TORONTO -

While 2011 has been a challenging year for Toyota throughout the globe in the aftermath of the Japanese earthquake, the automaker’s Canadian operations recently took home some positive news from J.D. Power and Associates.

Toyota not only had the top automaker website in Canada, but its plant in Cambridge South, Ontario, received a Platinum Plant Quality Award from J.D. Power.

Beginning with the website award, Toyota Canada had top billing in the J.D. Power and Associates 2011 Canadian Manufacturer Website Evaluation Study.
Toyota earned a score of 828 out of 1,000. In a tie for second, Hyundai and Kia each earned scores of 812. The average for the industry was 784.

How did other automakers stack up?

J.D. Power’s rankings are as follows:

Toyota: 828
Hyunda:i 812
Kia: 812
Ford: 809
Volkswagen: 809
Buick: 795
Cadillac: 794
Infiniti: 793
Mercedes-Benz: 793
Lexus: 792
Audi 790
Nissan: 788
Chevrolet: 784
Industry Average: 784
Acura: 780
Dodge: 779
Lincoln: 776
Chrysler: 773
Mazda: 772
GMC: 771
Honda: 767
Mitsubishi: 759
BMW: 754
Subaru: 751

The scores are determined by four factors: information/content, page-loading speed, navigational ease and appearance. J.D. Power said Toyota had strong ratings across all categories.

With regards to the Assembly Plant Awards, the platinum honors were given to plants that have the least amount of defects or malfunctions.

The Cambridge South plant — builder of the Lexus RX — showed just 24 problems per 100 vehicles, making them tied with Toyota’s Kyushu 2 Japan facility — which builds three Lexus units — and Honda’s Greensburg, Ind., facility for the No. 1 spot.

"We’re honored to receive this award because it comes from our customers. It directly confirms that the skill, dedication and craftsmanship of our team members is recognized and appreciated,” stated Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada president Brian Krinock.