If you haven’t been inside a Chrysler recently, we recommend you go to your local dealer and check out the huge improvement in interior quality the automaker has worked so hard to get right. Previously known for their “cheap plastic interior,” Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles now feature interiors with soft touch and solid materials.
Ralph Gilles, senior vice president of product design for Chrysler Group admitted that the company had previously put an emphasis on ergonomics above design, materials and fit.
“It was a festival of polypropylene,” Gilles said. “You can make plastic look good, but we made plastic look even harder than plastic.”
Now, with the help of Fiat SpA, Chrysler is not only focusing on redesigning vehicles and increasing sales, it is also taking interiors of its vehicles to a new level. The company has already received much applause for the interiors of the Dodge Charger Rallye Plus and the Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Summit.
While some of the improvement comes from an increased emphasis on materials Gilles said that Chrysler’s team is now packed with designers and engineers who are dedicated to interiors, not just reassigned exterior stylists. He said that the quality of interiors will continue to be part of the company’s rebirth.
- By: Roman Bronfenbrener
Source: AutoWeek
