Founder of J.D. Power dies at 89

By CARSIFU | 25 January 2021


LOS ANGELES: James David Power III, the founder of the influential car quality survey company, J.D. Power, died on Saturday. He was 89.

Power set up the company with his wife, Julie, in 1968, and it initially focused on the automotive industry. It has since expanded and influenced the everyday lives of consumers and industries worldwide by tracking consumers' experience and offering insights to drive improvement in clients' products and services.

Its first auto client was Toyota in 1969.
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In the 1980s, the US Automotive Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) Study, US Automotive Initial Quality Study (IQS) and US Automotive Media Study were launched, serving as the cornerstone of the 52-year-old firm's plan to expand to include independently funded syndicated studies.

In 1992, Power was a recipient of the Automotive Hall of Fame’s Distinguished Service Citation, awarded each year to seven of the industry’s most accomplished leader.

Power retired from the company in 2005 and sold it to S&P Global. He continued to contribute to the company he created until 2009.

Following his retirement, Power was made a member of several boards of directors and also focused on his family’s philanthropic interests.

Over the next 15 years, the company changed ownership, being sold to XIO Group and then to private equity firm Thomas Bravo, which also owns Autodata Solutions.

Dave Habiger is the current president and CEO of J.D. Power. J.D. Power is headquartered in Troy, Michigan, and has offices in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific.

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