Chrysler extends plant shutdowns to prepare for new models

Chrysler extends plant shutdowns to prepare for new models
By Drew Johnson - Posted December 29th 2009

Chrysler has announced an extended holiday shut down at some North American factories as it retools for new vehicles to be produced in 2010. Although the shutdown will reduce overall supply, Chrysler is in desperate need of a lineup refresh.
Chrysler’s Belvidere, Illinois plant will extend its holiday shutdown through the week of January 4th. The Belvidere plant produces the Dodge Caliber and Jeep Compass and Patriot, all of which are due for a refresh.

Three other U.S. plants will remain closed through the week of January 4th, including Chrysler’s Warren Truck plant – which produces the Dodge Ram and Dakota. The Toledo North Jeep Liberty and Dodge Nitro plant and Jeep Wrangler’s Toledo plant will also be idled.
In Ontario, Canada, Chrysler will close its Brampton and Windsor plants through the week of January 11th. The Brampton plant is ramping up to produce new versions of the Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 while the Windsor plant is preparing for heavy updates to Chrysler’s minivans.
Chrysler will also add a week shutdown at its Toluca, Mexico plant during 2010 so that plan can prepare for production of the Fiat 500.
22 COMMENTS
1. 85ZingoGTR212 days ago
  0 0
  
  Retooling for FIAT, Lancia and Alfa Romeo models?
  
  Reply
2. avenger212 days ago
  0 0
  
  Retooling for Fiat 500, new Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Durango, Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger.
  
  Reply
3. F50212 days ago
  0 0
  
  Doesn’t re-tooling take much more than a week? I can understand the refresh’s and new LX’s as they aren’t really far off the current ones.(DIfferent tuning and possibly parts(The Benz parts used in the LX)
  
  I am very anticipated to see their new lineup, particularly what can they do in the refreshed Sebring, LX Cars, Neon replacement, and pretty much everything else.
  
  Reply
4. MoDo212 days ago
  0 0
  
  Re-tooling for the 2011 Charger in Brampton only. The 300 was delayed because of styling adjustments made by new management. It will lag the Charger by a few months apparently.
  
  Reply
5. worst 3212 days ago
  0 0
  
  what are they doing to the dodge ram I have not read any thing that is going to be changed on the ram? Unless may be the new 6.4L hemi?!?! Also I have not heard of any thing for the Nitro or the Liberty so I wonder what will be happening to them.
  
  F50 I thought re-tooling took longer too but i don’t know when they started could have been doing so since early December. I think there are a lot new little parts changes in the new LX cars including new engines that are significant to it’s production. I thought I read some where there changing a lot of the Benz parts though i don’t know where or if it will be ture.
  
  Reply
6. avenger212 days ago
  0 0
  
  I think they revised the 300 so they can more easily market it as the Lancia badged flagship sedan in italy.
  
  Reply
7. MoDo212 days ago
  0 0
  
  @Avenger
  
  Fiat didnt think the 2011 300 was stylish enough so they enlisted front and rear fascia & light changes. You are right about the Lancia part but I would think that would take place later on or in Italy itself, if they even decide to sell it as a Lancia over there.
  
  @Worst 3 The Ram is brand new so the 6.4L is probably it.
  
  Reply
8. F50212 days ago
  0 0
  
  I hope the 6.4L produces 525-540HP like its rumored to be, the 6.1 produces about 80HP more than the 5.7(Before getting revised) so if the 6.4L makes only 50HP over the 6.1(475HP) would be kind of a disappointment.
  
  And couldn’t they just build a different looking Lancia off the LX like how Alfa Romeo is making its 169? If they plan on merging Lancia/Chrysler similar to Opel/Buick it will be great cause 300C Exterior, Powertrain, Chassis + Lancia Thesis Interior quality = Win
  
  Reply
9. worst 3212 days ago
  0 0
  
  F50 I don’t think the 6.4L (in the dodge ram) will make 475hp, I think it more going to be for more built for higher low end torque with only a bit over 450 for trucks from what i have read on different websites, also impotent was for it to be fuel efficient then the out going 6.1 close the the 5.7.
  
  The Car version of the 6.4 I cant relay tell form what I have read but I hope it is modified heavily for high hp lower torque (6.4L still going to be good torque for a car) hope to see around 485+ but who knows could be the same as the trucks
  
  hope i’m wrong about the truck version though, could also be a new v6 for ram
  
  Reply
10. MoDo212 days ago
  0 0
  
  The new Pentastar V6′s are coming and so is a NORTH AMERICAN BOUND DIESEL Jeep Wrangler with 340 ft-lbs of torque.
  
  Reply
11. TOZO212 days ago
  0 0
  
  The retooled, refreshed models always looks just about the same as the earlier model. It is nearly pointless. I expect no Italianization. Consumers don’t care either according to that survey a few years ago about automobile facelifts not affecting consumers’ reasons to purchase autos at all.
  
  Reply
12. teahead212 days ago
  0 0
  
  THis is all good news!
  
  Full speed ahead for the 2011 models! Thank goodness for the Obama task force and Fiat for keeping Ma Mopar alive and producing kick arse LX, RWD V8 cars and trucks!
  
  You haters can go lick on your Euro/Jap exhaust pipes…more choice is GOOD for the customer!
  
  Reply
13. Blakkarr212 days ago
  0 0
  
  Short supply is a complaint? Call it, clearing out the junk. I just wish CHRYSLER and FIAT were more open about what they were doing. Then again maybe they were planning to clear out the junk as much as possible and so did not tell about any new and/or better cars coming to prevent slowing already almost stalled sales.
  
  Of course, if the turnaround is as far reaching and effective as they hope, then CHRYSLER could be in for a heck of a turn around.
  
  If I could have CHRYSLER build one machine, I would want an all-new proper JEEP XJ successor. Not that Liberty thing. That was really to only SUV I would honestly buy.
  
  Reply
14. chevymanc6212 days ago
  0 0
  
  Those new models will seal Chrysler’s fate on whether or not they will survive. Good luck Chrysler, you’ll need it. I’m curious to see what they will come out with.
  
  Reply
15. johnnycanuck212 days ago
  0 0
  
  Rome wasn’t built in a day kids, but at least the guy in charge knows something about that part of the world. Go Sergio.
  
  Reply
16. BuyUSA212 days ago
  0 0
  
  Sergio already said they are not going to reveal the new models until they are close to production. It seems like they are working at a fevered pace right now and I wouldn’t be surprised if some of these new models start hitting the streets in Spring 2010.
  
  @Worst 3
  6.4 Hemi and Pentastar V-6 too. I doubt they are doing anything with the Liberty but I would bet the Nitro is getting the axe.
  
  Reply
17. uparms212 days ago
  0 0
  
  I got a Google alert this week that said the 2011 Wrangler will be build on the Panda ( fiat??) platform. Said if you want a real Wrangler, 2010 would be your last chance. I think 2006 was the real last chance.
  
  I would/will be nice o see the Pentastar engine hit the Wrangler in 2011.
  
  i will stick wit my 2005 Unlimted with the 4.0 unless they come out with a 2 door/Truck combined Unlimited ( J8) in 2011-12. No need to rush when it comes to Wranglers and I would not touch that 4 door thing.
  
  Reply
18. F50211 days ago
  0 0
  
  The Wrangler isn’t going on a Panda platform, Thats a different model that will replace the Compass. Two more models based on the C-Evo/D-Evo will replace the Patriot and Liberty. I just wish that the next Liberty will stay as an SUV…. 3 Crossovers(4 if you count the GC as one now) is too much for Jeep.
  
  Reply
19. uparms211 days ago
  0 0
  
  F50, thanks for the clarification and a bit of relief. Hope to see something new in the Wrangler department soon, 4 doors does not make a Jeep (or a sports car, IMO).
  
  Reply
20. ACRcpe45211 days ago
  0 0
  
  Who said the 6.4 was going in the Ram.
  
  Nobody has
  
  Reply
21. ACRcpe45211 days ago
  0 0
  
  F50, The GC has been a unibody for a long time… that doesn’t mean it is a “crossover”. Nothing has changed and It will wear it’s Jeep badge proudly.
  
  Reply
22. ACRcpe45211 days ago
  0 0
  
  The Wrangler gets the revised 50 state legal VM Motori 2.8 Diesel for 2011 MY and then the new 3.6 Pentastar for 2012 MY. Expect MultiAir on that Pentastar.
  
  The Wrangler will never be on the Panda platform. As for the J8, don’t hold your breath. By a knockdown kit.
  
  Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.