Dodge’s Revamped Lineup Gets Biggest Boost in New J.D. Power Research

Hot Springs, 08/08/2012 / SubmitMyPR /

In November 2009, Dodge announced a five-year plan to revamp its brand and reignite its appeal to car buyers. The strategy included releasing six all-new models by 2014, as well as refreshing existing models with improved engines, sleeker exteriors and higher-quality interiors. With a few years left before Dodge’s vision is complete, buyers are already responding positively, as the auto brand was recently found to be the most improved in the J.D. Power and Associates 2012 Automotive, Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study.

J.D. Power’s 2012 APEAL Study evaluated survey responses from more than 74,000 purchasers and lessees of new 2012-model-year vehicles after 90 days of ownership to determine which models are most gratifying to buyers. With results calculated on a 1,000-point scale based on more than 80 vehicle attributes, Dodge showed the most improvement year-over-year, increasing 21 points. For the second-straight year, the Dodge Challenger was rated best in the Midsize Sporty segment, while the Dodge Charger topped the Large Car segment.

“Dodge is proving that its renewed lineup can attract passionate car buyers with higher levels of quality and performance,” said Tim Parker, dealer principal of Tim Parker Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, a Hot Springs, Arkansas Dodge dealer. “The brand’s two repeating APEAL winners are great examples, because both the Challenger and Charger jumped to the top of their segments last year after they each received the new award-winning Pentastar V6 engine.”

The 2012 Dodge Challenger maintains the 305-horsepower 3.6-liter Pentastar engine that the car gained for the 2011 model year, as well as the revised suspension, steering and brakes. Avid performance enthusiasts can also opt for the 2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392, which uses a 6.4-liter HEMI V8 engine to reach 470 horsepower and sprint from zero to 60 mph in less than five seconds.

In the 2012 Dodge Charger, the Pentastar V6 produces 292 horsepower while returning an impressive 31 mpg on the highway when paired with the eight-speed automatic transmission. The latest Charger keeps the changes from its 2011-model-year refresh, including a more aggressive front fascia outside and soft-touch materials inside. Like the 2012 Challenger, the 2012 Charger features an SRT8 trim that uses the same HEMI V8 to generate an identical 470 horsepower.

A key component of Dodge’s five-year product plan, the all-new 2013 Dart compact car, arrived at dealerships in June with 14 interior combinations, 12 exterior colors and three efficient engines to choose from. While the Dodge Dart wasn’t released in time to be included in J.D. Power’s 2012 APEAL Study, the findings suggest that car buyers are opting for smaller vehicles that don’t sacrifice breadth of features. Twenty-seven percent of new buyers surveyed selected a model in a smaller segment than their previous vehicle, compared to the 13 percent of shoppers that chose to upsize their ride.

“Today’s buyers want smaller vehicles that can get better fuel efficiency, but they don’t want to sit in traffic in a stripped-down interior surrounded by the same exact model in other lanes,” added Parker. “The new Dodge Dart addresses that need by offering up to 39 mpg on the highway, soft-touch materials and tons of ways to customize its looks, including more than 150 available Mopar accessories.”

About Tim Parker Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram:
A winner of Chrysler’s Five-Star Dealer and Environmental Leadership awards, Tim Parker Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram has been serving Arkansas drivers for years with new and pre-owned car sales, service and parts at their Hot Springs auto dealership. Whether you’re looking for a Ram 1500, Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger or Jeep Wrangler, Tim Parker Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram will find your ideal model with their unmatched customer-first approach. You can visit their showroom located at 4722 Central Ave. in Hot Springs, call them at 888-227-1487 or find them online at www.timparkerchrysler.com. They can also be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TimParkerAuto.