2013 Chrysler Town & Country Leads Minivan Segment in Initial Quality

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., June 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --   

• Chrysler Town & Country ranks highest for initial quality in minivan segment
• Chrysler 300 ranks in top three of large car segment

The most-awarded minivan Chrysler Town & Country earns another honor as the highest-ranking minivan in the J.D. Power 2013 U.S. Initial Quality Study^SM (IQS).

IQS is based on responses from more than 83,000 owners of new 2013 model-year vehicles who were surveyed about issues with their vehicles after 90 days of ownership. The study asks customers to identify issues with the vehicle's design, as well as defects.

"The Chrysler Town & Country is the highest-ranking minivan in two of the three most recent initial quality reports," said Doug Betts, Senior Vice President – Quality, Chrysler Group. "The team at Windsor Assembly Plant has really embraced World Class Manufacturing and recognizes that every employee has a role in improving the quality of our vehicles."

The minivan assembly plant in Windsor, Ontario, is one of four Chrysler Group manufacturing plants to achieve the bronze level following a World Class Manufacturing audit, meaning they have demonstrated clear know-how and competence in eliminating waste in the manufacturing process while improving productivity and quality.

The Chrysler brand moved up 10 positions in this year's study and the Chrysler 300 series ranked third for initial quality in the large car segment.

In releasing its revamped study, J.D. Power noted that nearly two-thirds of the problems reported by customers across the entire industry were related to the vehicle's design, as opposed to components with a defect or malfunction.

"We don't want our customers inconvenienced by any issue, regardless of whether it's something that breaks or a design feature the customer doesn't like," Betts explained. "Quality means different things to different customers and we design and build vehicles to appeal to a diverse customer base. Chrysler Group has defined six different types of quality and we have teams working hard to make improvements across the board."

2013 Chrysler Town & Country 
Chrysler Town & Country is the most-awarded minivan with the highest owner loyalty in the segment, and the most innovative seating and storage system with Standard Stow 'n Go Seats. Town & Country's award-winning powertrain delivers best-in-class horsepower without sacrificing fuel efficiency. The 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine is a two-time "Ward's 10 Best Engine" winner and produces 283 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque. The V-6 is mated to the 62TE six-speed automatic transmission. A fuel economizer mode helps the driver maximize fuel efficiency, and premium, lower-rolling-resistance tires, and low-drag brake calipers and rear bearings make great fuel economy possible. Chrysler Town & Country achieves 17 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city, 25 on the highway.

2013 Chrysler 300
For those who work hard to achieve their place in the world, the 2013 Chrysler 300 series sedans are designed to reward the determination of these individuals with even more luxury, world-class technology, value, performance and, of course, the bravado expected from the Motor City's luxury sedan. Designed with the technology and craftsmanship of sedans costing tens of thousands more, the Chrysler 300 is the segment's most luxurious sedan with a surprising array of standard amenities, including best-in-class V-6 fuel economy (31 mpg highway), state-of-the-art eight-speed transmission, innovative Uconnect 8.4 with the segment's largest touchscreen and standard heated leather seats.

SOURCE Chrysler Group LLC