Get Ready For More Chrysler and Dodge Minivans

The Chrysler Group has recently announced that the all-new 2008 Chrysler Town & Country as well as the Dodge Grand Caravan minivans both introduced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit are going to be produced at the DaimlerChrysler’s Windsor Ontario Assembly Plant and St. Louis South Assembly Plant in Fenton, Mo.

The main objective of the Chrysler Group is to produce several vehicles under same roof and in the process save millions of investment dollars while hastening the availability of the vehicles to the market equipped with the same high quality Chrysler parts that meets the quality levels set by the automaker.

According to Frank Ewasyshyn, Executive Vice President, Manufacturing, Chrysler Group, "These are very important products for the Chrysler Group as we remain committed to the minivan market and maintain our leadership position. Our focus on flexible manufacturing and new investments, adding state-of-the art technology to plant operations, will help us ensure we can meet those demands and build almost anything, anywhere, with improving speed and quality."

Visiting DaimlerChrysler’s Windsor and St. Louis Assembly Plants

The Windsor Assembly plant is presently housing the production for Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country minivans with the Stow ‘n Go® seating and storage system, together with the Chrysler Pacifica, has enough resources to accommodate the production of two different vehicle platforms. The Chrysler Group has invested $508 million to its Windsor Assembly to provide it with a state-of-the art paint facility which is capable of accommodating the dimensions of at least eleven different body styles. The Windsor Assembly plant is scheduled to operate on the first quarter of 2007. This plant was built in 1928 and at present considered to be one of Chrysler’s largest assembly plants with 4.01 million square feet. The plant is currently employing 4800 people.

The St. Louis South Assembly Plant is another big plant of Chrysler. The automaker invested $1 billion for this plant. Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Grand Caravan minivans (south), and Dodge Ram (1500 and 2500) Standard and Quad Cab Pickup (North) are the vehicles produced in this plant. The St. Louis Plant was constructed in 1959 and has a total area of 2.64 million square feet and the third assembly plant of Chrysler that implements a fully robotic body shop. This gives the St Louis plant the capability of manufacturing multiple types of vehicles on one line. Chrysler’s St. Louis Assembly plant has 3,200 employees presently.

Chrysler Group is expecting to make the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country available to US market in the fall of 2007.

By Correy Putton.

All-New 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan, Chrysler Town & Country Minivans Debut at the 2007 Detroit Show

The all-new 2008 Dodge and Chrysler minivans have once again proven that they have what it takes to be the best vehicles to move people and cargo. The thirty-five new and improved features make the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country not only practical but have all the right ingredients that would ensure 100% driving and riding satisfaction.

According to George Murphy, Senior Vice President - Marketing, Chrysler Group, "The all-new 2008 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan spice up the minivan recipe by offering an all-new contemporary appearance, five different models, three distinct seating and storage systems, unmatched entertainment systems and the safety you expect and deserve. Add in three powertrain options, clever interior features and industry-leading functionality and you have a recipe that will be a favorite with any family."

The 2008 Dodge and Chrysler Minivans have so much to offer. Aside from the high quality Dodge parts that they are equipped with, they also have the all-new Swivel ‘n Go™ seating system that allows a 180 degrees swiveling of seats—perfect for passengers seated at the back particularly the second row that may want to face third row.

The all-new Swivel n’ Go includes a removable table, covered storage bins in the floor of the second row, uncover storage for the third row and a fold-in-the-floor third row extra seat. It also provides an industry-first integrated child booster seat in the second row and a minivan exclusive one-touch power folding third row 60/40 bench seat.

Safety is an integral part of the 2008 Dodge and Chrysler minivans. They are equipped with all-row supplemental side-curtain air bags, Electronics Stability Program (ESP) complete with traction control and brake assist, LATCH child seat anchor system and a patented, energy-absorbing steering column are among the standard safety features. And that’s not all! The 2008 Dodge and Chrysler minivans also include Innovations like an industry-first integrated child booster seat, ParkView(TM) rear back-up camera, a rearview interior conversation mirror, integrated child safety seat and ParkSense(R) rear back-up system also ensure peace of mind while traveling.

The 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country minivans are to be manufactured at two of DaimlerChrysler big plants: the Windsor Assembly Plant in Windsor, Ontario Canada and the St. Louis South Assembly Plant in Fenton, Missouri. The 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country minivans are expected in US dealerships by fall of 2007.

By Correy Putton.