to be …

In the past few years we’ve steadily improved our quality. Not just because I deem it so, but because of a lot of hard work by many people. Don’t take my word for it. Go ahead and look up third party references.

Our gains in quality are real and we’re doing more than just hoping they continue. For instance, on the new Chevy Malibu we drove 500 test vehicles a total of 3 million miles before a customer could drive it even one mile. Every day during this time, we used OnStar to do an on-board diagnostic test, which is similar to a daily check-up, to make sure that when customers get behind the wheel of the Malibu, they are completely satisfied with quality of this car.

Now, grab a cup of coffee or an energy drink ’cause here comes the "corp speak" … Our game plan to achieve leading quality in all our vehicle segments includes a number of common processes, across many functions and around the globe and increased discipline in the vehicle development process. That means everything from designing for aesthetics as well as manufacturability. It means we line up the best suppliers and follow standardized work processes. It even means that we take action to enhance the customer experience at the showroom.

If you haven’t lately, try some of our hot new products out such as the Chevrolet Malibu, Saturn Astra, Pontiac Vibe, Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, Cadillac CTS and Saab 9-5, among many, many others. You’ll like what you drive. Of course, again, I’m biased, but then I have good reason to be. I hope you agree.