February 12, 2004

Production of 2005 Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum begins in Brampton, Ontario

Toronto, Ontario - On Wednesday, the Chrysler Group launched production of the all-new 2005 Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum, the company's family of rear-wheel drive sedans. Brampton Assembly employees celebrated the production kickoff with a live broadcast from the plant to an audience of journalists at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto, Canada.

"Our manufacturing operations in Canada are a significant part of our product offensive this year," said Wolfgang Bernhard, Chrysler Group Chief Operating Officer. "Three of the nine products being launched are made in Canada, accounting for almost two-thirds of the total expected volume for those products."

Brampton's shift from front-wheel drive to rear-wheel drive vehicle production required a major transformation at the facility. Various initiatives were implemented to enhance production quality, increase manufacturing flexibility and improve productivity at the plant.

"As the Brampton Assembly Plant begins a new chapter in its production life, it takes on flexible characteristics generally seen in newer automotive operations," said Tom LaSorda, Chrysler Group Executive Vice President of Manufacturing. "The flexibility of the revamped plant provides the capability needed to build and pilot multiple products simultaneously."

The Chrysler Group invested $1.4 billion (Cdn) in Canadian operations to prepare for production of the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum. According to Tom LaSorda, Chrysler Group Executive Vice President of Manufacturing, approximately 80 percent of the Brampton facility was overhauled, "We viewed this project as a complete makeover - building a new plant environment within existing walls - rather than a facelift or typical model changeover."

More news from the 2004 Toronto auto show...
Main news page....