AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -

AutoNation chairman and chief executive officer Mike Jackson likes what he sees coming out of Chrysler’s pipeline. Judging by his comments after a recent visit to the automaker’s headquarters, Jackson didn’t always feel that way.

The head of the country’s largest cluster of franchise dealerships recently examined many of the new and soon-to-be introduced models coming out of Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep and Ram brands.

“Quality, quality, quality and I think that was the key issue for Chrysler,” Jackson declared in a video posted by the automaker.

The situation prompted Jackson to ask, “I certainly believed in the vision and possibility of new products with the alliance with Fiat. But how do we get from where we were then when Sergio (Marchionne) arrived to the new products?”

To respond, Jackson didn’t mince words.

“Quite frankly the existing product from Chrysler Corp. just wasn’t going to get it done,” he insisted. “When I talk about quality, I’m talking about quality of design, engine, transmission, fit, finish, interiors.

“What I see here is a tremendous investment and commitment — finally — from Chrysler to comprehensive quality,” Jackson declared.

The AutoNation CEO elaborated about why he made such a turnaround about the automaker’s products.

“Originally my confidence was based on my assessment of one man, Sergio Marchionne, a talented remarkable executive who is driven and never failed at anything,” Jackson began. “But he had taken on a monumental task. The question in my mind was would he be able to execute on his ambitions for Chrysler.

“What you see today is a remarkable stride forward in a mere 16 months,” Jackson continued. “No cutting corners. No taking the quick and easy route.”

So did one example typify the OEM’s issues that eventually led to bankruptcy?

“If there’s one product that epitomizes the old Chrysler, it would have been the Sebring,” Jackson noted. “The old Sebring was nothing about cost cutting, and you ended up with something that one the first day it arrived in the marketplace was uncompetitive.

“To see them address all of those issues, ride, engine, handling transmission, design to get back in the game, to give a bridge to totally new projects was absolutely the right decision. That gives me confidence about the future of Chrysler,” he went on to say.

Two vehicles that struck Jackson most on his visit were the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Durango.

Does Jackson think AutoNation dealerships can turn Chrysler’s new lineup regularly?

“We’re going to need some communication to customers by everyone that there’s a new Chrysler Corp. in the game because it’s been some time since we really had some story to tell. Customers have so many choices. They’re not waiting around to find out,” Jackson stated.

“If that’s done and it gets them in our showrooms with these products, we’ll put them in a Chrysler product,” he promised.

For the complete video of Jackson’s comments about Chrysler, visit this website.