The initiative, which will be marketed under the tagline that Chrysler's new owners are ushering in a "New Day" for the struggling No. 3 US-based automaker, will be introduced to Chrysler dealers next month, Chrysler executives said at the Detroit car show.

The plan includes intended fixes and upgrades to more than 260 vehicle features, and price changes covering 12 models.

The effort is intended to get consumers to look at some of the last models rolled out under the ownership of German parent Daimler AG and demonstrate how quickly the "new" Chrysler can move to address problems, executives said.

Among the models that will be revamped are the Dodge Caliber, the Jeep Patriot and the Jeep Compass, they said.

Chrysler executives said the rapid move to revamp its existing vehicle lineup underscored the stripped-down management philosophy of Cerberus and a new sense of urgency at the struggling car maker under chief executive Bob Nardelli.

Executives said Mr Nardelli drove Chrysler senior executives through a rapid-fire decision process on the planned upgrades, accomplishing in one meeting what might have taken 10 before.

"We have generally been pretty nimble anyway, but we have taken weeks out of our decision process," Chrysler product development chief Frank Klegon said.

Several Chrysler vehicles have been criticised as having cheap interiors in recent years as the automaker's former parent Daimler pushed to cut costs.

Chrysler also aims to shore up the image of its brands, such as Jeep, after being criticised for expanding into vehicles such as the Compass that detracted from its outdoor and off-road performance image.

Last year, Chrysler announced plans to cut the Dodge Magnum wagon, PT Cruiser convertible, Chrysler Pacifica crossover and the Crossfire sports car.

To free capital for the improvements, Chrysler planned to push more vehicle parts procurement to cheaper markets where it is increasing engineering capacity this year.

Chrysler planned to hire 900 engineers outside the US this year: a 50 per cent increase in Mexico, a 20 per cent increase in India and almost a 30 per cent increase in China.

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