Reuters is reporting that the J.D. Power initial quality
survey indicates that Ford is having quality challenges this year, while Toyota is bouncing back from its troubles of a year ago.

Ford slipped from 5^th place to 23^rd
this year, largely on issues surrounding its sound systems and
Microsoft-powered MyFord Touch driver control system. Toyota roared back to 7^th
place from 21^st place in 2010 as it put its troubles in the rear
view mirror. Leuxs (also made by Toyota) advanced to first place this year from
4^th position last year.

J.D. Power executives were quick to note that Ford’s general
quality is very high, and so a particular problem such as the stereo controls
can have an exaggerated effect on a brand’s score.

The average across the entire automotive industry this year
was 107 problems per 100 vehicles sold, which is better than last year’s 109
problems per 100 vehicles, and also represents the best score in the study’s
25-year history.

You can read the whole story by Reuters here, or go
straight to J.D. Power and read the results here.