this article requires you to take the leap of faith, that because a vehicle is easier to build it makes it better. . .I’m not buying that, its not a race. Ever heard the expression quality not quantity?

The worst problem with Chrysler products are the interiors.

agreed on the interiors. although i think the new Ram is the first to showcase revised interior. well, it cant get any worse than what it is…

That is true bloex, the 2009 Ram interior is great looking, but look what they stuck the Challenger with.

Toledo, Ohio plant produces least reliable vehicles in US. How does that help? Accidentally, those Jeeps retain their value better then most reliable Accords produced in very same Ohio.
Toyota knows how to bank on its productivity. In the case of Chrysler it just litters their dealer lots. That’s a problem ( not for Toyota)

its a shame they have old men at the helm of chrysler. drap plastic boring grey interior. ulgy designs apart from the vipers challagers prowlers… its because the old men like old boring things and have no taste and want tractor engins in side new cars… im shocked we dnt have a hole under it so we and run the cars like the flint stones.

The article’s headline is extremeley misleading at best.

The study doesn’t show that Chrysler is “just as good as Toyota at building cars”. The study shows that Chrysler is “just as FAST as Toyota at building cars”.

HUGE difference there.

Although I think Toyota makes a ten times better product than Chrysler I think what the LLN people are trying to say Sigma, is that Chrysler is just as good at “building” as in the actual verb/act of constructing an automobile.

Maybe they out to take MORE time to make a vehicle, and concentrate on getting their fit & finish up to a level better than 1986 standards…

That’s it right there SigmaH. In their defence however, I have a new Grand Caravan as company wheels and it is pretty well screwed together, especially compared to my old ‘02. Several people have even commented on how nice it rides.

Does this take into account that you can effiently produce crappy vehicles? For example, Porsche is number with the least problems report per 100 vehicles. I believe that number is 92 problems per 100 vehicles. I know Lexus is in 2nd place and Hyundai takes the 3rd spot… yes, Hyundai.

Chrysler’s only real issues are lack of fuel efficient engines and garbage interiors (excluding the 2009 Ram). Another issue is that they lag behind even Ford and GM in transmission tech. That is why Chrysler is developing the new Phoenix engines and the transmission design being designed with Getrag. After the Phoenix engines come out, Chrysler needs to focus on its 4 cylinder engines.

The Jeep Wrangler isn’t the least reliable vehicle on the market at all. Though it stands to reason that its simplicity in engineering makes it easier to assemble.

If Chrysler is just as efficient in producing vehicles as Toyota, that’s a good sign for them. That means that they’re running a trim, lean production schedule and getting the most of their man hours out of their employees.

I’m surprised the Impala is #2. It’s got great quality and reliability. Though it’s on a platform that is in its 21st season. So GM’s had plenty of time to make its production efficient.

The parts count on a Wrangler is probably quite a bit lower than on a “traditional” car or truck. A basic wrangler is missing a few things, like windows and interior panels, that have to add to assembly time. A 13 hour assembly helps to explain why Wrangler paint often looks like it was applied with a broom.

The less time it takes, the less money automakers have to pay their employees. Yet another cost-cutting strategy

That explains why the Wrangler is such a piece of ****.

The Wrangler is a great vehicle if you need an off roader, what it really needs is a diesel.

No wonder Chrysler’s and Toyota’s quality went down, when Ford’s improved. You need to be fast only if you’re trying to catch flees.

Spingood Tanoya, are you implying that paint was not applied with a broom?

Now Chrysler can take those numbers to the bank.

just as good as toyota
not as goos as Ford
1-0!
Lakersare fakers!

Ford is not that good either.

They’re talking strictly about quantity, in that respect anyone can spew out the same number of vehicles if they want to since quality is not part of the equation. It’s nothing to be proud of, I’d say the only thing a manufacturer can be proud of is the sales numbers. Nothing else matters, this is business afterall not religion.

How about some interesting news LLN, like the fact that the 2009 Porsche 911 just showed up on the auto news wires.

The quote form NYTimes:
Chrysler’s Jeep brand ranked last in the latest survey, with 167 problems per 100 vehicles, 6 more than last year. Its Dodge brand was 28th, with 141 problems, followed by Chrysler, with 142. The industry average was 118 problems per 100 vehicles.

That’s the same Jeep that takes no time to assemble. I guess Cerberus has their work cut out for them. Maybe they should spend more time assuring quality workmanship?

Chrysler is better than Toyota