J.D. Power
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Data analytics, software development, consumer insights |
| Founded | 1968 |
| Founder | James David Power III |
| Fate | Acquired by Thoma Bravo in 2019; merged with Autodata Solutions in 2019 |
| Headquarters | Troy , United States |
Area served | Americas, Europe, Pacific region, India, Japan, China, Southeast Asia, Canada, Mexico, Australia, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom |
Key people | Joshua Peirez (CEO) |
| Products | Benchmarking studies, data analytics, software solutions |
| Owner | Thoma Bravo |
| Website | jdpower |
J.D. Power is a U.S.-based firm specializing in data analytics, software development, and consumer insights, established in 1968. The company’s expertise lies in large-scale data analysis, artificial intelligence, and algorithm-driven models that examine consumer behavior patterns. Its core operations revolve around delivering data, analytics, and software solutions. J.D. Power’s industry benchmarking reports assess consumer experiences and market trends across sectors including automotive, financial services, healthcare, home products, insurance, technology, media and telecommunications, travel and hospitality, senior living, and utilities.
Founded by James David Power III, the company’s main office is located in Troy, Michigan, with additional branches throughout the Americas, Europe, and the Pacific region. In July 2019, private equity firm Thoma Bravo acquired J.D. Power. That same year, it merged with Autodata Solutions, a company specializing in automotive data and software services. Joshua Peirez assumed the role of CEO in May 2025.
History
The inception of J.D. Power dates back to 1968 when James David Power III, who had experience in advertising and customer research at Ford Motor Company, decided to establish his own company. Frustrated by the neglect of customer satisfaction information, he launched J.D. Power and Associates on April 1, 1968, initially operating out of his home kitchen table. The business was officially incorporated in 1969; the term "associates" referred to his family members who assisted with research and administrative duties.
Initially focusing on surveying automobile owners regarding vehicle features, the company used this data to advise original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) on product improvements. In 1973, J.D. Power attracted national attention when its surveys uncovered a design defect in Mazda rotary engines—a revelation highlighted by The Wall Street Journal. The firm gained recognition for its automotive customer satisfaction ratings while gradually expanding into other industries such as food and computer products. Notable achievements include launching the inaugural Dealer Attitude Study in 1976 and introducing the U.S. Automotive Customer Satisfaction Index in 1981.
Subaru became the pioneer automaker to pay J.D. Power for showcasing its ranking results during a Super Bowl commercial in 1984—initiating widespread adoption of J.D. Power awards in marketing campaigns that now appear in over 350,000 television commercials and two billion print advertisements. In 2017, the company broadened its offerings to include financial and insurance products tailored for automobile dealerships.
In 2002, J.D. Power moved its headquarters from Agoura Hills to Westlake Village in California. Founder James David Power sold the enterprise to McGraw Hill Financial in 2005 and stepped down as chairman. McGraw Hill (later rebranded as S&P Global) divested J.D. Power to XIO Group for $1.1 billion in 2016. Dave Habiger took over as CEO in 2018 before being succeeded by Joshua Peirez in 2025.
Following its acquisition by Thoma Bravo in 2019, J.D. Power merged with Autodata Solutions and relocated its headquarters to Troy, Michigan. In September 2023, the company expanded its footprint across Europe and Australia by acquiring Autovista Group, a leading market player.
Benchmarking studies
J.D. Power carries out close to 200 benchmarking studies annually that analyze consumer behavior alongside market data trends. These research initiatives are fully independent and self-funded, covering prominent brands across industries such as automotive, financial services, healthcare, home products, insurance, technology, media and telecommunications, travel and hospitality, senior living communities, and utilities.
The majority of J.D. Power’s income derives from corporations purchasing proprietary data for internal application; while product rankings are available at no cost to consumers, any commercial use of the J.D. Power logo or citation of results requires payment of licensing fees.
Research operations span multiple local markets including India, Japan, China, Southeast Asia, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.
Among its longest-standing benchmarks are those focused on the automotive sector. The Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) monitors issues reported three years after vehicle purchase whereas the Initial Quality Study (IQS) evaluates problems encountered within the first three months of ownership. Additional significant automotive studies include the Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study which measures consumer perceptions regarding vehicle features and dealership service quality.
International editions of these assessments are published under localized titles tailored to specific countries—for example, the China Initial Quality Study serves that market specifically.
See also
External links
- Articles with short description
- Market research firms in the United States
- Marketing firms founded in 1968
- Mergers and acquisitions in 2005
- Mergers and acquisitions in 2016
- Companies located in Los Angeles County, California
- Companies located in Orange County, California
- Companies located in Costa Mesa, California
- Establishments from 1968 in California
- Thoma Bravo portfolio companies
- Market research companies of the United States