Chrysler Group Launches Production of All-new 2007 Chrysler Sebring Sedan at Sterling Heights Assembly Plant
14 Septembre 2006 - 10:00PM
PR Newswire (US)
* Chrysler's Sebring Sedan part of major expansion in Chrysler
Group's Sterling Heights facility * $500 million investment expands
Chrysler Group's Flexible Manufacturing Strategy allowing multiple
products to be produced at one plant * Chrysler Group's ninth
all-new vehicle this year, will ignite the segment with stunning
design, high levels of safety and reliability, exhilarating
performance and excellent fuel economy AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Sept.
14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Chrysler Group today officially
launched production of the all-new 2007 Chrysler Sebring Sedan at
its Sterling Heights Assembly Plant (SHAP) that formerly produced
the Sebring, Sebring Convertible and Dodge Stratus Sedan. The
Chrysler Sebring Sedan 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
Sterling Heights Assembly Plant was extensively retooled to manage
the complexity of building multiple models on one production line.
The Chrysler Sebring program investment of $500 million included
multiple plant upgrades, improving quality, productivity and worker
ergonomics. SHAP is now able to vary production mix between three
products anywhere from 0 to 100 percent of each model and pilot a
fourth. "Since its rollout in 2000, Chrysler Group's Flexible
Manufacturing Strategy has been the benchmark within our company,"
said Fred Goedtel, Vice President - Small/Premium/Family Vehicle
Assembly. "Sterling Heights Assembly Plant and Sterling Stamping
along with our Belvidere Assembly Plant, are the pioneers of this
strategy ultimately allowing the company to bring the right
products to the market at the right time." $278 million was
invested at Sterling Heights Assembly Plant to overhaul the body
shop and improve the paint shop and assembly areas, including new
tooling and about 620 new welding and material handling robots.
Further, the plant has the capability to build multiple upper
bodies and multiple car platforms, which will allow for the
flexibility to add new models or "cross- load" models from other
plants in order to better meet the dynamics of the market. The
plant has the ability to also produce the Dodge Caliber should
market demand lead to that in the future. These new capabilities
will support the company's pursuit of product leadership by
providing the flexibility to efficiently manage increased
distinction between the Chrysler, Jeep(R) and Dodge brands. Another
$228 million investment improved stamping operations at Sterling
Stamping Plant. Sterling Stamping replaced 50 material handling and
weld robots and introduced new state-of-the-art processes and
capabilities, such as new lean die standards and Common System
Architecture (CSA) lines. New lean die standards will reap a 45
percent cost savings over current standards and processes. The new
CSA lines allow for greater flexibility by allowing more than one
product to be welded and assembled on the same line, while also
reducing waste and improving quality. CSA lines can support the
manufacture of multiple products and one pilot product at the same
time -- a significant improvement from the one line, one product
standards of the past. 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 allowing 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 620 new robots instead of the
vehicle-specific heavy tooling that was previously used, for a
total of 784 robots in the Body Shop. The Trim, Chass and Final
(TFC) areas received a new glass cell, windshield decking, chassis
insertion loop system, the fluid fill equipment and rolls-test
machines. Each of these improved processes have contributed
favorably to the plant's overall productivity and efficiency
efforts. 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. A fourth model can also be piloted -- or test-built --
at the same time, helping reduce the time needed to make new-model
changeovers. Smart Manufacturing A new Workplace Organizational
Model, coined Smart Manufacturing, is increasing the flexibility of
the SHAP workforce, while fostering greater creativity and
innovation from plant employees. This model is being implemented
throughout the Chrysler Group's Manufacturing organization in
conjunction with the UAW. In addition to extensive training, the
new workplace model promotes employee involvement in all facets in
the design and processing of the work stations. These changes
provide a better work environment for employees and give increased
support to assembly line team members while improving the Safety,
Quality, Delivery and Costs performance of our operations. "SHAP is
proud to be the home of the all-new 2007 Chrysler Sebring Sedan,"
said Bob Bowers, Plant Manager - Sterling Heights Assembly Plant,
Chrysler Group. "The United Auto Workers and employees are pleased
to be contributing toward the Company's goal of world-class
operational excellence in 2007 and look forward to attaining a
benchmark level status." Chrysler Sebring Chrysler is creating
inspiration in the common car with the 2007 Chrysler Sebring Sedan.
An all-new mid-size sedan, Chrysler Sebring builds on the winning
formula begun with the award-winning Chrysler 300 in the large car
segment, and more recently, the all-new 2007 Dodge Caliber in the
compact car segment. This formula combines stunning design with
interior craftsmanship, high-levels of safety and reliability,
exhilarating performance and excellent fuel efficiency, all at a
surprisingly affordable price. Sebring also features many
class-leading technologies not available in the mid-size sedan
segment. The 2007 Chrysler Sebring appeals to buyers who appreciate
style, practicality, safety and value. Sebring's elegant and
sophisticated design, packaged with interior craftsmanship,
exciting new technologies and class- leading safety features, meet
the needs of their busy lives. The 2007 Chrysler Sebring will be
available in U.S. dealerships in the fourth quarter of 2006 and in
global volume markets in the first half of 2007. Chrysler Group is
the city of Sterling Heights's second-largest employer and has more
than 4,500 employees working in two plants. The three million
square-foot Sterling Heights Assembly Plant occupies 286 acres. In
total, the Chrysler Group provides $150 million in annual wages and
more than $5 million in taxable income to the state. Sterling
Heights Assembly Plant opened in 1953 as a jet engine factory. The
plant was purchased by Chrysler Group in 1983. SHAP is home to
United Auto Workers Locals 1700, 889 and 412. Sterling Stamping is
2.7 million square feet and employs 2,500. The plant is home to UAW
Locals 1264, 889 and 412. The plant investment is just the latest
in a long, cooperative partnership with the City of Sterling
Heights. Through the DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund, the Company
also has contributed to the sponsorship of the city library's
childhood reading program and established a $50,000 grant for
scholarships to eligible high school graduate residents pursuing
technical training programs. Chrysler Group also is a major sponsor
of the annual Sterlingfest Homecoming celebration. 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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