Marchionne blames design 'dummies' for poor Chrysler 200 reception
#1
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
Marchionne blames design 'dummies' for poor Chrysler 200 reception
This one is dedicated to Mike (mmarshall)...
Source: Autoblog
Mike has been harping on this subject for a while now. I have to say (now) that I agree with Mike.
You must feel some vindication, Mike, now that a major (and outspoken) automaker CEO agrees with you!
I like the new Chrysler 200. In fact, we have one in the office this week, and every time I see it outside, I think to myself, "That's a really good looking car." But truly good automotive design allows form to perfectly blend with function, and that's where the 200 falls short – so short, in fact, that Chrysler's midsize sedan has yet to earn a full recommendation from the folks at Consumer Reports.
The problem? That slick roof design. During an interview at the Detroit Auto Show this month, Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne said the 200's rear roofline compromised ingress and egress from the rear seats, and that's why CR can't fully recommend it. "The 200 failed because somebody thought that the rear-seat entry point inside the 200 – which is our fault, by the way – is not up to snuff," Marchionne said to Automotive News.
Marchionne went on to say that FCA's designers copied the roofline of the Hyundai Sonata, which "has the same problem." He continued, "We didn't copy the car, we copied the entry point to the rear seat. Dummies. I acknowledge it."
Harsh words, but Marchionne isn't alone in his sentiments. FCA design boss Ralph Gilles tweeted today, "He is right, we might have gone too aggressively after aero. Which we achieved as it is best in class. No free lunch."
So yes, the 200 looks good. But following this incident, perhaps a redesign will ditch that sloping roof for something that's a bit more functional.
The problem? That slick roof design. During an interview at the Detroit Auto Show this month, Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne said the 200's rear roofline compromised ingress and egress from the rear seats, and that's why CR can't fully recommend it. "The 200 failed because somebody thought that the rear-seat entry point inside the 200 – which is our fault, by the way – is not up to snuff," Marchionne said to Automotive News.
Marchionne went on to say that FCA's designers copied the roofline of the Hyundai Sonata, which "has the same problem." He continued, "We didn't copy the car, we copied the entry point to the rear seat. Dummies. I acknowledge it."
Harsh words, but Marchionne isn't alone in his sentiments. FCA design boss Ralph Gilles tweeted today, "He is right, we might have gone too aggressively after aero. Which we achieved as it is best in class. No free lunch."
So yes, the 200 looks good. But following this incident, perhaps a redesign will ditch that sloping roof for something that's a bit more functional.
Mike has been harping on this subject for a while now. I have to say (now) that I agree with Mike.
You must feel some vindication, Mike, now that a major (and outspoken) automaker CEO agrees with you!
#4
Lexus Champion
honestly I think its a nice looking sedan....but no way I would buy one unless it was just a crazy stupid deal over an Accord/Sonata/Civic/etc.
CR's take...
CR's take...
#6
Lexus Champion
I actually think it's a beautifully styled car, but as a mid size family sedan, it needs some more priority on packaging to be competitive. I also suspect its reputation/name may hold it back.
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#8
Lexus Test Driver
Function over form for midsize sedans. Maybe thats why all mid-sizers are bubble shaped now Form over function for the RWD sports sedans though...my IS350 barely has a useable back seat
#9
^ I think its the way it drives might also be hampering sales. I've read a review of the basic 4 cylinder car(what most people buy) saying the handling was rather boaty, the transmission never knew what gear to be in and shifts were slow(common complaint of the ZF 9 speed automatic), the brakes were spongy, acceleration was just okay, it was loud, fuel economy isn't as good as its competitors, etc.
#10
Lead Lap
I was one of the biggest supporters of the 200 but this market is hyper competitive and the volume model, the 2.4L I4, is killing its sales. The car is fundamentally good in a class of great cars.
That's not true at all. Not one review has claimed that it's bad or anywhere near the quality of the last-gen. This class requires no obvious weaknesses and the 200's are unfortunately readily apparent in volume model form. The Pentastar-equipped model is a lot better but only accounts for a small percentage of sales.
This is what annoys me the most. Marchionne glossed right over that the fact that the Tigershark 2.4L I4 is woefully outclassed. It's drunk on fuel, loud, and was paired with a 9-speed ZF transmission that just now got completely fixed for 2016.
^ I think its the way it drives might also be hampering sales. I've read a review of the basic 4 cylinder car(what most people buy) saying the handling was rather boaty, the transmission never knew what gear to be in and shifts were slow(common complaint of the ZF 9 speed automatic), the brakes were spongy, acceleration was just okay, it was loud, fuel economy isn't as good as its competitors, etc.
#11
I had a 200 for rental and it was the worst engine / transmission combo I've ever driven. It felt as slow / bad as the chevy cruz I had on another trip and the cruz is another class of car.
Styling is fantastic tho.
Also drove like a boat, steering super light and lots of dead zone.
Styling is fantastic tho.
Also drove like a boat, steering super light and lots of dead zone.
#12
Lexus Test Driver
I wouldn't even consider a chevy cruz as a real car. cant even see them driving down the road. downright hateful things they are. driving one angers me and makes me want to punch people.
#13
Man that's a lot of hate for what I think is a good(not great) car. I'd take a Cruze any day of the week over a Focus or the last gen Corolla. It has a really solid feel both in the way its constructed, the way it rides, its quiet, basically it doesn't feel like the bad old days GM. Plus I like the styling and interior layout.
#14
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
I had a 200 for rental and it was the worst engine / transmission combo I've ever driven. It felt as slow / bad as the chevy cruz I had on another trip and the cruz is another class of car.
Styling is fantastic tho.
Also drove like a boat, steering super light and lots of dead zone.
Styling is fantastic tho.
Also drove like a boat, steering super light and lots of dead zone.
#15
Lexus Champion
Man that's a lot of hate for what I think is a good(not great) car. I'd take a Cruze any day of the week over a Focus or the last gen Corolla. It has a really solid feel both in the way its constructed, the way it rides, its quiet, basically it doesn't feel like the bad old days GM. Plus I like the styling and interior layout.