Could they not just continue the statistical MYTHOLOGY they are currently
using? To correct the so called 'below average' thing why not simply state
the PERCENTAGE of failure rate that is actually what the current ratings are
reflecting?

Come to think of it, that would not work. Subscribers would wise up and no
longer subscribe if they realize what CR is showing as a 'list' is actually
showing that ALL manufactures vehicles are falling within the standard
statistical methodology of the 2% failure rate for ALL manufactured products




"Comments4u" <comments4u@nospam.mindspring.com.invalid> wrote in message
news:ckqe2ibbl7de.1mc3lpl9hdqfv$.dlg@40tude.net...
> The line of companies willing to beg for money from Congress has just
> grown
> longer. Consumers Reports has requested a Congressional bail out hearing.
> In its petition, Consumers Reports cites the costs of massive
> restructuring
> due to circumstances totally beyond its control. Consumers Reports claims
> that since it doesn't take advertising, it is the only unbiased source of
> product information available to consumers, and thus has a vital role that
> must be preserved.
>
> The magazine's anticipated restructuring costs are due to the impending
> demise of GM, Ford, and Chrysler. With those companies gone, and only
> foreign cars to rate, CRs reliability ratings will indicate a statistical
> impossibility: all vehicles are better than average.
>
> It was originally thought the data could be adjusted at minimal cost using
> standard statistical methodology so an appropriate number of vehicles
> would
> be rated below average. However CR learned standard statistical
> methodology cannot be used to ajust data not compiled using standard
> statistical methodology.
>
> The compilation of CRs reliability data starts when someone subscribes to
> the magazine. They then read an article in CR on the vehicle they own
> which tells them whether its good or bad. Then they receive the
> reliability questionaire, which they answer according to the CR article.
>
> "Somehow we have to get some vehicles rated below average", said CR
> spokesman Justin Jest "but we can't just produce a bunch of negative
> articles on foreign vehicles over night. It takes time. And money. We
> need and deserve government help. This problem is not of our making"
>
> Initially, negative articles are planned on the companies formerly
> associated with the Detroit automakers, Isuzu, Mazda, and Mitsubishi. A
> template for the articles has already been prepared. "Estimated
> reliability is suspect, as <Isuzu/Mazda/Mitsubishi> was formerly
> associated
> with <GM/Ford/Chrysler>." But still, that won't be enough as these
> companies have minimal market share.
>
> "They're going to have to take aim at one of the big boys to get the
> numbers" said Joseph Camel of the Brand Research Institute. "They're
> counting on India's Tata Motors coming to America, but while that will
> give
> them the bottom end, the numbers will be too small."
>
> Mr. Camel thinks Kia is the only possible target. When asked if perhaps
> Toyota or Honda might be a better target for lower reliability ratings,
> Mr.
> Jest responded "No, we have a policy at CR against attacking people's
> religion".