Chrysler Group Launches European Production of Chrysler 300C at Magna Steyr in Austria
15 Juin 2005 - 4:00PM
PR Newswire (US)
Chrysler Group Launches European Production of Chrysler 300C at
Magna Steyr in Austria - Chrysler 300C Sedan and Touring models
will be produced for Europe and other world markets - Manufacturing
flexibility allows for five-plus models on production line - Third
shift added and 600 new employees hired to build 300C family -
Added investment and well-trained workforce maintain high quality
standards AUBURN HILLS, Mich., June 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
The first European- built Chrysler 300C rolled off the assembly
line today as production officially began at Magna Steyr's
manufacturing facility in Graz, Austria. The 300C Sedan and Touring
models are now assembled on the same Chrysler Group production line
that currently builds the Jeep(R) Grand Cherokee, the Chrysler
Voyager and the Chrysler Grand Voyager with the exclusive Stow 'n
Go(TM) seating and storage system. DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler
Group and Magna Steyr invested euro 30.7 million ($37.2 million) to
add the necessary tooling and body shop stations required to bring
the Chrysler 300C models on board. This is in addition to recent
enhancements to the plant's body and paint shops, plus significant
production line flexibility improvements that were made with the
inclusion of the new vehicles in mind. Incorporating a third shift,
the Chrysler 300C Sedan and Touring will be built in the same body
shop as the Jeep Grand Cherokee. All Chrysler Group vehicles at the
plant will share the same trim, chassis and final lines. About
2,000 employees will work on production of Chrysler and Jeep
vehicles, 600 of whom were hired additionally for the 300C
vehicles. All of the plant's employees have been carefully trained
to work with the new 300C-related equipment and processes, ensuring
a smooth transition and consistent production quality from the
start. "The introduction of the Chrysler 300C Sedan and Touring in
markets outside of North America has been met with strong, positive
customer response," said Dieter Zetsche, Chrysler Group President
and Chief Executive Officer. "The production launch at Magna Steyr
will allow us to have 300C vehicles on the ground quickly to meet
growing international demand for one of our most award-winning
vehicles." Flexible Production Allows for Multiple Models
DaimlerChrysler Management Austria (DCMA) worked closely with Magna
Steyr in the preparation of their facility for the Chrysler 300C
family. Most notably, the addition of the 300C range was already
planned for when the plant went through an eight-week tooling,
equipment and manufacturing process changeover at the end of 2004
and into 2005. The body shop was completely rebuilt, and 75 percent
of the conveyor line and marriage system was replaced. As a result,
the flexible production line is now equipped to build multiple
Chrysler Group models, while simultaneously piloting an additional
model. This exemplifies Chrysler Group's lean, flexible
manufacturing principles being implemented across its production
facilities. "By adding manufacturing flexibility, we are now better
equipped to react to the changing landscape of customers' vehicle
needs. Even with five Chrysler Group models in concurrent
production, our employees continue to build in consistent quality
with each vehicle that rolls off the line," said Manfred Remmel,
President and CEO of Magna Steyr. Magna Steyr will assemble the
various offerings of the Chrysler 300C Sedan and Touring,
including: left- and right-hand drive versions; rear-wheel and, for
the Touring, all-wheel drive versions; a high-performance version
-- the SRT8; and a diesel-powered model that will launch in late
2005. The Chrysler 300C family solidifies the brand's presence in
over one hundred markets worldwide. It offers customers expressive
Chrysler design and personality, an all-new platform with
world-class, rear-wheel and all-wheel drive technology, and
exceptional interior driver and passenger space. In Europe and
other markets outside of North America, the Chrysler 300C currently
offers a range of three petrol engines. The 2.7-liter V-6 petrol
engine provides an outstanding combination of performance, fuel
economy, quietness and durability. The 3.5-liter V-6 unit delivers
higher output, still with a perfect blend of performance and
economy. For the ultimate in performance, customers can choose the
5.7-liter HEMI(R) V-8 engine with Multi- Displacement System (MDS)
for improved fuel economy. Magna Steyr is the exclusive production
site for Chrysler 300C right-hand drive models and will be for
diesel-engine models. Chrysler Group vehicles have been built in
Graz for the past 15 years, with Chrysler Voyager since 1992 and
Jeep Grand Cherokee since 1994. Throughout the years of
cooperation, some 850,000 Chrysler and Jeep vehicles have been
assembled in Graz. The Chrysler 300/300C is also produced at the
Brampton Assembly Plant in Ontario, Canada. About DaimlerChrysler
Management Austria DCMA is a 100-percent DaimlerChrysler subsidiary
in Graz, Austria, that contracts with Magna Steyr for their
assembly services. DCMA procures all parts for the vehicles and
consigns them to Magna Steyr for vehicle production. DCMA also
provides engineering and manufacturing support services. Completed
vehicles are then sold by DCMA to Chrysler International
Corporation (Chrysler Group) for market distribution. About Magna
Steyr Magna Steyr is a wholly owned group of the Canada-based Magna
International Inc., which ranks among the world's largest suppliers
to the automotive industry. Magna International employs over 81,000
people at 223 manufacturing divisions and 56 engineering centers in
22 countries. Magna Steyr is the premier global supplier of
complete vehicle engineering and assembly for original equipment
manufacturer (OEM) customers. At the Magna Steyr plant in Graz,
around 9,000 employees built over 227,000 vehicles in 2004.
DATASOURCE: Chrysler Group CONTACT: Emily Everson of Chrysler
Group, +1-248-512-3795, ; or Herfried Teschl of Magna Steyr,
43-316-404-2911, Web site: http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com/
http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/
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