Bill Pierre Ford

Toyota Motor Corp. suffered a dramatic drop in a closely watched automotive-quality study, while Ford Motor Co. posted one of the top scores, a reflection of the recent fortunes of the two auto makers.

The Japanese company’s Toyota brand has been a perennial leader in the J.D. Power & Associates annual Initial Quality Survey. But in the 2010 study, Toyota was rated below average, falling to 21st place from seventh the year before, and trailed several U.S. nameplates it has traditionally bested, including Ford, Cadillac, Chevrolet and Lincoln.

Ford, which has risen steadily for the last several years, was ranked fifth overall, and was topped only by four luxury brands.

Toyota’s reputation was hurt earlier this year by a massive recall related to defects that could cause the company’s cars to accelerate on their own. Ford managed to return to profitability without needing a bailout by the federal government, boosting its standing with many Americans.

The rankings are based on responses of 82,000 people who were surveyed within 90 days of buying or leasing a vehicle from the 2010 model year. The survey was conducted between February and May.

Porsche, which is owned by Volkswagen AG, ranked first in the survey, with only 83 complaints per 100 vehicles. It was followed by Honda Motor Co.’s Acura brand, Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz and Toyota’s Lexus division.

Ford had 93 problems per 100 vehicles, a slight improvement over 2009, when it ranked eighth and owners found 102 problems in every 100 vehicles. “We’ve really been working hard on this,” said William C. Ford Jr., the company’s chairman, at a conference organized in New York by The Wall Street Journal.

After Ford came Honda, Hyundai Motor Co., Lincoln, Nissan Motor Co.’s Infiniti, and Volvo, all finishing better than the industry average of 109 issues per 100 vehicles.

Participants in the survey reported 117 problems per 100 Toyota vehicles. In the 2009 survey, the Toyota brand was ranked seventh overall, with 101 problems per 100 vehicles, which was better than the industry average of 108 for that year.

Dave Sargent, vice president of global vehicle research at J.D. Power, said the company’s recall and quality troubles earlier this year affected owners’ view of the company. Just before the survey started, Toyota recalled more than eight million vehicles globally and came under intense scrutiny for its handling of defects and complaints of sudden acceleration.

The company was eventually fined $16.4 million by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in connection with the matter. “Clearly, Toyota has endured a difficult year,” Mr. Sargent said. “Recent consumer concerns regarding Toyota’s quality are reflected in the nameplate’s performance in the 2010 study.”

General Motors Co. and Chrysler Group LLC, which were reorganized in bankruptcy with the help of billions of dollars in taxpayer aid last year, had all of their brands finish below the industry average. This was a reversal for GM’s Chevrolet and Cadillac divisions, both of which ranked in the top half in 2009.

Chrysler’s Ram brand, which includes its Ram pickup trucks, was close to the average with 110 problems per 100 vehicles. But the Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep brands were all well below average.

• 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid receives EPA certification, making it the most fuel-efficient luxury sedan in America with a certified 41 mpg in city driving and 36 mpg on the highway

• 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid tops its nearest competitor – the 2010 Lexus HS 250h – in fuel economy (by 6 mpg), engine power, passenger room, standard luxury (leather upholstery and genuine wood) and segment-exclusive safety features

• MKZ Hybrid’s SmartGauge™ with EcoGuide cluster coaches drivers to optimum fuel economy and lower emissions with growing leaves and apple blossoms as rewards for efficient driving – within one year, efficient drivers are expected to save nearly 200 gallons of gas and reduce their carbon footprint by almost two tons of CO2

Lincoln’s first-ever hybrid – the 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid – is now officially the most fuel-efficient luxury sedan in America with an EPA-certified 41 mpg rating in city driving and 36 mpg on the highway.

“The 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid provides a real choice in the marketplace for customers looking for a vehicle that not only makes a statement about who they are but also reflects their ideals,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s group vice president, Global Product Development. “It offers the best fuel economy in its segment, a host of advanced safety features, and all the amenities and modern design of a true luxury sedan.”

The 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid’s final fuel economy certification was completed this week, and the vehicle will carry an EPA label of 41 mpg for city driving and 36 mpg on the highway when it goes on sale this fall. It tops its nearest competitor – the 2010 Lexus HS 250h – by 6 mpg. It also trumps the Lexus HS 250h with room for one more passenger and more standard luxury and segment-exclusive safety features.

“The Lincoln MKZ Hybrid offers everything our customers look for in a midsize luxury sedan, plus unsurpassed fuel economy,” said Kuzak. “Our engineers worked to ensure the hybrid electric motor and engine complement each other in a fashion that reflects the truly refined driving experience that is synonymous with the Lincoln name.”

Building on Ford Motor Company’s reputation as a world leader in electrified technology, the 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid uses the company’s second-generation hybrid technology – the 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle I-4 hybrid engine – named one of Ward’s 2010 “10 Best Engines.” The system combines the best attributes of the gasoline engine and electric battery-driven motors to deliver optimal performance and fuel economy.

Industry-leading fuel economy comes without sacrificing power. The combined gasoline engine and electric motor provide 191 net horsepower. Plus, the pure electric mode on the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid extends to 47 mph – compared with the Lexus HS 250h battery-only mode, which reaches just 25 mph.

2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid:  Luxury comes standard

In addition to being the most fuel-efficient luxury sedan in America, the 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid includes a host of standard features either not offered at all on the Lexus HS 250h, or available at an extra cost. They are:

• SmartGauge with EcoGuide
• Lincoln SYNC®
• Bridge of Weir leather-trimmed seats
• 10-way power passenger seat
• Power driver memory seat settings
• Heated and cooled front seats
• Genuine wood trim
• Reverse sensing system
• Keyless entry keypad
• Easy Fuel® Capless Fuel-Filler
• Personal Safety System™
• MyKey™
• Integrated spotter mirrors
• Acoustic laminated windshield