Chrysler CEO Tom LaSorda and COO Eric Ridenour are “quite upset” and many other employees are “outraged” with the outcome of the Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Nitro projects, Bob Lee, head of powertrain engineering wrote in an internal questionnaire obtained by the Detroit News.
Lee says the company “missed where the market was to end up versus our projections.” He says Chrysler misjudged what the competition would offer in terms of interior quality, ride, noise and vibration, and fuel economy. Many enthusiasts have also been critical of the styling of both vehicles.
“As a result of these embarrassing ‘misses,’ there are extremely aggressive actions being taken on many of the existing products — and also the yet to be introduced products to get us at least to the middle of the competitive pack in very short order,” Lee wrote.
Chrysler spokesman Rick Deneau told the newspaper the Q&A document was never meant to go public, but is authentic.
