The curtain is rising on a new Chrysler. Just a week after inking a global strategic alliance with Italy's Fiat Group, Chrysler Group LLC has announced it will resume volume production.
Seven of its North American assembly plants will start up again the week of June 29th. As part of a phased production ramp-up, these plants are scheduled to resume production at the end of the month:
Sterling Heights Assembly Plant (Sterling Heights, MI) – Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Avenger
Warren Truck Assembly Plant (Warren, MI) – Dodge Ram and Dodge Dakota
St. Louis North Assembly Plant (Fenton, MO) – Dodge Ram
Toledo Supplier Park (Toledo, OH) – Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
Brampton Assembly Plant (Brampton, Ontario, Canada) – Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger and Challenger
Windsor Assembly Plant (Windsor, ON) – Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan
Toluca Assembly Plant (Toluca, MX) – Dodge Journey and Chrysler PT Cruiser
In addition, Chrysler Group’s Powertrain and Stamping facilities, which supply these plants, will also be operating. And the Conner Avenue Assembly Plant-- which builds the Dodge Viper sports car-- resumed production earlier this week. The OEM noted that all Chrysler Group plants will be closed for a previously announced summer break the weeks of July 13 and 20. Chryler said the re-start of production at other assembly plants will be announced at a later date.
How can anyone not love a company that builds a car like this?
This is certainly a positive development for Chrysler and Detroit in general as well as for North American consumers and business owners aching to hear word that something, anything is getting back to something looking even just a little bit like normal. And, to be sure, it's good news for anyone who hauls auto freight.
So welcome back Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge (especially its truck operation!) and a hearty grazie to Fiat for riding to the rescue.
Now it's up to the new Fiat-Chrysler managment team to make the beleaugured automaker a vigorous and profitable contender in the highy competitive and global marketplace for cars and trucks.
