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The number of overall industry problems in China is 180 problems per 100 (PP100) vehicles, the same number of problems as the 2022 study, according to the J.D. Power 2023 China Vehicle Dependability StudySM (VDS), just released.* The study, now in its 14th year, measures the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles during the past six months by owners of 13- to 48-month-old vehicles. As in other Power studies, a lower score reflects higher vehicle quality.
“Although manufacturers regard quality above everything else, some do not pay enough attention to quality after the warranty period,” said Elvis Yang, general manager of auto product practice at J.D. Power China. “However, such problems directly affect owners’ concerns about the long-term dependability and durable quality of their vehicle. Manufacturers need to pay more attention to long-term quality and improve quality management standards.” Continue reading
Mixed Signals in October US Transportation Employment
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The unemployment rate* in the U.S. transportation sector was 4.8% (not seasonally adjusted) in October 2023 according to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In October 2023, the transportation sector unemployment rate rose 1.1 percentage points from 3.7% in October 2022 and was above the pre-pandemic October 2019 level of 2.7% but still below the October 2020 and October 2021 rates. Unemployment in the transportation sector reached its highest level during the COVID-19 pandemic (15.7%) in May 2020 and July 2020.
Seasonally adjusted, employment in the transportation and warehousing sector fell to 6,686,200 in October 2023 – down 0.2% from the previous month and down 0.8% from October 2022. Employment in transportation and warehousing grew 16.9% in October 2023 from the pre-pandemic October 2019 level of 5,717,900. Continue reading →