Even though it hasn’t been too long since Fiat and Chrysler LLC merged to become partners, their first creation is almost here. Before it makes its debut, the 2013 Dodge Dart went though numerous types of testing and evaluations, many of which came over from Italy. A Fiat/Alfa Romeo derived Metrology Center was placed in the Belvidere Assembly Plant, the Dart’s home, so that the U.S. version of an Italian chassis could be born. Before the compact can make its return and turn a mile in the hands of the public, it is currently working up a sweet testing. Dart engineers have currently racked up more than 8.5 million miles in mules to make sure that when the Dodge sets out to tears up the streets, it will do so strong.
“We obsessed over the quality and refinement of the Dodge Dart as it was developed, tested and built,” said Doug Betts, Senior Vice President for Quality at Chrysler Group LLC. In order to prepare for the Dart and to ensure it received the kind of attention wanted to produce a success story, the Belvidere plant was given a total of $20 million in new quality tools and processes. Since the starting point for the Dart is the Italian hatchback known as the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, Dodge engineers had plenty of time early on to inspect the compact Italian. We’re starting with a great architecture that helps us achieve our strict performance quality standards that will make the Dart very competitive in the North America compact sedan segment,” Betts said.
Source: Dodge
