Chrysler has announced that it will eliminate 1,096 jobs at its Belvidere, Illinois assembly plant. The cuts come as no real surprise as Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli announced in November that the automaker would be eliminating about 10,000 jobs, along with four vehicle models.
According to Automotive News, the layoffs will begin in February. The job cuts will eliminate one shift at the plant, leaving two. No word on how the cuts will affect vehicle production.
The Belvidere plant produces the Dodge Caliber and Jeep Compass and Patriot. While Caliber sales were actually up in 2007 — by about 11.4% — the Compass and Patriot were the Jeep brand’s two worst sellers.
The same plant was idled for two weeks back in October to prevent excess inventory.
