Its all based on Consumer Reports....or the "Bible of the Have-Nots". Those morons bash the domestic brands every chance they get. Something I found really interesting is that the initial quality studies are mainly based on surveys with questions such as. Do all of the vehicle features perform properly? The problem is that if the customer does not know how to use the features........they check "NO". So, the import appliances with minimal equipment get less "NO's". Its a joke, but ppl will believe it.