Dodge seeking your input...

[NHCharger]

Not going to waste my time typing or reading all the replies.
Fiat already has planned out what they are going to do to try and save this once great company. Public opinion means nothing to them, they already know what's best for us.

[Ghoste]

Fiat and Obama.  It sounds like they are both pretty much on the same page too as far as what they feel we should drive.

[dragon84]

How about you guys restore my car on TV 

[elacruze]

How about you guys restore my car on TV 

Well, Don't forget that Fiat owns Ferrari and Ducati.

Hey, Dragon-tell us something about your Avatar.

Threadjacking,

Eric

[dragon84]

That's me from about a year ago.  My RECON Troop was doing border interdiction missions with the Polish Army along the Iraq/Iran Border.  I thought it was funny that the Polish Soldiers were using HIPs and HINDs since I had spent the earlier part of my years in teh Army practiving to shoot them down and now had them flying in pairs with me.

Tom

[Ghoste]

Yeah and Daimler owned Mercedes and Maybach.  That really made Chrysler an oh so much superior company didn't it?

[elacruze]

Yeah and Daimler owned Mercedes and Maybach.  That really made Chrysler an oh so much superior company didn't it?

I don't lose sight of financial reality, just because I like or don't like the name on the door. Daimler could only invest so much money without undue risk. Chrysler was still operated mostly by the same ding-dongs as before.
Fiat has a reputation for spending stupid money sometimes, just because they're Italians and love cool machinery. I'm leaving my mind open to the possibility.

I have no confidence that American auto executives can resurrect Chrysler. They have no interest in the company, only in themselves. I bought Ford stock, because a family has vested interest beyond the length of a single man's retirement. If foreign investment doesn't fix it, they'll go the way of GM.

[Ghoste]

They may keep the company afloat but I think their sole intention here is to get a foothold into the North American dealer network to help sell the little cars they have proven to be best at producing.  Fortunately for them, those are exactly the type of car their co-owners (the Obama government) want them to build.
Fiat is only going to invest so much money without undue risk as well. 

[Grim Jhaixus]

They may keep the company afloat but I think their sole intention here is to get a foothold into the North American dealer network to help sell the little cars they have proven to be best at producing.  Fortunately for them, those are exactly the type of car their co-owners (the Obama government) want them to build.
Fiat is only going to invest so much money without undue risk as well. 

So let the Italians sell us Dodge branded shopping cart sized toys similar to the Smart4Two. The more weightless plastic milk jugs out there means less real damage the other idiots on the road can cause to my full metal monsters. Fuel efficient, cheap, and easy to park. Call it a Neon. I don't mind one bit. Like so many others here, I already have the only Chrysler product I'll ever need, and sadly for Chrysler they won't see a single dollar I put into it cuz they are too good to bring us the parts we want/need.

[jeryst]

I knew a guy that used to do some consulting work for Fiat. He said the quality was so bad it was laughable. That's one of the reasons they stopped selling here.

Anyone thinks they are going to make Chrysler better is just dreaming.

[Kowalski Supersoul]

Mopar fans abroad,

I hope this note finds all of you well.  With Christmas now behind us, I also hope that it was an enjoyable holiday for you and your families.

I want to sincerely thank each and every one of you.  Thank you for contributing such valuable information to my forum post request.  Thank you for taking time out of your busy days to share your thoughts.  And thank you so much for your honesty.

I asked you all to be inventive.  I asked you all to be yourselves.  And you have all delivered in spades with the most raw, thought-provoking, and intense responses imaginable.  I have even had the opportunity to speak with some of you on the phone.  This has already far exceeded my expectations.

The outpouring of posts and emails is simply overwhelming.  Literally hundreds of responses sit in front of me; printed out stacking nearly two inches in height.  I have a lot of material to draw from.  And please rest assured that not a single word of this will be wasted.

After reading many of the posts, however, I must address one concern of mine; that being your concern over my motivations and genuineness when it comes to this task.

First of all, I have been, and continue to be a devout fan and owner of Chrysler products.  My very first vehicle was 1996 Plymouth Neon Sport Coupe.  After that was a 2000 Jeep Cherokee Classic 4x4, followed by a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x2, and a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x4.  Currently, I drive a 2008 Dodge Dakota Crew Cab Laramie 4X4.  So I drive the vehicles that I promote.

Furthermore, I have spent the last 4 years of my life proudly representing Chrysler on the Auto Show/Specialty Event circuit as a Product Specialist and continue to do so with great pride.  In this position, I have had the pleasure to travel the country representing the greatest car company and car culture on Earth...Chrysler and their fans.  For me, this has been the most rewarding experience of my life.

Last of all, I have spent nearly another 4 years actively working on Chrysler's National Press Fleet here at ESI.  In this time, I have had the distinct luxury to drive Chrysler products day-in and day-out; logging tens of thousands of miles behind the wheel.  I deliver the cars to journalists; help out on new vehicle launches to the media; road test and detail the vehicles before loans; and inform the public about these cars.  It has been a wild ride!

I have immense passion for all things Chrysler.  I take, very seriously, the things I have been asked to research here and do so with absolutely no ill will whatsoever.

I ask you to please view this as the start of a dialogue; a way to express your feelings.  I also ask for your patience as I explore your thoughts in mass quantities.  I am currently working on this project alone until my team mate comes in on Monday.  We are also working on other facets of this project.  We love this!  This is what we live for!

Some of you have asked if I will be at Auto Shows coming up.  The answer is yes.  I am currently scheduled to be at both Detroit and Washington D.C. Auto Shows in January.  I will most likely be in Chicago as well come February.  Beyond that, my schedule has not been finalized.  If you are going to be at one of the aforementioned shows, stop by, ask for me, and we can chat there as well if you choose.

Please keep the thoughts coming.  If possible, please send them directly to my email address of SRV@EVENTSOLUTIONS.NET.  My messages get sent directly to my phone and it streamlines the information to one source.  I am often on the road and away from my office and computer for long periods of time.

Rest assured, as well, that I am not compiling a huge email list solely to blast you with frivolous marketing SPAM.  That CANNOT and WILL NOT happen here!

Just the facts; that is all I desire.

Thank you all again!

Sincerely,
Scott Vandekerckhove
SRV@EVENTSOLUTIONS.NET

[elacruze]

Ok, I'll cc this to your email;

Have you ever driven a Big-Block, 4 speed, 2 door B-Body Dodge Charger?

If not, do so. I'm certain that somebody on this forum will volunteer one. I would if it was out of restoration.

Until that happens, I'm not sure you can relate to the market segment you're courting here.

Eric

[resq302]

Scott,

Thank you for replying and clearing up some things.  Chrysler pretty much lost my business for new cars after the fiasco I had with my 2005 Hemi Ram Quad cab that was "voluntarily" bought back after I started the lemon law procedure.  I do not want to go into any more details as that event is over and history now but it has left a VERY bad taste in my mouth about the quality of cars that Chrysler is producing.  My dad had a twin matching hemi ram quad cab, same year, color, everything!  We ordered them the same time.  Somehow, mine got lost for over a month leaving me without a vehicle to go to and from work in.  Coincidentally, his truck started knocking at 11,000 miles and brought it into the dealership where as he was told "oh, thats the hemi knock.  They all have that."  More than one dealership told him this.  This was a load of BS as with all the problems that my truck had, my engine did not make this sound!  Also, it is pretty bad when I placed my hand on the fender to reach to wash the center part of the hood of my truck, that my hand ended up creasing the metal of the fender.  I only weigh 185 lbs.   My police department that I work for had one Dodge Charger with the police package.  It was out of service for repairs more than it was actually in service!  Stuff varying from electrical problems that would cause the battery to go dead (that the dealership could not find) to having the car die when you went to chase someone for a motor vehicle violation and leave you stranded on the road.  This would have been cute if they were responding for someone having a cardiac arrest or pursuing a child abductor.  Also, a brand new vehicle should not go through 3 sets of brakes and rotors in 5000 miles like our patrol charger did!  Let alone break 2 motor mounts (yes the same one twice) and other issues.  Needless to say, we have gone back to the more reliable crown victoria FORD police interceptor patrol cars.  Yes, they may break, but at least they are in service more than they are out being repaired.

What I am getting at in this rant is that Chrysler needs to go back to building a more durable vehicle that will LAST!  Not cut corners on saving pennies but make a car that will last easily a 100,000 miles that is backed by dealerships and corporate should you have a problem in the basic warranty.  When Chrysler gets that fixed, then and only then, will you start seeing people start coming back to what Chrysler used to be which was a great company.  After they get the basics fixed, they can start focussing on their bodys of their cars.

[BigBlackDodge]

Generic response.


http://moparforums.com/forums/f62/dodge-seeking-your-input-4947/

http://www.srtforums.com/forums/f106/dodge-seeking-your-input-548444/


BBD

[Nacho-RT74]

Generic response.


http://moparforums.com/forums/f62/dodge-seeking-your-input-4947/

http://www.srtforums.com/forums/f106/dodge-seeking-your-input-548444/


BBD

I don't blame it... all the request will be the same in all boards LOL:

-better quality in cars AND PARTS ( including MP )
-more presence and support at shows.
-a Real Charger
-competitive Prices
-Forgett the cross grill

Then some others coul be diff from board to board. As I stated, maybe a convertible Chally but also a HARTOP ( not coupe with fixed quarter glass ) Chally, more support to Classic Mopars Owners, and go on...

[Ghoste]

I believe that Scott has the enthusiasm for the company and I believe in his sincerity to want to reach out to us.  But I still feel that he's a spin doctor who has been subcontracted by Chrysler and that he doesn't have the ability to effect change in regards to any of the common gripes that he must be reading.
He may get the opportunity to whisper in the ear of the people who can make these changes but if they actually gave a shit, they would have done them long ago.  I guarantee they have already heard the complaints for years and long ago decided that it wasn't profitable to care. (a flawed assumption on their part btw)
Build quality vehicles and sell them through a reputable dealer network that is HELD to the highest standards of integrity and customers will come back.  You don't need an internet wide quiz to figure that one out.

[Old Moparz]

I almost expect to see Billy Mays come back from the dead to post here.

[bull]

I wonder if he actually read any responses or just hit reply and pasted his form letter? Oh well. I think this thread is a metaphor for Chrysler's "dialogue" with its customers. Pretend to care what the people think, give them a blanket "your opinion matters" response and then do what you whatever you were going to do in the first place.

[MoparManJim]

Well Scott, to me all you and the company are out for is making $$$ from us folks on cars that doesn't even have style to them. They look all alike anymore and it's getting pretty boring if you ask me man. The cars and trucks anymore look so the same in design at a point where person can't almost tell them apart. In the old days cars and trucks was so designed and with style that you could easy tell them apart in a parking lot. Now days they all kinda blend in and togother. If you all really wanted o help us out and make us happy. Do yourself a favor, step back and out of the offices, go to a car museum and look at some of the old cars and the style they once had. Then go to your new so called new cars and take one heck of a good look at them and then come back here and tell us if you all have notice anything different between the two eras.   

Then maybe after you all see the light and what made the old cars sell so well back in the day and why so many folks alike love the old cars from days gone by. Then maybe just maybe if you all started to work with style once again like you all did back in the day, maybe your stuff will sell better once again. 

[resq302]

Well Scott, to me all you and the company are out for is making $$$ from us folks on cars that doesn't even have style to them. They look all alike anymore and it's getting pretty boring if you ask me man. The cars and trucks anymore look so the same in design at a point where person can't almost tell them apart. In the old days cars and trucks was so designed and with style that you could easy tell them apart in a parking lot. Now days they all kinda blend in and togother. If you all really wanted o help us out and make us happy. Do yourself a favor, step back and out of the offices, go to a car museum and look at some of the old cars and the style they once had. Then go to your new so called new cars and take one heck of a good look at them and then come back here and tell us if you all have notice anything different between the two eras.   

Then maybe after you all see the light and what made the old cars sell so well back in the day and why so many folks alike love the old cars from days gone by. Then maybe just maybe if you all started to work with style once again like you all did back in the day, maybe your stuff will sell better once again. 

I agree.  It was something called "Individuality" back then.  Back then, you could tell any car just by looking at the nose or the rear from a distance coming towards you or going away from you.  Like Jim said, todays cars all now look alike.  Hell, I can't even tell the difference at a quick glance between the charger and the avenger.

[skip68]

First of all, I have been, and continue to be a devout fan and owner of Chrysler products.  My very first vehicle was 1996 Plymouth Neon Sport Coupe.  After that was a 2000 Jeep Cherokee Classic 4x4, followed by a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x2, and a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x4.  Currently, I drive a 2008 Dodge Dakota Crew Cab Laramie 4X4.  So I drive the vehicles that I promote.

Scott,     What do these cars have to do with us and our classics.     You drive the new stuff and promote it and call yourself a fan.   I think you are missing the boat here and you are targeting the new Charger fans.  I think you sent out this message to any and all sites that came up with Dodge Charger/Challenger or Mopar.  This has nothing to do with us or our cars.  This is all about talking to the new Chrysler customers and getting input from them.   Nice try Scott, but sorry.... You are on the wrong site.   This is a "Classic" Charger site and it seems clear that you know nothing about the classics or care.    Thank you anyway.....   

[resq302]

First of all, I have been, and continue to be a devout fan and owner of Chrysler products.  My very first vehicle was 1996 Plymouth Neon Sport Coupe.  After that was a 2000 Jeep Cherokee Classic 4x4, followed by a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x2, and a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x4.  Currently, I drive a 2008 Dodge Dakota Crew Cab Laramie 4X4.  So I drive the vehicles that I promote.

Scott,     What do these cars have to do with us and our classics.     You drive the new stuff and promote it and call yourself a fan.   I think you are missing the boat here and you are targeting the new Charger fans.  I think you sent out this message to any and all sites that came up with Dodge Charger/Challenger or Mopar.  This has nothing to do with us or our cars.  This is all about talking to the new Chrysler customers and getting input from them.   Nice try Scott, but sorry.... You are on the wrong site.   This is a "Classic" Charger site and it seems clear that you know nothing about the classics or care.    Thank you anyway.....   

Taa taa now.  Bye bye then!

[hemi-hampton]

I think he is Sincere. From what I see working on new cars daily in a Collision shop is all cars today are made of cheap flimsy tin foil & plastic. I can see where things are purposely made to break easily just so the car companies can sell you more parts & make more money or easily total your new car so you got to buy another. Those flimsy rubbery emblems are a perfect example. Make them seperate letters & impossible to remove & reuse so you can sell a new set $50 & make money. All a money making racket.   LEON.

[MoparManJim]

Chuck, that is another very very good point you just made as well man. All he drives is the new stuff, maybe he should get behind the wheel of an old classic machine and drive it for alittle while then maybe he might sing another tunr if you get my drift. All he has driven so far was new stuff and I don't think he has driven anything from back in the day OR he would know what we are talking about here then. Thats why I said what I did in myother reply on here to him for. If they get there heads out of the area where the sun doesn't shine at then maybe they might see why they are not doing so well and why things are starting to go under for them anymore. Maybe just maybe if he steps out of that so called office and the others follow him and the ydriven an old classic car, they might see that the old era has something where as the new era DOESN"T have and that is why the new era is sucking like it is right now. I will admit here that some and only some of the new trucks does have alittle bit of style to them but there part of the style they get is what folks adds to them though  just to make them look cool and have alittle style. But all the cars that I have seen made from 2000 and on are all the same design really but with different badging on them. Heck Ford and Chevy anymore look the same and back in the day you could tell them apart but now days they look the same  . That is one reason why the companys are falling for anymore is because they are basicly copying each others designs but changing the names hoping to make sales.

Look at Ford and there new Mustang, you don't see any other car that looks anything like it on design. That car along stands out from other cars, why? because they went with "style" and that is one of the things why they sold alot of the cars for. Now look at Dodge, where is the style at? no where and that is why they are falling for.  

Look at the new Camero, that could have been named the charger and it would have even look like the original '68 charger would have also!  

The new Challenger looks cool BUT it's way to dang big though, it's bigger then the original car was also as it makes the original style car look like a baby.

First of all, I have been, and continue to be a devout fan and owner of Chrysler products.  My very first vehicle was 1996 Plymouth Neon Sport Coupe.  After that was a 2000 Jeep Cherokee Classic 4x4, followed by a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x2, and a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x4.  Currently, I drive a 2008 Dodge Dakota Crew Cab Laramie 4X4.  So I drive the vehicles that I promote.

Scott,     What do these cars have to do with us and our classics.    You drive the new stuff and promote it and call yourself a fan.   I think you are missing the boat here and you are targeting the new Charger fans.  I think you sent out this message to any and all sites that came up with Dodge Charger/Challenger or Mopar.  This has nothing to do with us or our cars.  This is all about talking to the new Chrysler customers and getting input from them.   Nice try Scott, but sorry.... You are on the wrong site.   This is a "Classic" Charger site and it seems clear that you know nothing about the classics or care.    Thank you anyway.....  

[Cooter]

First of all, I have been, and continue to be a devout fan and owner of Chrysler products.  My very first vehicle was 1996 Plymouth Neon Sport Coupe.  After that was a 2000 Jeep Cherokee Classic 4x4, followed by a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x2, and a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x4.  Currently, I drive a 2008 Dodge Dakota Crew Cab Laramie 4X4.  So I drive the vehicles that I promote.

Scott,     What do these cars have to do with us and our classics.    You drive the new stuff and promote it and call yourself a fan.   I think you are missing the boat here and you are targeting the new Charger fans.  I think you sent out this message to any and all sites that came up with Dodge Charger/Challenger or Mopar.  This has nothing to do with us or our cars.  This is all about talking to the new Chrysler customers and getting input from them.   Nice try Scott, but sorry.... You are on the wrong site.   This is a "Classic" Charger site and it seems clear that you know nothing about the classics or care.    Thank you anyway.....  

DEAD ON! AMEN! This is some kid who's never really been around anything with some real balls....Has never had to fire up a cold natured 500 C.I. stroked 440 and WAIT till it warms up enough to drive it to the last cruise night in 40 degree weather...I can't understand how OUR inut will mean anything to a younger guy that thinks 40" rims are the hot ticket cause that's what sells...NEVER DID answer any of our concerns, just expalined his role in the newer cars he drives. Scott, if you are in fact "Real" and do give a sh*t what we think, PROOVE it by telling Chrysler how they can REALLY get into the black again by designing cars that wpeople want instead of HAVE to have.......MAKE me want to go into my local Dodge Dealer if it still exists, and Plunk down $30K for a "New" charger.....I REALLY have a hard time believing you even know who "Supersoul" ,or "Kawalski" even is...