The arrival of 2011 model year Mustangs was set to ring in a new era of power, performance and economy. With powerful new engines, an updated interior and EPA mileage ratings that were previously unheard of, we’ve been standing around rather slack jawed wondering how it could get any better. It just did.

Photos: Ford Motor Company

J.D. Power and Associates has just released the results of their 2010 Initial Quality Survey and Ford Motor Company is a big winner. After posting nine consecutive years of gains in the closely watched quality study, Ford moved into the leading spot among all non-luxury brands.

Several Ford nameplates were also highlighted in the study as leading their individual classes, and one of those was the Mustang. In the “Midsize Sporty” segments of the study, the Mustang ranked second in 2006, and first in 2007, 2009 and again for 2010. There was no award issued in 2008, as too few models qualified for a ranking.

According to the J.D. Power, the 2010 Initial Quality Study results were formulated from more than 82,000 responses from purchasers and lessees of new 2010 model-year cars, trucks and SUVs. The study reports problems per 100 vehicles, based on driver’s experiences with the vehicle in the first 90 days of ownership.

“The blue oval is becoming synonymous with high quality,” acknowledged Bennie Fowler, Ford group vice president, Global Quality & New Model Launches. “While we are pleased with where we are today, our job is not done. Our plan is to keep improving quality each and every year.”

Aside from leading its segment, the 2010 Mustang’s initial quality level was sufficient to place it eleventh overall among all models reported on in the Study.