At least that’s the findings from the JD Power and Associates Asia Pacific 2011 China Vehicle Dependability Study, which has just been released.

Long derided by outsiders as shoddily built cars, employing copied technology from more established automakers, the JD Power CVDS (now in its second year), shows that Chinese domestic vehicles are improving in terms of reliability.

In 2011, the dependability study reported some 218 problems on average per 100 vehicles in the Chinese market, an improvement of some 80 problems per 100 cars over the previous year. Domestic brands in that country were rated overall at 309 problems per 100 vehicles, representing an improvement of some 135 pp 100 over 2010.

The gains in quality were largely due to a reduction in problems relating to vehicle exterior and engine/transmission components, as well as significant strides in the minivan sector (which saw a reduction of some 265 problems per 100 vehicles).

The 2011 China New Vehicle Dependability Study comprised evaluations from some 11,676 original owners of vehicles bought between June 2008 and August 2010, representing some 33 different cities across the country and 137 individual vehicle models from some 57 different brands (including Chinese and imported makes).

The most frequent issues cited by customers that took part in the study, included engines losing power when the A/C system was engaged, noisy brakes, poor fuel consumption, smelly HVAC vents and broken or poorly functioning windshield washer/wiper systems.

[Source: JD Power]

Given current and future proposals for Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards it probably isn’t surprising that General Motors is focusing on gas mileage when it comes to new product offerings.

Having launched a spate of new passenger cars recently, including the Cruze and Sonic, GM is now turning its attention to trucks, with new full-size pickups due in 2013 for the ‘14 model year, followed shortly by big SUVs and a small crossover for GMC, known as the Granite.

In an effort boost fuel economy, in order to come into line with the 35.5 mpg CAFE regulations, its likely the new generation of big trucks will feature GM’s new eight-speed automatic transmissions as well as turbocharged engines and eAssist light hybrid technology.

Besides the trucks, other new vehicles in the pipeline include a baby Cadillac, the new ATS, along with a XTS sedan, as well as new vehicles for Chevrolet, such as the Korean built Spark mini car and the updated 2013 Malibu mid-size sedan.

[Source: Automotive News]

Jaguar plans to move the XF, it’s current bread and butter model, up in size for the car’s next redesign, scheduled for 2015. In addition, the company will augment its product offerings, with a new smaller car at around the same time.

The main motivation for up-sizing the next generation XF, comes from the car’s German competition, particularly the Mercedes E-Class and BMW 5-series, which Jag boss Adrian Hallmark notes “given that [these models] have moved up in size, so will the next XF.”

Originally, Jaguar had planned to offer a new, baby offering ahead of the XF redesign, but there were some that felt it could potentially steal sales away from the current XF, the car which ‘saved,’ Jaguar, since the two models would likely be harder to differentiate.

Hallmark is strongly enthusiastic about the idea of a new smaller Jaguar, but along with engineering chief Bob Joyce, believes that the car has to be designed and engineered exactly right for its target audience, avoiding the same mistakes the company got into when it launched the Ford Mondeo based X-Type.

“We’ve got to be careful and not be too British and think that just because we didn’t hit the bullseye first time, we can’t hit it a second time,” Hallmark said.

[Source: Autocar]

It’s been around in current form since 1983, but the rugged go-anywhere Land Rover Defender can trace its lineage directly back to the first one the company ever built  in 1948. Beloved of the British military, farmers, ranchers and explorers the world over, it’s a true icon.

However, there are now rumors circulating that Jaguar Land Rover plans to give the old warrior a serious makeover. No details have been released, or even leaked, though apparently the JLR group is intensively studying what needs to be done before proceeding with development on the ‘next-generation,’ Defender.

Hopefully whatever is decided, the result will stay true to the vehicle’s rugged, practical persona, with short and long wheelbase variants  being retained as well as retaining a chassis highly adaptable  for different needs (a part of the current model’s enduring appeal).

A concept study is likely to emerge sometime around 2013, with the projected introduction of the actual ‘new’ Defender to follow a couple of years later. In the meantime, if  you happen to live outside North America, you can still get your hands on a current Defender and take it places like this.

Building on the concept of its bold ‘Minivan Pledge’ program, Chrysler has announced that it will be offering a Risk-Free purchase plan for most new Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram vehicles. The program, which began on July 8; will essentially allow those customers not happy with their new vehicle to return it back within 60 days, plus Chrysler will make the first two monthly payments on behalf of the consumer up to $500 per month or $1000 in total.

However, like any such incentive, there are strings attached. Buyers who elect to return their vehicle won’t be reimbursed for taxes, licensing costs or other fees and although normal wear and tear is acceptable, damage cost to the vehicle cannot total more than $200. If it does, the vehicle won’t be accepted back. Also like many lease agreements there are mileage restrictions and the new Chrysler, Dodge or Jeep vehicle cannot be driven more than 4000 miles from the delivery date in order to qualify for the program. Also only one vehicle return is allowed per customer and those that do won’t be able to get their original trade-in back.

Alongside this program, Chrysler is offering other incentives in July to help clear existing stock for the upcoming 2011 models, including more ‘traditional’ programs such as zero percent financing for 60 months and up to $3000 cash back on selected models.

With all these incentives on the table, if you’re looking to buy a new Chrysler, Dodge or Jeep vehicle, there’s no better time to do it than during the summer.