The Pacifica Advanced Product Design Center in Carlsbad, CA will close, Chrysler announced on Friday. This move is expected to affect 20 employees at the maker’s California studio, and the automaker cites money savings as the reasons behind its decision. All design work will now be carried out at Chrysler’s Auburn Hills, MI, corporate headquarters.
Employees at the studio penned Chrysler ’s 300 sedan, the recently-launched Dodge Challenger , as well as the namesake Pacifica crossover. The studio has been in operation since the late ’80s.
“These changes set the stage for Chrysler’s future global growth efforts, which also include our intent to establish global expertise in design, engineering and sourcing through centers of excellence. These actions will help the Company meet its long-term globalization goals,†read the press release.
