Calling quality the automotive equivalent to 'blocking and tackling' in football, Zetsche proclaimed that Chrysler quality was already rapidly improving, but added, "We will never rest until we match the world's benchmark." Zetsche cited the most recent J.D. Power Initial Quality Survey, which showed Chrysler Group passenger cars ahead of all domestic makes and better than many import manufacturers. In addition, Consumer Reports rated Chrysler Group vehicles best for reliability among U.S. manufacturers in its April edition, with fewer problems recorded on average than European-built vehicles. Five of the company's models earned a Consumer Reports "Recommended" rating, up from three the year before.
Regarding the financial strength of the Chrysler Group, Zetsche said the company was "building on the strengths of an American icon." In 2001, Chrysler Group over-achieved on all its cost targets to allow the company to save $3.3 billion, and "the efficiencies are starting to pay off." He said the $30 billion program spending over the next five years was far less than the previous plan of $42 billion, but actually added five more products to the pipeline.
While saying that Chrysler Group was "American to the core," Zetsche added that the company has been able to take advantage of new resources gained from its DaimlerChrysler partners to make itself stronger. "We are now part of a larger organization, and that has many more benefits. It's a formula that none of the other domestic automotive manufacturers are able to tap into ... including access to the cutting-edge European technology of Mercedes-Benz."