With the production of both Chrysler Pacifica and Dodge and Chryslerminivans, the Windsor Assembly Plant will employ approximately 5,900employees, and will maintain a line-speed of 1,325 units per day, or more than330,000 combined units annually on a three-shift operation. Chrysler Groupinvested more than $300 million (U.S.) into its Windsor Assembly Plant toaccommodate the Pacifica production.
Pilot Vehicles
The ability to build multiple products on the same line enables thecompany to effectively build pilot vehicles, or test prototypes, in theassembly plant much earlier in the launch phase. Building pilot vehicles onthe same line as production vehicles allows the company to train employees aswell as detect and address any remaining issues to meet stringent qualitylevels.
The Windsor Assembly Plant will build 140 Chrysler Pacifica pilots on thesame assembly line as the minivan before the start of customer vehicleproduction scheduled for late January 2003. This uninterrupted and continuousapproach to production will allow Pacifica production to be increased as themarket dictates.
"We are working towards creating a footprint for a flexible manufacturingprocess that the entire corporation will benefit from," said Mike Tonietto,Plant Manager, Windsor Assembly Plant and Pillette Truck Assembly Plant. "Ouremployees and the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) are proud that the WindsorAssembly Plant has been given the opportunity to produce the latest segment-buster from the Chrysler Group. Together we will succeed."