Chrysler PT Cruiser Crash Test Failure
In March of 2000, DaimlerChrysler began production of a new vehicle called the PT Cruiser. The PT Cruiser was based on the Neon small-car platform, but featured an upright design, which maximized interior volume. The vehicle met all federal crash test standards, including driver and passenger protection in a 30 mph fixed barrier frontal impact. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA, performs further crash tests on new vehicles to give consumers more information about the safety of new products. NHTSA typically performs its tests at a speed 5mph faster than the federal standard. The PT Cruiser performed well in nearly all the tests, receiving either four or five stars for protection of the passengers in frontal, side, and rear impact accidents. For driver protection in a 35 mph fixed barrier frontal impact, however, the PT Cruiser received only two stars, indicating a significant chance of severe injury. Chrysler maintained that they put a safe vehicle on the road, but NHTSA stood firm with their rating. Our group studied the Ford Pinto disaster previously this semester, and when we heard about this problem we decided that it would be fitting to use it as o
Chrysler's final task in our plan will be to dispose of the reacquired PT Cruisers (the buybacks that the customers turned in to Chrysler). These vehicles will be updated with the new safety features and resold at auction with a Disclosure Notice in the windshield that explains why the vehicle was repurchased, and what repairs were made to the vehicle to improve its safety. Once Chrysler has found a way to repair the old PT Cruisers, they must contact the Cruiser owners, and inform them of their options. Chrysler already employs a company in Dallas, Texas called the National Center for Dispute Settlement (NCDS) to handle cases like this1. NCDS will inform owners of old PT Cruisers that because of the driver safety problem with the vehicle, they are being offered a chance to own a safer vehicle, in order to promote customer satisfaction. The customers will be given three options. The first option is that the customer may trade in his/her PT Cruiser for a new one with updated safety features. The old Cruiser will become property of DaimlerChrysler, and the customer must pay mileage fees (ten cents a mile). In cases of a lien or a lease, NCDS will perform an exchange of collateral (VIN. numbers are switched, but the terms of the lien/lease remain the same) with the leasing company or lien holder. This option will also be given to dealerships that have unsold Cruisers on the lot. The second option is a repurchase, in which the customer will be paid the MSRP of the vehicle, minus mileage and financing fees. In cases where the Cruiser is leased, NCDS will buy the vehicle back from the bank, and refund the customer. The last option is the customer may have his/her old PT Cruiser updated with new safety features free of charge. DaimlerChrysler will provide the customer with a rental car while the old vehicle is in the shop. Additionally, DaimlerChrysler will reimburse the customer for the inconvenience with a sum of $500. Chrysler PT Cruiser $1400 $1455.25 $1405.50
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 4004
Approximate Pages = 16 (250 words per page double spaced)
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