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I had a discussion with someone who has personal, inside knowledge of the actual production of the Dart. Based on what was shared to me, I felt so strongly compelled to share what I heard. Of course I tried my best to keep this person as anonymous as possible. Those that read this and chose to purchase that's fine, just now you have knowledge on your side and can make the best decision for yourself or a family member.
The major issue is simply production over quality. The plant cares not about anything regarding quality and putting it together well. The actual assembly line people are given infractions if the production is slowed or stopped to fix an issue; be it small or large. They are praised for the amount of cars that come off the assembly line and certainly not for the quality. This has resulted in nearly 50% of the cars going to the side for another mechanic to 'fix' the problem. This is not laziness per se of the workers, it is fear of losing their jobs.
The 50% I mentioned a lot seems to be minor, stupid mistakes. Like grease on the seats- requiring removal of bad seat and installation of a new one. Others are issues with the paint on exterior being scratched. Things that when you hear it seems that no one is taking a sense of ownership within the assembly line.
Some issues mentioned to me is the hood. Apparently the Dart hood has a type of curvature that is new. Issue seems to be that the hood simply does not close over the wheel casing. This happens with SOME of the cars but not all- so it isn't a design issue. The reason is unknown why some are great and some hoods just don't close. The plant dudes that are working of this issue as it is serious. These seem to be fixed prior to being released from the plant, but many are still waiting for a fix, some are simply scrapped.
In regards to actual body of the car there are issues with some assembly line people not taking the time to drill in the screws (6 in front, 6 in back) in alignment. Making the screws for the front/rear bottom of the car ****** up. The problem was resolved by my friend who took care of both sides- but this person was demonized because management only wanted to have the front end taken care of 'not both'! Well-- if one side is kitty wompus it screws up the whole frame, no?
A/C units not even plugged into the electrical system. This requiring a complete gut job to connect the electrical. Same issue for the windows. Wrong colored doors put on. (How does that happen?? Again-- don't get in the way of the production machine!!)
The actual parts for the car pre-production are excellent. So far as I understand all the cars that do leave the plant for sale are in good shape. It's the huge glut of 50% that are not, waiting to be fixed by dedicated mechanics whose sole job is to fix these errors, mistakes. This is from an automaker that's been in business long enough to know better. You would think that after the difficult economy, recession that hit the automotive industry in the US that they'd have learned a few lessons.
It seems that maybe they haven't--or at least have not conveyed that to the assembly people. Based soley on what I heard from this person this problem stems directly from upper management--where they do not dare stop the line to fix a problem and that is certainly known to those on the floor. Upper management culture is production, production, production. They know better, they drink Pepto Bismol by the gallon because of these issues which to me hearing it would seem to allow the assembly line workers autonomy to correct the issues on the spot. However it seems they are allotted a small amount of time to do a specific job and then the car moves on down the line.
Again, this person could not take the ridiculousness of how this plant was operated and couldn't be paid mega bucks to stay which is why person left. Nor would this person consider purchasing a Dart, though it's adorable, has much else going for it. The concern was what was missed in production that was over looked by the mechanics post production pre-release? Too many things...
How would this bode for your purchase? Just be smart. Look at everything on the vehicle, paint, electrical, hood, even the underside of the car. These are the primary concerns at the plant and they should be yours too. Those mechanics looking at the car post production are doing them very critically and THEY have autonomy to what's right by the car and you the customer but they're human.
For me and my potential purchase--I am still debating on getting a Dart. It has a lot going for it. Perhaps what was shared with me is an ongoing issue within the automotive industry and its like hearing about someones orthopedic operation. You never knew all the horrible things that must be done to correct that ACL until you get an inside scoop--but the end result is a person walking around upright and pain free. *shrugs*.
The major issue is simply production over quality. The plant cares not about anything regarding quality and putting it together well. The actual assembly line people are given infractions if the production is slowed or stopped to fix an issue; be it small or large. They are praised for the amount of cars that come off the assembly line and certainly not for the quality. This has resulted in nearly 50% of the cars going to the side for another mechanic to 'fix' the problem. This is not laziness per se of the workers, it is fear of losing their jobs.
The 50% I mentioned a lot seems to be minor, stupid mistakes. Like grease on the seats- requiring removal of bad seat and installation of a new one. Others are issues with the paint on exterior being scratched. Things that when you hear it seems that no one is taking a sense of ownership within the assembly line.
Some issues mentioned to me is the hood. Apparently the Dart hood has a type of curvature that is new. Issue seems to be that the hood simply does not close over the wheel casing. This happens with SOME of the cars but not all- so it isn't a design issue. The reason is unknown why some are great and some hoods just don't close. The plant dudes that are working of this issue as it is serious. These seem to be fixed prior to being released from the plant, but many are still waiting for a fix, some are simply scrapped.
In regards to actual body of the car there are issues with some assembly line people not taking the time to drill in the screws (6 in front, 6 in back) in alignment. Making the screws for the front/rear bottom of the car ****** up. The problem was resolved by my friend who took care of both sides- but this person was demonized because management only wanted to have the front end taken care of 'not both'! Well-- if one side is kitty wompus it screws up the whole frame, no?
A/C units not even plugged into the electrical system. This requiring a complete gut job to connect the electrical. Same issue for the windows. Wrong colored doors put on. (How does that happen?? Again-- don't get in the way of the production machine!!)
The actual parts for the car pre-production are excellent. So far as I understand all the cars that do leave the plant for sale are in good shape. It's the huge glut of 50% that are not, waiting to be fixed by dedicated mechanics whose sole job is to fix these errors, mistakes. This is from an automaker that's been in business long enough to know better. You would think that after the difficult economy, recession that hit the automotive industry in the US that they'd have learned a few lessons.
It seems that maybe they haven't--or at least have not conveyed that to the assembly people. Based soley on what I heard from this person this problem stems directly from upper management--where they do not dare stop the line to fix a problem and that is certainly known to those on the floor. Upper management culture is production, production, production. They know better, they drink Pepto Bismol by the gallon because of these issues which to me hearing it would seem to allow the assembly line workers autonomy to correct the issues on the spot. However it seems they are allotted a small amount of time to do a specific job and then the car moves on down the line.
Again, this person could not take the ridiculousness of how this plant was operated and couldn't be paid mega bucks to stay which is why person left. Nor would this person consider purchasing a Dart, though it's adorable, has much else going for it. The concern was what was missed in production that was over looked by the mechanics post production pre-release? Too many things...
How would this bode for your purchase? Just be smart. Look at everything on the vehicle, paint, electrical, hood, even the underside of the car. These are the primary concerns at the plant and they should be yours too. Those mechanics looking at the car post production are doing them very critically and THEY have autonomy to what's right by the car and you the customer but they're human.
For me and my potential purchase--I am still debating on getting a Dart. It has a lot going for it. Perhaps what was shared with me is an ongoing issue within the automotive industry and its like hearing about someones orthopedic operation. You never knew all the horrible things that must be done to correct that ACL until you get an inside scoop--but the end result is a person walking around upright and pain free. *shrugs*.
