Chrysler Group LLC is strengthening its ties with the city of Detroit by adding a third crew and 1,100 new jobs at its Jefferson North Assembly Plant (JNAP), expanding the Jeep Grand Cherokee lineup to include a diesel version for North America in the city and reaffirming plans to add 150 jobs by reopening its Conner Avenue Assembly Plant for production of the SRT Viper.
Through its new commitments in the Motor City, Chrysler Group is embracing its Detroit heritage and weaving it into its future plans, which include producing fuel-efficient, environmentally clean vehicles. By adding 1,250 jobs at its two downtown Detroit manufacturing plants, Chrysler Group is demonstrating its belief in the passion, skill and dedication of the Motor City to build luxurious, high-quality, state-of-the art vehicles.
"We are pleased to have Chrysler Group acknowledge the contributions of the UAW here in the Motor City by relying on our workforce to produce two of its most acclaimed vehicles," said General Holiefield, UAW Vice President-Chrysler Department. "Our workers nationwide have had a rough couple of years along with the American auto industry, and we are proud to be partners in building a future of success starting right here in Detroit."
The new third crew of approximately 1,100 jobs that Chrysler Group is adding at JNAP will be part of an operating pattern called the 3-2-120 schedule that allows each employee an additional 49 days off per year while enabling the plant an additional 49 days of annual production. JNAP was the first Chrysler Group plant in Michigan to add a second crew of production, or about 1,100 jobs, in July 2010. Current employment at the plant is approximately 2,890.
The new jobs and product announcements build upon Chrysler Group's existing commitment to reopen the Conner Avenue Assembly Plant to produce the next generation SRT Viper. With Conner's reopening, nearly 150 hourly and salaried jobs will return to the city of Detroit. The next generation Viper will make its return to the product lineup late this year as a 2013 model. For more information, visit www.chryslergroupllc.com.