A U.S. consumer quality report has given top spots to Korea's top automakers -- Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors as well as Hyundai's premium Genesis range -- for the quality of their vehicles.
Hong Yoo reports. The two Korean automakers and Hyundai's luxury brand Genesis have grabbed the top three rankings in one of the U.S. auto industry's most closely watched gauges of automotive quality: the J.D. Power 2018 U.S. Initial Quality Study.
According to the report released on Wednesday, Hyundai, Kia and Genesis, hold the top three spots out of the 31 automobile brands included in the study.
The result shows Hyundai's marketing technique of putting forth 'quality' as its main selling point works in the U.S. auto market.
The annual J.D. Power report measures car quality by analyzing problems reported by owners in the first 90 days of ownership.

It marks the second year in a row that Genesis has topped the ratings among other premium brands.
Porsche and Lincoln were in second and third place.
Hyundai Motor says the achievement is all the more significant as Genesis was only introduced into the U.S. market a couple of years ago and the premium ratings used to be dominated by German and Japanese automakers.
With the wind in its back, Genesis will launch its first premium SUV in the U.S. next year.

For Kia Motors, this is its fourth consecutive year topping the non-premium rating .
Kia's Sorento and Rio were granted the 2018 Quality award in the Midsize SUV and small car rating, respectively.

J.D. Power study results are not only used as purchase criteria for many U.S. consumers but are also seen as a key indicator of brand quality.
As a result, market watchers expect the results to have a positive impact on the automakers' U.S. sales.
Hong Yoo, Arirang News.