Chrysler Group’s Brampton Assembly Celebrates Plant Investment and Significant Production Milestone

Chrysler Group officials today announced that the company will invest $1.2 billion (U.S.) in its Brampton (Ont.) Assembly Plant for the next generation of the Chrysler 300 series, Dodge Magnum and Dodge Charger. The Brampton Assembly Plant today also celebrated the one millionth LX rear-wheel drive vehicle platform will roll-off the line with employees and CAW officials.

“Because of Brampton’s ability to meet safety, quality, delivery, cost and morale metrics, we’re pleased to announce that Brampton will be the future home of Chrysler Group’s full-size car platform,” said Frank Ewasyshyn. “We appreciate the support of the CAW and employees in assisting the Company in moving forward with investment decisions.”

The Brampton Assembly Plant will also gain plant product loading volumes, adding production responsibility for all international (BUX) LX-based vehicles in calendar year 2010. The total plant program investment for the additional product is $500 million. The international LX vehicles are currently produced at Magna Steyr’s facility in Graz, Austria. The Magna Steyr facility also produces the Jeep(R) Grand Cherokee, Jeep Commander and Chrysler minivan vehicles for markets outside of North America.

The one millionth LX was an award-winning Chrysler 300, rolling-off the line as part of today’s employee celebration. The Chrysler 300 was launched in January 2004, followed by the Dodge Magnum two months later. The AWD models began production in mid-2004. In April of 2005, the Dodge Charger was added to the Brampton Assembly manufacturing portfolio.

“We are very pleased that our commitment has allowed Brampton Assembly to gain not only an additional product, but also a significant production commitment moving forward,” said Alberto Gonzalez, Plant Manager – Brampton Assembly Plant. “We are also extremely proud to be celebrating the one millionth LX, as this represents the significant market success of this product.”

The Brampton Assembly Plant was built in 1968 and acquired by Chrysler Corporation with the purchase of American Motors Corporation in 1987. The facility produces the Chrysler 300, Dodge Magnum, and Dodge Charger, and will produce the Dodge Challenger on a three-shift operation and employs approximately 4,000 hourly workers.