DaimlerChrysler Announces $1 Billion Investment in Mexican Operations
08 Mars 2006 - 6:00PM
PR Newswire (US)
* Investment in Toluca Assembly Plant will improve manufacturing
flexibility * New industrial parks will focus on modular assembly
systems * Toluca Assembly Plant celebrates production of 1
millionth Chrysler PT Cruiser TOLUCA, Mexico, March 8
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- DaimlerChrysler announced today a $1
billion investment in its Mexican Manufacturing and Supplier
Operations, to modernize and re-tool the facilities and to create
new industrial parks for suppliers. The investment, the bulk of
which will take place in 2006, includes upgrades to the Toluca
Assembly Plant, the creation of two supplier parks, and additional
operational improvements. The investment will provide the Toluca
facility with the flexibility to manufacture derivative models on
one assembly line. "The decision to invest in Mexico would not have
been possible without the support of the union and the Mexican
government's commitment to the automotive sector," said Chrysler
Group Chief Operating Officer Eric Ridenour. "Our Mexican
Manufacturing Operations have earned this investment by embracing
flexible work force processes." Mexico President Vicente Fox and
Ridenour made the announcement along with plant employees, Mexico
Governor Enrique Pena Nieto; DaimlerChrysler Mexico President and
Managing Director Joe ChamaSrour; DaimlerChrysler Mexico Vice
President of Manufacturing Roberto Gutierrez; and DaimlerChrysler
de Mexico General Union Leader Hugo Diaz Covarrubias. The
improvements at the Toluca Assembly Plant will include an all-new
body shop with state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities. New
robotics will have the capability to make necessary tool changes
automatically within cycle time, thus amplifying the plant's
flexibility. The Toluca Assembly Plant will have the capability to
vary its product mix to better respond to customer demand. The
newly built and jointly funded supplier parks will enhance plant
operations and focus on increasing modular assembly systems. The
supplier parks will provide head liners, cockpits, front-end
modules and front and rear suspensions. The location of the
supplier parks, near the Toluca facility, will provide just-in-time
production for the plant. The ceremony also marked the roll-off of
the 1 millionth Chrysler PT Cruiser which is built at the Toluca
Assembly Plant. The Chrysler PT Cruiser launched in March 2000 and
is available globally in sedan and convertible models. Toluca
builds both models. "The roll-out of the 1 millionth Chrysler PT
Cruiser was achieved through a continuous improvement in
productivity and dedication to quality manufacturing and the fact
that our Toluca plant is now one of the top-ranked Chrysler Group
manufacturing facilities in quality measures," said Gutierrez. "The
bottom line is that consumers are demanding more of our remarkable
products, and our plant employees played a key role in the growth,
flexibility and success of the plant." DATASOURCE: DaimlerChrysler
CONTACT: Curtrise Garner, mobile: +1-248-761-8309, , or Edward
Saenz, mobile: +1-248-760-8267, , both of Chrysler Group Web site:
http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com/
http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/
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