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The Michigan State Police have published the long-awaited results of their 2002 model year squad car tests, including both the Intrepid and the Durango in patrol versions. Other vehicles fielded included the Ford Police Interceptor (Crown Victoria) in its final year before a hydroformed frame and better brakes are used, Chevrolet Impala, Camaro, and various SUVs.
It is interesting to note that in the report Dodges are referred to as "DaimlerChrysler Dodge" while Chevrolets are not referred to as "General Motors Chevrolets," perhaps showing a hint of bias at least by the report editors. The 4.7 is referred to as a V6.
In handling, the Intrepid managed the obstacle course in almost the exact same time as the Ford Police Interceptor. The Impala had a similar time, taking only two seconds longer in a one minute, 40 second run. The only real standouts in this test were the overachieving Camaro and the terribly underachieving Hummer, which, incidentally, also had the worst acceleration by an amazing margin, the lowest top speed, and the worst brakes.
The Intrepid achieved credible acceleration, trailing the Crown Victoria but only by fractions of a second in every speed group up to 100 mph. The Intrepid, however, had a top speed of 135, higher than any vehicle tested other than the Camaro (the next best was the Ford Police Interceptor.
The Intrepid stopped in five fewer feet than the extended-wheelbase 2003 Ford Interceptor, but took ten more feet than the 2002 model.
In the ergonomics and communication test, the Hummer again took last place, while the Police Interceptor and Impala both edged out the Intrepid.
The one area where the Intrepid really outshined the Ford Police Interceptor was gas mileage. Despite almost identical performance in every measured area, the Intrepid managed to get three more miles out of each gallon - 18 city vs 15, 26 highway vs 22, 21 combined vs 18. This can be an important difference over the course of 200,000 miles, especially if gasoline prices rise again. The Impala, however, beat the Intrepid, with 20 city vs 18, 29 highway vs 26, 23 combined vs 21.
If the Impala is as durable as the Intrepid or Ford Interceptor, it would seem that Chrysler has managed to produce a vehicle which, while competent, has no truly compelling features or benefits over the best of the competition. The Impala is nearly as fast, stops more quickly, and achieved better ergonomic scores and substantially higher gas mileage, failing only in top speed (124 mpg) - where it is competitive with the Ford's 129 mph top speed if below the Intrepid's 135. (The Camaro managed 159).
We hope someone in Auburn Hills is taking this report seriously and beefing up the Intrepid's brakes and engine - especially with a redesigned Interceptor, featuring a hydroformed frame and revised suspension, coming on line in 2003. We'd like to see Chrysler return to its past role as #1 supplier of patrol cars, and we'd also like to see all those hard-working people at the LH plant return to work on all shifts.
According to J.D. Power, the Dodge Neon actually beat the Honda Civic in initial quality. While the Civic led the Neon in "mechanical quality," the Neon beat the Civic in both feature and accessory quality, and in interior and body quality, and equalled the Civic in performance, creature comforts, and style.
The Neon also beat the Ford Focus, in feature and accessory quality, while equalling the Focus in every other measure.
The Toyota Corolla was the class leader by a substantial margin, however, with the highest ratings in each quality area. Still, second best isn't bad at all - especially considering the Neon's advantages in size and price.
Ford has replaced its Asia and Mazda chiefs in the latest power re-alignment, following the replacement of Jacques Nasser with members of the Ford family. In addition, Ford has decided to cancel its planned hybrid-electric Explorer, which was a key to making good on promises of higher overall fuel economy. (Some did not believe those promises, since they were accompanied with lobbying against Federal fuel economy standards.) That's good news for Chrysler, whose hybrid Durango is being investigated by the military for possible fleet use thanks to its silent running mode and the importance of gas mileage in military applications. It's also good news for GM, which may come out with the first hybrid-electric SUV if Chrysler doesn't beat them to the punch.
Hybrid-electric cars get very good gas mileage in city driving because energy wasted during braking is largely recaptured, and because no fuel is spent while idling. However, they do not have much saving in highway use. Gasoline savings in trucks is much higher partly because truck engines tend to use much more fuel while idling, and partly because the gas mileage of most trucks is fairly abysmal. Other technologies, however, may be more promising - GM has a concept V-8 which uses systems including displacement-on-demand and direct fuel injection to create massive power with relatively good economy.
Workers at the Jeep plant in Toledo which produces the Liberty have voted to strike within 60 days if issues of health, safety and production (most previously reported here) aren't settled. (Thanks, Terry Dempsey.)
Chrysler will be introducing new ad campaigns across each of its lines, at long last dumping the fire-sale tactics which have cheapened the brands and emphasizing the positive aspects of each vehicle - such as the spacious interior of the Neon.
Some of the ads are sexually suggestive - for example, featuring a joke about conceiving a child in the back seat, "swapping" a minivan, etc. Jeep ads will go back to the original Army GPs, emphasizing patriotism (hopefully de-emphasizing DaimlerChrysler, which would be self-defeating!).
In another blow to Chrysler - and a triumph for General Motors - Bob Lutz has been named chairman of General Motors - North America with the resignation of Ron Zarella. This ends any hope of Lutz coming back to lead Chrysler (if there was any, that is), while making it even more likely that Lutz will be able to make GM lean and efficient while boosting the desirability of its product line, as he did at Chrysler.
Most analysts have applauded Lutz for his styling triumphs, without acknowledging how revolutionary Chrysler's "turnaround vehicles" really were. The Intrepid provided a full-size car with class-leading handling and power at the price of a mid-size. The much-maligned Neon could outhandle and outrun any of its competitors, while providing more interior space and, yes, class-leading styling. Meanwhile, inside Chrysler itself, employees and suppliers were tapped for their ideas and empowered to cut waste, increase quality, and produce more.
GM is now the company to watch, with a huge number of brand new vehicles coming on line and an incredible amount of technology being brought to bear. Watch out, Ford and Chrysler...
When Gary Henson - hired from GM in 1994 - announced his retirement, his replacement as head of manufacturing was named as Thomas LaSorda, who came from GM only last year. [editorial note: There doesn't seem to be much of a career path for Chrysler manufacturing executives.]
One of Chrysler's few recent successes, the Jeep Liberty, may be the subject of a strike due to excessive overtime and parts outsourcing. Chrysler has avoided putting on a third shift by having plant workers put in large amounts of overtime, including ten-hour weekday shifts and Saturday shifts, and has recently asked for voluntary Sunday shifts as well. The company has layed off thousands of workers this year, and outsourcing instrument panels effectively replaced 155 workers with Johnson Controls. The Liberty is reportedly one of Chrysler's highest quality vehicles as well as its second largest selling SUV, behind the Grand Cherokee (Source: Detroit News).
One of Chrysler's few recent successes, the Jeep Liberty, may be the subject of a strike due to excessive overtime and parts outsourcing. Chrysler has avoided putting on a third shift by having plant workers put in large amounts of overtime, including ten-hour weekday shifts and Saturday shifts, and has recently asked for voluntary Sunday shifts as well. The company has layed off thousands of workers this year, and outsourcing instrument panels effectively replaced 155 workers with Johnson Controls. The Liberty is reportedly one of Chrysler's highest quality vehicles as well as its second largest selling SUV, behind the Grand Cherokee (Source: Detroit News).
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