Chrysler plans to make vehicle improvements on the fly
The interior woes of recent Chrysler products have been well documented, and consumers rightly expect better these days. Chrysler has come to realize this fact and is taking appropriate measures to fix the problem and be sure that its future products come better equipped to face the competition. While stylish exterior and interior designs with high quality materials have come to be expected in modern vehicles, technology and gadgets are often what separate one automaker's vehicles from another. Chrysler recognizes this and is working to offer desirable options as standard equipment on some of their popular models.
Now, Chrysler has started a new tactic that is unique among car manufacturers: adding improvements as they become available, as opposed to waiting for the next design refresh. These improvements include a new mileage-saving all-wheel-drive system for their 2009 300C and Dodge Charger as well as swiveling rear entertainment systems, blind-spot monitoring and backup sensors for their '09 minivans. Chrysler hopes that these changes will entice potential buyers to choose its vehicles over less-well-equipped models from another manufacturer.
[Source: The Detroit News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Sam 6:32PM (3/15/2008)
improvements
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Brent 6:32PM (3/15/2008)
Dealers better not have any of the "dated" models on their lots when a new feature becomes available.
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Zerk 6:50PM (3/15/2008)
VW has made running changes since at least the 80's.
Unique among car manufacturers my ass! Who fact checked your article Jeremy?
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rgseidl 8:26AM (3/16/2008)
There's a big difference between relatively minor running changes to fix problems and major upgrades or new features. Doing those on the fly makes it much harder to determine resale values down the road.
f3rg 6:51PM (3/15/2008)
Flying vehicles would definitely be an improvement. :)
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Mike 8:29PM (3/15/2008)
no it woulda been an improvemen
nubcake :P read the title more closely next time
f3rg 10:25PM (3/15/2008)
Yeah, I was sorta being a smart ass. Get a sense of humor next time.
Mike 12:00AM (3/16/2008)
alas you missed that i caught your sense of humor :/
i was attempting at joking by being serious, but who would be serious about the title? meh
you my friend missed the joke more than you thought I did, or so i think >.<
fc it lets go get icecream :)
Derek 2:48PM (3/16/2008)
What's even funnier is that the title is still not speeled correctly.
f3rg 4:37PM (3/16/2008)
I got that you got my joke, but only after I hit Submit, and by then I realized I really didn't care that either of us was making a joke, and I got some ice cream.
Frank 6:54PM (3/15/2008)
Actually running changes to fix problem areas have been done for as long as I can remember. The difference here is that it is new technology or new technology as far as it's use in a Chrysler is concerned. That is a bit of a feat because of the amount of engineering that might go into a given feature. If they can do this without causing unintended problems more power to them.
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PJ 7:02PM (3/15/2008)
No offense to the poster, but these aren't new tactics. Chrysler counted on chilled gloveboxes, heated/cooled cupholders, and MyGig hard drives to distract consumers from the dull dynamics and horrid materials of their volume sellers (Caliber, Sebring, Avenger). It hasn't worked.
I wouldn't call running changes to existing models a "unique" strategy, either. Ford added available AWD to the Fusion in 2007. Performance and hybrid variants are regularly added mid-cycle by all manufacturers.
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Xcountryflyer 11:51PM (3/15/2008)
Completely agree. At the end of the day, it is the most common things that people use in the car and the feel of the interior that people are going to hone in on--Chryslers lag significantly in interiors quality..
TBlueMax 12:34AM (3/16/2008)
PJ is correct in pointing out that Chrysler is certainly not the first of the automakers, not even of the big three to implement running changes/updates to their vehicle. Saturn's Sky roadster received seat height adjustments and power door lock switches midway through a model year based on consumer feedback, still far from a mid-cycle refresh or complete redesign.
It is encouraging to hear that Chrysler is willing to implement running changes to improve a vehicle. Of course, if they got it "right" from the outset, this wouldn't be necessary. Better late than never?
TBlueMax 12:40AM (3/16/2008)
Also, however much money Chrysler invests in incorporating these updates to equipment or design on the fly, they'll probably need to spend a fortune on keeping their dealers up-to-date on the changes as well as marketing to consumers. In concept this is a great idea - but again, if you get it right from the outset, this wouldn't be an issue.
gforce 7:48PM (3/15/2008)
"Performance and hybrid variants are regularly added mid-cycle by all manufacturers."
The article specifically states that the changes WON'T be waiting for a mid-cycle refresh but will be implemented as they become available. (I'm assuming on the next MY vehicles.)
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PJ 8:14PM (3/15/2008)
I didn't say mid-cycle refresh. I said mid-cycle, as in, "in the middle of a given design cycle." Automakers add airbags, nav systems, and other features all the time without touching the rest of the car.
slim 8:08PM (3/15/2008)
autoblog, how about making spelling improvemenTs on the fly :-)
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Thedevil 8:22PM (3/15/2008)
YOU DONT GET IT,THEY ARE IMPROVING MEN !NOT THEIR CARS.
Kevin 9:33PM (3/15/2008)
Chrysler has and always will be too stubborn to take on new ideas. I saw guys with the great talent and bright ideas, get fired or not hired from the company for various reasons. Guess what, those guys now work for the competition, and that competition is doing better
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