Chrysler announced late last week that it will be keeping a third shift at its Windsor, Ontario minivan plant. The plant – which builds the Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Grand Caravan and Volkswagen Routan – was previously scheduled to go from three to two shifts in the coming weeks.
Chrysler decided to retain the third shift at the Windsor plant after sales of the three minivans saw a recent market uptick. Sales are expecting to increase through the second half of the year as the North American sales rebound from near-record lows.
The decision to keep the third shift will save about 1,200 jobs in the Windsor area, according to the Canadian Auto Workers. That’s good news for the citizens of Windsor as the area has been one of the hardest hit by the economic downturn, with unemployment rates hovering around 14 percent.
“It’s great news for 1,200 CAW Local 444 members out at the Chrysler plant and obviously the spinoff jobs that come with it,” CAW President Ken Lewenza told Reuters.
“Obviously, it’s a strong message from Chrysler that they plan to maintain their market share lead in the minivan segment.”
The Windsor plant employs about 4,450 hourly workers in total.
07/13, 10:14 AM
posted by:
ihustle
The Minivan is dead. But apparently so is Chryslers brand.
07/13, 10:29 AM
posted by:
chryslercurse
stong message that they are going to build to many, and not sell,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
07/13, 12:03 PM
posted by:
moparsalesman1
the minivan is not dead actually. for people with more than one child they are ideal. Not just chrysler vans buy vans in general. they serve a purpose and as long as people keep pushing out kids people will also keep buying vans. we have some of the coolest vans out there. sirius backseat tv dual screens hook up to two seperate video game systems and control from the head unit who watches what while the other play video games. each screen is independant and the system is very easy to use. its a great product.
07/13, 12:16 PM
posted by:
ihustle
Mini vans are becoming CUV’s slowly but surely. People do not like the soccer mom persona that goes along with the DATED minivan. I mean hell they’ve had the same look for the past 20 years.Some CUV’s give a sleak look, same space, and the same options your stating. Chrysler is one of the only brands left still developing and last i checked they cant give them away.
07/13, 12:26 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
moparsalesman, that’s all well and fine but if the example I have as a company vehicle is any indication they have to do something to improve the drivability and the quality. It’s an ‘08 with less than 20,000 kms and heres the list: a persistant squeek coming from somewhere on the left side when you go over even minor bumps, the change oil warning light comes on every time you start it even though the oil is fine, the digital clock is about a minute fast every day, the suspension has very little damping and everything seems transmitted into the cabin, on wet roads when you’re turning right from a standstill the right front wheel wants to start spinning with even the most gentle throttle application and… did I mention it generally handles like a dump truck?
And what the hell is the point of having a manual shift feature on that floppy dash mounted shifter? I would gladly give that up for a decent pair of shocks.
You know I like Chrysler and I defend them often. My ‘06 Sebring Touring drives beautifully after 3 years and is still as tight as the day we bought it and I have never taken it to the dealer. The Minivan is their bread and butter so what gives?
07/13, 3:55 PM
posted by:
moparsalesman1
Sounds like you have a crappy service dept. Now i am not saying that are vehicles are without problems. No manufacturer is without problems. VW in 07 led the industry with the most recalls and Toyota had three models removed in 07 from the consumer guide reccomended list because of mounting problems. Honda has trans problems. Sounds like the electrical problems you have are being diagnosed by your local service dept. The ride I have had people say similar I have had people say they love it. My boss just took his family on a 500 mile trip to outer banks and was quite pleased with the town and country. He did say the seats were softer in the old body style town and country than in the new one. however with all the vans i have sold since the 08 models came out in 07 the majority like the van.
07/13, 10:28 PM
posted by:
Yomama Sophat
@ihustle:
Please tell me which CUV has the same space and all-around convenience as a minivan. CUV’s may look more SLEEK, but they are still a compromise.