Chrysler may not have the most inspiring lineup in the industry, but the Michigan-based automaker is hard at work trying to right the ship. At last week’s New York Auto Show Chrysler president Jim Press confirmed that Chrysler would be eliminating most of its redundant models and now the company has launched the industry’s first Online Customer Advisory Board.
The new board — which will consist of 2,000 volunteers — is designed to open a line of communication between consumers and Chrysler. Unlike traditional focus groups that are usually a one time deal, the Online Customer Advisory Board will have members serve for several months at a time.
Chrysler will use the forum to listen to consumers’ ideas and feedback, but will also introduce new ideas to the group and gauge their reactions. But Erich Merkle, director of forecasting for IRN Inc., warns that Chrysler can’t use the board as a crutch. “You still need someone with an intuitive feel to make the decisions, not only for what customers want but for what customers don’t even know yet that they want,” Merkle told KickingTires.com. “You need someone like a Bob Lutz who says, ‘This is it.’”
As of now, the board is planned to operate online only, but group meetings and vehicle test drive have not been ruled out.
Chrysler is now accepting applications to participate in the program at www.ChryslerListens.com.
03/24, 2:35 PM
posted by:
CleanGTO
FIRST.
03/24, 2:37 PM
posted by:
CleanGTO
If their message board is anything like this one, it should certainly be a comedy of critical assholes, know-it-all comments, and cynical nay-sayers. It will most assuredly teach Chrysler a thing or two about the market that actually gives a good goddamn about cars. In other words, “this will be interesting”…
03/24, 3:09 PM
posted by:
Seriously
Maybe i’ll have better luck this way to pressure them into bringing back the Ramcharger. Thanks for ruining SUVs soccer moms, now go buy a minivan cause gas is so high.
03/24, 3:39 PM
posted by:
Impulsive
I’ll gladly partake in a position on the Advisory Board for six months … then I want $250k a year to be the Lutz of final decisions … I’ll fix this mess of a company … and send Nardelli to the assembly line where he belongs.
03/24, 4:31 PM
posted by:
jumpoffit
ramcharger eh- how bout the build the freakin Firepower concept from ‘05 or go BIG with the ME-Four Twelve from ‘04
incase some ppl don’t know what i’m talking about, here’s a place that shows both
http://www.rsportscars.com/chrysler/
03/24, 5:16 PM
posted by:
jjayc08
jumpoffit I think CHrysler needs some decent high volume product before it builds any expensive sports cars. Do you really think that the brand has any credibility left that would enable it to sell these at a profit?
03/24, 6:44 PM
posted by:
jjayc08
Jumpoff- That would be pretty cool, but I’d rather see the Viper get closer to that goal Chrysler set for those concepts than Chrysler make it’s own vehicle. Like whoever said that’s using my name, they do need something that will sell in volume, although I wouldn’t doubt Chrysler for making something along those lines.
03/24, 8:20 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
First guy they need to get a hold of is Al Bundy. No one has had the same Dodge as long as he has. Although I’m sure in reality there’s someone who has nursed a ‘lean burn’ 318 for the last 3 decades.
03/24, 8:56 PM
posted by:
autonut
If it’s anything like Home Depot web site and their response, then all complaints will be used to push advertisement to complainers, ugm advisers.
03/24, 10:12 PM
posted by:
lucklaster
I’m in. No, I’m out. No, I’m back in…
03/25, 2:47 PM
posted by:
vLane
The only people who would care enough to participate are probably existing Chrysler owners, who, let’s face it, have different and markedly lower standards of what constitutes a quality car.
And that’s on top of the usual dangers of design-by-commitee.
03/25, 3:32 PM
posted by:
Need more oil for GM
Here’s an idea for the customer advisory board. Tell people if they want the highest quality, reliable piece of transportation, head to their local GM dealer because Cerebus-Chrysler has nothing even close. Maybe then Americans will forgive them for decades of crap that they’ve spewed on the market.