Fenton Chrysler plant finds future in minivans
DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler Group said Sunday that its Fenton, Mo., plant will build the automaker's 2008 line of minivans.
Chrysler made the announcement during the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. DaimlerChrysler's Windsor, Ontario, Assembly Plant will also build the 2008 minivans. The Canadian plant currently manufactures the Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country minivans, along with the Chrysler Pacifica.
The St. Louis South Assembly Plant located in Fenton, employs 3,200 and the company's St. Louis-north assembly plant employs 2,330.
Just prior to Christmas, the Wall Street Journal reported that the Chrysler Group planned to halt production at its plants, including the two in Fenton, Mo., for as many as four weeks over the holiday season to reduce inventory. A one-week holiday shutdown is the norm.
Chrysler announced in December 2005 that it would invest more than $1 billion in its Fenton operations. Five suppliers to the automaker have announced plans to locate here to support Chrysler's expansion.
Equipment, facility and process changes began in 2006 as the plants continue to build Chrysler and Dodge minivans. The investment also is expected to reduce new-model changeover downtime.
Company officials said in a release that the "ability to produce several vehicles under the same roof allows the Chrysler Group to save millions of investment dollars and bring a vehicle to market faster, with even higher quality levels and minimal downtime."
DaimlerChrysler AG (NYSE: DCX), based in Stuttgart, Germany, operates Mercedes Car Group, Chrysler Group, Commercial Vehicles and Financial Services.
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