Automakers have a cupholder problem, J.D. Power reports

• The survey — which automakers often trumpet in marketing materials when their vehicles perform well — asked more than 93,000 new vehicle purchasers about the performance of their vehicles in the first 90 days.

The intrigue: Seemingly impossible-to-get-wrong cupholders are increasingly being shifted to awkward locations to make way for newfangled wireless charging pads, J.D. Power senior director of auto benchmarking Frank Hanley tells Axios.

• Manufacturers "can’t figure out what the ideal location is and the right size to hold cups," Hanley says.
• And the wireless charging pads often don't work very well: "It should be a surprise and delight for customers, but it’s actually causing them problems," Hanley says.

Zoom out: Other sources of the increase in problems include overly complex door handles, connectivity systems that don't pair seamlessly with phones and safety systems that are too sensitive.

• Stellantis brands Dodge, Ram and Alfa Romeo had the least problems of the major automotive brands.
• General Motors had the highest quality vehicles in seven segments — the most of any automaker — while Hyundai-Kia finished second with five segment winners and Toyota was third with four.
• Of all the major brands, Tesla had the second most problems with 257 per 100 vehicles.