Chrysler to improve dealer experience

CEO Pietro Gorlier. Mopar continues to look into other channels including wholesale retail, independent repair shops, and collision parts with a price matching program. Mopar has been adding techs and service advisors, and developing an “express lane” system for immediate service on their car, as well as adding a market-driven smart pricing program. Accessories are now being designed during vehicle development, engineered to ease installation, with availability at vehicle launch. The goal is for 80% of dealers to have weekend and extended hours for service. A new wiTech (wireless) diagnostic system is being added, with new wiring diagram applications (the first dynamic wiring information system, a design driven by technicians and using vehicle-specific on-demand information). The parts network reorganization should save 13% of trips. A wave of actions started in June 2009 to improve parts distribution logistics.

In 2009 they plan to fix the basics; in 2010 to  target industry benchmarks, enforce dealer standards; and by 2012, to become best-practice so customers view the service organization as an asset.

Quality of customer care drivers: brand-customer interface (product, customer care center); dealer-customer interface (sales, service, parts/accessory experiences). Rigorous key performance indicator process needed to drive success, excellence can only be achieved when everything exceeds customer expectations. There must be proactive customer support and a closed-loop approach with follow through. (This echoes the old Five Star program as it was originally designed.)

A single U.S. toll free number will be created for each brand, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram, to customize the owner experience – 800 CHRYSLER, 877-I-AM_Jeep, 800-4aDodge, and 877-RAM-5720.