The Detroit News got its hands on a transcript of a Q&A session held between Chrysler execs and employees of the company in which management admits the company misjudged the market when developing vehicles like the new Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Nitro. The transcript was confirmed to be legitimate by Chrysler spokesman Rick Deneau, who admitted it was never meant for the public to see. Nevertheless, the Q&A session shows that that there are many at Chrysler who are "quite upset" about how some vehicles turned out, which is illustrated most pointedly by the harsh criticism the Sebring and Nitro received from Consumer Reports.
In response, Chrysler says it is moving fast to fix its own internal development process so that it can better project what customers want and expect from their vehicles a few years down the road. It seems the current system is good at matching what competitors are offering now, but produces vehicles that arrive on the market behind the curve in terms of design, quality and interiors.
Chrysler hasn't been following the trend in terms of improving the way its products are seen by critics and consumers.
Of the five "Most Disappointing" new models listed in Consumer Reports' annual April Autos issue, four - the Jeep Compass, Dodge Caliber, Dodge Nitro and Chrysler Sebring - were Chrysler products. (The fifth was the subcompact Toyota Yaris.). The new Sebring was rated 16th out of 16 family sedans tested by Consumer Reports this year.
Likewise, Chrysler has not done well in J.D. Power surveys ranking low in quality and owner satisfaction. In J.D. Power's latest Initial Quality survey, all three Chrysler brands - Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep - scored well below average. In the J.D. Power APEAL survey, the three Chrysler brands all ranked among the bottom five.
Full article from the Detroit News
Read The Truth About Cars' article on Chrysler Suicide Watch
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