JBGray, I start with you bottom post. VW has had more quality problems with the cars assembled in Mexico than the ones assembled in Germany. So it would stand to reason, that the Fords built in Mexico, possibly will have more flaws than the ones made in the US, and the ones made in the US have more flaws than the ones made in Europe. Euro Fords have higher standards, as the Euro customers and have higher standards for cars. As do the regulators. That's why the Ford Mondeo and Focus (RS and ST) versions are wanted over here. The Japanese cars made here, as well as the German ones, the respective companies tend to have higher standards, and the parts made in Germany or Japan. Allegedly the issues with the Am made gas pedal is to blame for "some" of the sticky pedal issues in Toyotas, not the Japanese versions of the pedal. How true that is, I don't know. But, BMW M and Mercedes M and Audi S and RS cars are assembled in Germany. Shows you just how much they trust American workmanship on the assembly line.
I agree with the engine issue.
Now, the Dodge issues, this current gen of Challenger, Charger cars are built off the old E class chassis from the late 90s, to roughly 2004. No, Fiat chassis at all. But, Fiat might have them build cars off a Lancia chassis, who knows. But, the new Grand Cherokee is getting rave reviews, because it was being worked on in conjunction with the new Mercedes ML, meaning it has a better interior and the first Jeep with independent rear suspension (why didn't I write IRS?)
as far as not driving a car owned by Fiat, you'd drive a Ferrari, Alfa 8C, or a Maserati, correct? All three companies fall under Fiat....
