Episode Details

Stellantis is one of the world’s largest automakers, with manufacturers like Ram, Jeep, Chrysler, and Dodge all part of its portfolio. But the company has had a mixed reputation for quality in recent years. In last year’s J.D. Power U.S. Initial Quality Study, Chrysler and Ram ranked well below average, while Dodge and Jeep were above average.

To address this inconsistency, Stellantis is enhancing its focus on vehicle quality and has hired over 2,000 engineers to support this. It’s part of a “deep reset” inside Stellantis as it launches a series of new models.

A “Global Offensive” To Improve Quality

According to dealers, cost cuts made by previous leadership have resulted in some of the quality mishaps experienced by Stellantis in recent months and years. This includes the Charger Daytona, which was riddled with software issues when it first arrived. But current CEO Antonio Filosa has put the company on a “global offensive” to enhance quality.

“We are resetting execution and improving quality management processes to address previous operational issues triggered by past decisions,” said Filosa in a February earnings call, according to Automotive News. A key player in making this happen is Chief Quality Officer Sebastien Jacquet, who is part of the brand’s strategic leadership team.

In the aforementioned J.D. Power study, which tracks problems experienced with new cars over the first three months of ownership, Dodge ranked highest for all Stellantis brands, placing seventh with 180 problems per 100 vehicles. Jeep was 11th, but Chrysler was only 23rd and Ram was 25th. Ram’s 218 problems per 100 vehicles contrast sharply with top-ranked Lexus, which had just 166 problems.

Some blame the Dodge Charger Daytona and Jeep Wagoneer S’s troublesome launches on cost cutting under the tenure of Carlos Tavares, Stellantis’ previous CEO. That’s according to Sean Hogan, chairman of the Stellantis National Dealer Council.

“Antonio knew he needed to staff engineers, and he spent the money and he hired them in order to fix quality,” said Hogan. “When you make those cuts that Tavares did, and you still want the same quality, it’s just not going to happen.”

Related: Dodge Charger Daytona and Jeep Wagoneer S EVs Recalled for Rollaway Risk

New Platforms, New Problems

Part of Stellantis’ challenge has been