allpar.com - Chrysler, Dodge, and Mopar news (1258838090)

Chrysler to develop distinctive designs for each brand

Ralph Gilles, Chrysler’s new v-p of design, says the company will develop distinctive vehicles for each of its three brands. Speaking in an interview, Gilles also said he wants to improve productivity by having designers devote more time to executing their work and less on the creative process. Gilles will take over as design chief when Trevor Creed retires on August 31.

Reported by Bill_Cawthon at (August 22 2008, 07 AM)

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GM announces employee pricing for all

In an effort to trim bloated inventories, General Motors will offer employee pricing to all buyers on most of its 2008 lineup and some 2009 models. The top U.S. automaker is also expected to make an announcement about leasing certified used vehicles.

The employee-pricing offer starts tomorrow and runs through September 2, which coincides with GM's 100th anniversary. It applies to all in-stock MY 2008 vehicles, except medium-duty trucks. Eligible MY 2009 vehicles include the Chevy Cobalt and HHR, Pontiac Vibe and G5 and Cadillac CTS.

John McDonald, a GM spokesman, said GMAC won't offer leasing on nine new models during the employee-pricing program. Affected vehicles will include the popular six-cylinder Chevrolet Malibu sedan and the Buick Enclave SUV. The change will be effective tomorrow. He also said GM hadn't decided whether the leasing changes would become permanent.

Reported by Bill_Cawthon at (August 19 2008, 11 AM)

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Chrysler, Jeep improve in satisfaction survey

Chrysler and Jeep vehicles received higher marks in the latest University of Michigan American Customer Satisfaction Index. The survey, which polls consumers who have had their vehicles between six months and three years, also shows Dodge lost some ground.

All Chrysler brands scored below average on the Index’s 100-point scale. Average for all brands was 82 and Chrysler received the best score, coming in with an 80, an improvement of 1.3 percent that left it tied with Ford and Pontiac. Jeep, though its grade rose an identical 1.3 percent, came in last with a 76. Dodge’s results dropped 2.5 percent, to 78, leaving it next-to-last in the rankings.

"If I were Chrysler, I would certainly be concerned," said Professor Claes Fornell said, who headed the study. Fornell noted Chrysler has also done poorly in other recent quality surveys.

Lexus and BMW the chart with 87s. BMW improved 1.2 percent to pull even with the Japanese brand. Honda and Toyota both scored an 86. Buick and Cadillac, both of which dropped 1.2 percent, were the top American brands with 85s.

Among American brands, Saturn had the largest improvement, gaining 4.9 percent to an 85 and giving it a three-way tie with Buick and Cadillac. Mazda and Kia were the most-improved imports; both gained 2.6 percent, rising to identical 80s and came in tied with Chrysler.

Chevrolet was the biggest decliner in the survey, dropping 3.7 percent to 79. Lincoln-Mercury had the second-largest drop, 3.5 percent, but still came in above average with an 83.

Responding to the survey, spokesman Ed Saenz said Chrysler has been working to improve customer satisfaction since being acquired by Cerberus last year.

Reported by Bill_Cawthon at (August 19 2008, 11 AM)

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Trevor Creed era over at Chrysler

Trevor M. Creed, Chrysler’s 63-year-old Senior V-P of Design, is retiring at the end of this month. Creed came from Ford in 1985 as Director of Interior Design. In his tenure, he played what company CEO Bob Nardelli called a “key leadership role” in the development of the Chrysler 300C, PT Cruiser, Dodge Challenger, Ram, Viper and Plymouth Prowler.

"Trevor has led a distinguished automotive design career," said Nardelli. "We thank him for his contribution to the Company and wish him well in his retirement."

Creed will be succeeded on September 1 by Ralph V. Gilles, 38, currently Vice President of Jeep, Truck and Advance Interior Design and is responsible for the styling of the new Dodge Ram pickup. Gilles is also credited with the conception of the Chrysler 300 sedan’s distinctive look. Gilles joined Chrysler in 1992.

In another change in the company’s management hierarchy, Gilles will report to Frank O. Klegon, Executive Vice President of Product Development. Creed had reported directly to Nardelli but Chrysler calls the change an improvement that will allow the groups to work together.

Chrysler also announced another executive change. Andreas A. Schell has been appointed Vice President of Electrical / Electronics Engineering Core, effective immediately. Schell will be in charge of all electrical and electronics engineering design, development, quality and "voice of the customer" activities, succeeding William H. Mattingly, who left the Company last month. Schell is a crossover from Daimler-Benz which he joined in 1996 as a research engineer. He most recently served as director of Chrysler’s Recovery and Transformation Plan and Strategy.

Reported by Bill_Cawthon at (August 19 2008, 10 AM)

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Dealers express renewed confidence in Chrysler's future

The Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge Dealer Council met with company executives last week. After two days of meetings and a confidential preview of products in the Chrysler pipeline, the council co-chairs, Jim Arrigo of West Palm Beach, Florida, and Hayden Elder of Athens, Texas, came away with renewed confidence in the company and its future. They decided to share their impressions with their fellow dealers and bought a full-page ad in today's Automotive News. The text of their letter is below:

Dear Dealer Colleagues,

On behalf of the 18 members of your Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge Dealer Council, we are pleased to share with you the highlights of our recent two-day meeting with Chrysler management in Auburn Hills. Throughout the meeting, Jim Press, Steven Landry and Chrysler Financial's Darryl Jackson and Mark Manzo demonstrated that they are living by the ideals of "Customer First" and "Quality Period" and are committed to partnering with the dealers and driving dealer profitability. We left Auburn Hills very enthusiastic about our future products, and the processes being used to enhance their quality, appeal and reliability.

The meeting included good healthy dialogue on the issues of the day. But more importantly, we got renewed confidence in the financial health of the company, the future product plans and the commitment to quality.

Our first event was a visit to the Design Dome for an up close look at 2009-2011 models. Without a doubt, the current leadership's commitment to products and quality is having a significant impact on the lineup. The quality of materials put into the new interiors, such as in the new Dodge Ram, is unbelievable. The new approach to enhancing quality is evident in everything we saw. Jim Press then gave us an impressive look at product plans all the way out to 2014. Jim made it clear that Chrysler, with the support of Cerberus, is in this business to win and is making the investments in future products we need to succeed.

The surprise of the day came when Lou Rhodes, the President of Chrysler's advanced propulsion technologies/electric vehicle group, ENVI, gave us an opportunity to experience a developmental advanced-electric-powered automobile. It was fast, quiet and the technology is closer to market ready than any of us would have imagined. ENVI is a significant part of our future as Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge dealers, and we were thrilled to see Chrysler's progress in environmentally friendly advanced technology for the next generation.

We left Auburn Hills with two clear challenges. First, leveraging all the tools we have at our disposal to drive sales in August and September. There are strong incentives available that can help us run out the model year and be ready for a stronger 2009. Secondly, we have to focus on preparing our businesses for a greatly enhanced, high-quality Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge product lineup in the coming years.

We look forward to our local council meetings to report out the details of our discussions and share some insight into Chrysler's vision of the future. At the end of the meeting, Jim Press made it clear that the company is "all in" to grow our business, and the dealer council echoed that commitment on behalf of all 3,400 dealers. We are truly excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for us.

Thank you for your support.

Jim Arrigo and Hayden Elder
Dealer Council Co-Chairs

Reported by Bill_Cawthon at (August 18 2008, 02 PM)

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Wild Wheels @ Work party at WPC Museum Thursday

This Thursday, continue the daytime employee Wild Wheels @ Work party at the Walter P. Chrysler Museum with Dodge Challenger Night, the sixth and final event of the 2008 Cruise Nights series. All makes and models are welcome from 6-9 p.m., rain or shine. Check out the 2009 Dodge Challenger and Challenger R/T, the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8®, the just-released Mopar® Drag Race Package Challenger as well as 1970 and 1971 Challengers along with the 1970 Dodge Challenger T/A. Join AutoWeek Senior Editor Kevin Wilson at 7 p.m. for a look at 50 years of automotive passion as celebrated in the pages of AutoWeek. There also will be "best of" awards, opportunity to win four tickets to the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, music, food and museum tours. Cruise Nights are presented by the Chrysler Jeep® Superstores and the Motor City Dodge Dealers.

Weather forecast is looking great so bring the wheels on out or just come on by!

Reported by Bill_Cawthon at (August 18 2008, 01 PM)

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