Patriot production launch pushed back

AP file photo

Jeep Patriot

By Alex Gary
ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR

BELVIDERE — DaimlerChrysler spokeswoman Michelle Tinson confirmed Friday the production launch of the Jeep Patriot has been pushed back.

Company officials originally wanted to begin making retail-ready versions of the Patriot in the third quarter. But software issues at the plant’s fully robotic body shop have caused numerous shutdowns and Tinson said in an e-mail the plan now is to launch the Patriot in the fourth quarter.

DaimlerChrysler pumped $419 million into the plant late last year and early this year to enable it to make multiple models and increase or decrease production of different vehicles without costly shutdowns for retooling.

The Dodge Caliber got off to a strong start with sales hitting 12,422 in May. But production plunged in June and July after the Jeep Compass was worked into the assembly mix, with sales of both models falling to 7,894 in July. In August, production started to move upward, with sales improving to 10,938.