AFSCME 3357-HOF'S BLOG

Consumer Reports Drops Camry from "Recommended" List
Ford's Quality improvement is "real and sustained"

Detnews.com (check out the snazzy new graphics) has posted a story stating that Consumer Reports magazine is dropping the V-6 version of the Toyota Camry from its "Recommended" list after owner reports suggested below average reliability for its redesigned 2007 model. Transmission problems were to blame for the Camry's fall. The 4wd version of the Tundra pick-up and AWD Lexus GS sedan also skidded to below-average. More critically to Toyota, at this point Consumer Reports will not give redesigned Toyota's a recommended rating based upon a presumption of reliability, a presumption that has long been touted as unfair by critics.

Whereas Toyota fell in Consumer Reports' rankings, Ford came out smelling like a rose. Ford's reliability ratings went up to a level where it is actually more competetive with Toyota and Honda than with GM and Chrysler. The Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan were touted by CR "most reliable" from their inception. The latest report confirms that this was no fluke, these models continue to be very reliable, and Fords as a group are doing well.