Chrysler plant begins production on 2007 Aspen

The all-new 2007 Chrysler Aspen started production this week at DaimlerChrysler's Newark Assembly Plant in Newark, Del. Following a $180 million retooling and body-shop renovation, the plant will now produce two models on one assembly line. In addition to the Chrysler Aspen, Newark Assembly Plant builds the Dodge Durango.

"Newark Assembly Plant is joining our growing list of flexible manufacturing plants, and by the end of this year, five of our six U.S. truck and activity vehicle assembly plants will produce more than one model," said Byron Green, vice president - Truck and Activity Vehicle Manufacturing. "With flexible manufacturing, we are better able to meet the demands of Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge customers."

With the launch of the Chrysler Aspen, Newark joins Chrysler Group's growing list of flexible assembly plants. The Chrysler Group's Flexible Manufacturing Strategy (FMS) allows the company to produce a higher quality product, faster, for lower cost. FMS is also a key enabler in the company's plan to launch 10 all-new vehicles in 2006, the most in Chrysler Group's history.

In order to balance production with demand, the FMS approach allows the company to efficiently build lower-volume vehicles that take advantage of market niche, and to quickly shift production volumes to different models within a single plant or between multiple plants. Manufacturing flexibility gives the company the ability to better respond to consumer demand for its growing product portfolio. The plant can vary the production mix between the two vehicles as needed.

FMS is being implemented product by product and plant by plant across the Chrysler Group. New investment is adding state-of-the-art technology into plants allowing the production of more than one vehicle on a production line and rolling launches of new models. Additionally, Chrysler Group's workforce is becoming more flexible with the implementation of the team concept and an increased emphasis on supporting assembly-line operators.

The rolling launch of the all-new 2007 Chrysler Aspen was completed in 24 months. In anticipation of the launch, 2,100 employees were trained to operate new high-tech robotic equipment and perform advanced manufacturing processes, resulting in new methods of error-proofing and a new level of manufacturing efficiency.

The Newark Assembly Plant is also paving the way for a new initiative: Smart manufacturing. Smart manufacturing provides even more empowerment of assembly line workers and fosters creativity on the shop floor. Smart processes include work teams, self-designed workstations, and a framework for flexible job classifications - designed to further improve plant flexibility and efficiency.

Chrysler Group is the city of Newark's largest employer. The company has a significant impact on the Newark community with more than 2,100 employees throughout Delaware who generate approximately $136 million in annual wages and provide more than $6.8 million in taxable income to the state. The 3.4 million square foot Newark Assembly Plant is home to United Auto Workers Locals 1183 and 1212.