Most buyers have largely abandoned rough and rugged SUVs for more car-like crossovers, but the Jeep Wrangler continues to see strong sales. As a result of that climbing demand, Chrysler says it will be boosting production of the popular off-roader.
Chrysler has come to terms with the UAW on a new plan that will see Wrangler production upped by 90 units per day by June at the company’s Toledo Supplier Park plant. The plan will require 25 more line workers for each of the plant’s 10-hour shifts.
“I’m always worried about having enough Wrangler production,” said Mike Manley, head of the Jeep brand for Chrysler Group and the automaker’s head of international sales. “The orders are still coming in very, very strong on Wrangler, not just here in the United States, but worldwide. We’re working very, very closely with the plant to try and get all the orders fulfilled.â€
U.S. sales of the Wrangler jumped 30 percent in 2011 to 122,460, with inventories still running tight. The Toledo plant produced a total of 165,166 Wranglers last year, marking the plant’s highest-ever single year output. Thanks to an all-new drivetrain, those figures could even be higher in 2012.
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