A design choice has resulted in a poor reception for the Chrysler 200 mid-size sedan, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles' outspoken chief executive has said.
by Staff
January 26, 2016
Photo of 2015 Chrysler 200 by Vince Taroc.
1 min to read
Photo of 2015 Chrysler 200 by Vince Taroc.
A design choice has resulted in a poor reception for the Chrysler 200 mid-size sedan, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles' outspoken chief executive has said.
Sergio Marchionne told Automotive News that the vehicle, which received an extensive redesign with the 2015 model year, is "not up to snuff" because designers borrowed a design element from a Hyundai vehicle that caused a problem when passengers entered and exited the rear seats. Marchionne pointed to the slope of the roof.
Ad Loading...
"The Hyundai which we copied [presumably the Sonata] has the same problem," Marchionne said. "We didn't copy the car, we copied the entry point to the rear seat. Dummies. I acknowledge it. Some people from design left some of their private parts on the table after we came up with that determination. But I think we're learning from this process."
Despite the concern over the vehicle, Chrysler 200 sales increased 51.57% to 177,889 units to retail and fleet buyers during the 2015 calendar year. Sales had fallen to 117,363 in 2014 from 122,836 in 2013. That year, Chrysler sold more than 40% of its 200 cars to fleets, mostly in the rental segment. Commercial fleets added 2,023 200 cars that year.
AI is no longer a future concept for fleets—it’s already embedded in the tools, data, and decisions that operators rely on every day. In this episode of the Fleet Forward Podcast, recorded live at Fleet Forward, industry leaders take the conversation beyond hype to examine what responsible AI adoption really looks like in fleet operations.
As fleets rethink how they capture, manage, and act on vehicle data, telematics is at a major inflection point. In this episode of the Fleet Forward Podcast, we dive deep into one of the most pressing questions facing fleet leaders today: Should you rely on OEM factory-installed connectivity, aftermarket devices, or a hybrid of both?
Experts from telematics analytics, fleet-as-a-service operations, and national EV benchmarking share how real-time data is reshaping fleet strategy—dispelling assumptions, validating best practices, and exposing costly missteps.
A powerhouse panel featuring experts from the American Automotive Leasing Association, CalSTART, and municipal fleet leadership dives into the realities of navigating shifting emissions rules, regulatory waivers, federal agency actions, the future of the EPA’s endangerment finding, and the push for unified standards. They also examine the impacts of tariffs, autonomous vehicle policy, battery innovation, and the accelerating global EV market.
This episode kicks off with a deep dive into the technologies and market forces reshaping today’s fleet landscape. Host Chris Brown is joined by Laolu Adeola (Leke Services), Tyson Jomini (J.D. Power), and Richard Hall (ZappiRide) to break down real-world data, shifting incentives, and practical strategies fleet leaders can use right now.
In the middle of natural disasters fleet managers must shift priorities to protect people and assets. What policy items should be loosened, and when should the line be held?
In this episode, fleet leaders from municipal, university, and private-sector organizations share a candid EV reality check. From infrastructure setbacks and policy whiplash to grant funding, total cost of ownership, and charging resiliency, this conversation dives into what it actually takes to scale electrification in the real world.
After a decade of lagging compensation, fleet manager pay is climbing. But expanding responsibilities, larger fleets, and growing complexity continue to redefine the role.
