While the past few years have been difficult times for the Big Three, the last decade has been a particularly tough stretch for Chrysler . The Michigan-based automaker’s sales have been hurt by an SUV and truck-heavy lineup and its interiors have been criticized for being substandard, but Chrysler believes it has a way to bolster sales in the short term.
Instead of waiting for the typical mid-cycle refresh to make improvements to its vehicles, Chrysler will add improvements as they become available.
Chrysler just launched its brand-new line of minivans last year — the Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country — but will add several new features to the 2009 models. Some of the improvements will include a new backseat entertainment system, blind-spot warning system and a new back up monitoring system. By year’s end, Chrysler also hopes to have a wireless internet option available through its Mopar division.
The 2009 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 are also slated to get new technology. According to The Detroit News, both cars will be available with a new all-wheel drive system for 2009 that gets the same fuel economy as the two-wheel drive models.
While it remains to be seen if the improvements on the fly will help sales, it’s at least a step in the right direction until Chrysler’s crop of new, more refined small cars hit the market.
