Audi A4 mentioned in Total Quality Survey

["Sean Ford" <sean@nwh.org>]

I know how the list feels about certain "quality surveys", but this one
mentions the A4 in a favorable light so I thought I'd send it out:

"SAN DIEGO, April 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Unless problems are serious or are not
fixed, new vehicle owners today are more concerned with the pluses of
buying,
owning and driving their cars and trucks than with defects, according to
Strategic Vision, Inc.
    The San Diego-based research firm measures all parts of the ownership
experience in tabulating winners of its 1997 Total Quality Award(TM),
announced today.  The leaders in each category are:

    Small Car                    Volkswagen Jetta
    Compact Car                  Toyota Camry
    Mid-Size Car                 Pontiac Grand Prix Sedan
    Large Car                    Pontiac Bonneville
    Lower-Price Sports Car       Dodge Avenger/Saturn Coupe (TIE)
    Mid-Specialty Car            Pontiac Grand Prix Coupe
    Near Luxury Car              Lexus ES 300/Audi A4 (TIE)
    Luxury Car                   BMW 7 Series
    Lower Price Convertible      Chrysler Sebring
    Minivan                      Chrysler Town and Country
    Medium SUV                   Toyota 4 Runner
    Large SUV                    Ford Expedition
    Compact Pickup               Dodge Dakota
    Full-Size Pickup             Dodge Ram

    Audi A4/Lexus ES 300:  Audi A4 combines European roadability and
handling
with outstanding exterior craftsmanship and style.  The ES 300 delivers the
Lexus experience of craftsmanship and reliability, then adds quietness,
handling, power and a superior dealership experience.  With more interior
roominess, A4 would have bested the ES 300".

Interesting note... the A4 is about $5000 less than the ES 300
   

Sean Ford
sean@nwh.org
Newton-Wellesley Hospital
Newton, MA  02162 (USA)
'92 Audi 100CS 5spd  19K miles (and counting)
'89 Suzuki Katana 600 14K miles (out and about, and running strong)