Chrysler's 14-Person Product Turnaround
A few weeks ago we heard that Chrysler would be rehiring designers and engineers to help kick-start the companies product refresh-a-thon. After all, seven major reskins in 18 months weren’t going to happen with Chrysler’s bankruptcy-level staffing, which saw some departments covered by “only a few people.” Well, according to the Freep, Chrysler has hired back a total of 14 UAW-represented white-collar staff. And that’s it. Per a Chrysler statement:
Chrysler Group continually evaluates its human resources with the goal of assuring that its workforce is well-qualified and effective. At this time, no decisions have been made regarding an increase in salaried staffing levels.
How excited are you for these skeleton crew facelifts? Always on point with a silver lining, the Freep quotes a Detroit-based consultant who reminds us that “the good news for automotive employers looking for people is that they are available in big numbers in this town. Three years ago you might have paid them x. Today you could get them for half x.” Still, none of this sounds like the kind of change we can proverbially believe in. Especially because a PT Cruiser with the world’s fanciest lipstick is still a PT Cruiser.
More by Edward Niedermeyer
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That picture vaguely reminds me of this classic ad.. http://www.robocoparchive.com/info/car8.JPG
Count me as an uber contrarian here - Chrysler can and should be saved. The Jeep franchise alone is a crown jewel worthy of any automakers attention and desire. It wouldn't take much if Chrysler had competent upper management to JV up with a partner (Magna anyone?) to supplant their passenger car offerings with a more competitive line, and they could rely on agreements with other automakers to source transmissions and more motors to bring economies of scale and lower development costs to the table, while they're at it.
Really? Seems as though Chrysler brand ranked above average on 3 year studies as well as the Dodge Grand Caravan was the TOP rated minivan. No doubt Chrysler has work to do but Chrysler is not the overall "crap" most in this site portray them to be. BTW, Chrysler beat Mercedes Benz on this 3 year durability Power's report. ...and the MB fans want to put on Chrysler's back the failing of the pointed head 3 star. Imagine that. http://www.allpar.com/news/index.php/2009/10/chrysler-above-average-mercedes-in-long-term-reliability
I just read yesterday that Chrysler got top prize in a contest, multiple times! Including first place. The "contest" was cars with the most miserable, lowest resale value and the Sebring convertible took top prize, with the Dodge Grand Caravan taking one of the other top prizes. Yet another reason to avoid this company like the bubonic plague.