Chrysler Group Launches Production of All-New 2007 Dodge Nitro at Toledo North Assembly Plant
16 Août 2006 - 9:30PM
PR Newswire (US)
* Addition of 2007 Dodge Nitro part of major expansion in Chrysler
Group's Toledo Manufacturing capabilities * Flexible manufacturing
allows multiple products to be produced at one plant * $600 million
investment expands plant by 160,000 square feet, adds 150 new
robots * First mid-sized Dodge SUV will ignite segment with
distinctive style AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Aug. 16
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Chrysler Group today officially
launched production of the all-new 2007 Dodge Nitro at its Toledo
North Assembly Plant (TNAP) that has been producing the Jeep(R)
Liberty since 2001. The Dodge Nitro represents Chrysler Group's
expanding Flexible Manufacturing Strategy (FMS) allowing the
Company to bring its new vehicles to market more quickly and the
assembly plants the ability to manufacture multiple products on one
assembly line. The Toledo North Plant was extensively retooled to
manage the complexity of building two different models on one
production line. The Dodge Nitro program investment of $600 million
included multiple plant upgrades, improving quality, productivity
and worker ergonomics. Over 160,000 square feet were added to the
plant floor to enhance body and assembly processes. The retooling
of Toledo North is part of $3.9 billion spent on Toledo
manufacturing capabilities that include an original $1.2 billion to
build Toledo North (opening in 2001) and $2.1 billion for
Chrysler's Toledo Supplier Park, home of the all-new 2007 Jeep
Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited four door. "Toledo traditionally
has been the home of the iconic Jeep Wrangler," said Byron Green,
Vice President - Truck and Activity Vehicle Assembly. "But with two
new, modern plants and four products, Toledo has become an
epicenter of Chrysler Group's manufacturing capabilities. The
innovative manufacturing changes currently taking place in Toledo
have allowed TNAP to manufacture multiple products on one
production line, giving the Company the ability to quickly adapt
vehicle production to meet customer demand." Flexible Manufacturing
Strategy (FMS) Chrysler Group's Flexible Manufacturing Strategy
allows the company to produce a higher quality product, faster, for
lower cost. FMS is also a key enabler in the company's plan to
launch 10 all-new vehicles in 2006, the most in Chrysler Group's
history. In order to balance production with demand, the FMS
approach allows the company to efficiently build lower-volume
vehicles that take advantage of market niche, and to quickly shift
production volumes between different models within a single plant
or among multiple plants. FMS is being implemented product by
product and plant by plant across the Chrysler Group. New
investment is introducing state-of-the-art technology to Chrysler
Group plants enabling the company to produce more than one vehicle
on a production line and conduct rolling launches of new models.
Additionally, Chrysler Group's workforce is becoming more flexible
with the implementation of team concepts and an increased emphasis
on supporting assembly line operators. Robotics At the core of the
new manufacturing process is a body shop comprised of 150 new
robots instead of the vehicle-specific heavy tooling that was
previously used. The door, hood and liftgate assembly system is
new, as are the side aperture assembly systems. Only the robots'
end effectors, or "hands," need to change in order to build the
different models. That tool change is done automatically, within
the time it takes to cycle from one vehicle to the next. TNAP is
flexible enough to vary production mix between two products
anywhere from 0 to 100 percent of each model. A third model can
also be piloted -- or test-built -- at the same time, helping
reduce the time needed to make new-model changeovers. Material Flow
New methods of material flow are being implemented to manage the
complexity of two models being built on one assembly line. An
inbound parts sequencing center is housed in the adjoining Stickney
complex and manages more than 1,800 different parts that are used
in the Dodge Nitro, Jeep Liberty and Toledo Supplier Park's Jeep
Wrangler two-door and Jeep Wrangler Unlimited four-door build
process. In addition to sequencing, this center provides parts
metering, kitting and container management to both Toledo North and
Toledo Supplier Park Assembly Plants. Furthermore, a significant
portion of the TNAP facility will be fork-truck-free as dollies
will provide materials to production areas, improving both employee
safety and productivity measurements. Smart Manufacturing A new
workplace organizational model, coined Smart Manufacturing, is
increasing the flexibility of the TNAP workforce, while fostering
greater creativity and innovation from plant employees. This model
is being implemented throughout the Chrysler Group's Manufacturing
organization. In addition to extensive training, the new workplace
model lets employees design their own work stations. These changes
provide a better work environment for employees and give increased
support to assembly line team members. "TNAP is proud to be the
home of the new Dodge Nitro," said Luis Rivas, Plant Manager -
Toledo North Assembly Plant. "The employees are pleased to be
contributing toward the Company's goal of world-class operational
excellence in 2007." Dodge Nitro Dodge brings its "Grab Life by the
Horns" attitude to the mid-size sport- utility vehicle (SUV)
segment with the introduction of the all-new 2007 Dodge Nitro. The
five-passenger Nitro features bold, aggressive styling with
performance to match. The Dodge Nitro is designed and engineered to
ignite a segment characterized by bland, mild-mannered entries.
This is the first mid- size SUV for the Dodge brand and complements
its lineup of cars, minivans, trucks, commercial vehicles and a
full-size SUV. The Dodge Nitro offers all the mid-size SUV
must-haves: space, functionality and flexibility. Nitro's
fold-flat, first-row passenger seat and second-row seats offer a
variety of loading options. Also new is the LOAD 'N GO(TM) cargo
floor, which slides 18 inches rearward for easy loading and
unloading and holds up to 400 pounds. With optional heated leather
seats, a DVD-based navigation system, cutting-edge entertainment
system options, and a long list of standard safety and security
features, the Dodge Nitro spices up the mid-size SUV recipe. The
2.1 million square-foot Toledo North Assembly Plant occupies 200
acres and has more than 2,700 employees working two shifts, with
the third shift of approximately 750 employees to begin in the
third quarter. Groundbreaking of Toledo North began in fall 1997. A
third DaimlerChrysler plant is located in nearby Perrysburg, Ohio.
The Toledo Machining Plant opened in 1967 and produces steering
columns and torque converters. Commitment to the Community
DaimlerChrysler has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to
invest in existing facilities and provide good-paying jobs in urban
environments. By renovating many of its existing facilities,
DaimlerChrysler was a leading corporate investor in urban America
during the 1990s. This decade, the company is continuing the trend
in cities such as Toledo, St. Louis, Detroit and Warren, Mich. In
total, DaimlerChrysler has a significant impact on Toledo and the
State of Ohio, with 7,941 employees statewide generating $465
million in annual wages and providing more than $26 million in
taxable income to the state. As a good neighbor and good citizen,
Chrysler Group sponsors various community events through its
philanthropic arm, the DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund, including
the Art Tatum Jazz Heritage Festival, Toledo Urban League, City's
Youth Entrepreneur Program, Toledo Opera, the Toledo Museum of Art,
Valentine Theatre and the Diamante Awards. DATASOURCE: Chrysler
Group CONTACT: Michele Tinson, +1-248-512-0366, , or David Elshoff,
+1-248-512-2690, , both of Chrysler Group Web site:
http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com/
http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/
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