DMAG
04-11-2006, 07:38 AM
Chrysler Group to Build All-new 2007 Jeep® Patriot at Belvidere (Ill.) Assembly Plant
Source: media.daimlerchrysler.com
* Jeep® Patriot joins Jeep Compass and Dodge Caliber
* Third vehicle demonstrates the plant's innovative flexibility and "Smart manufacturing"
* Jeep Patriot offers appealing value
Auburn Hills, Mich., Apr 10, 2006 -
Chrysler Group confirmed today that the all-new 2007 Jeep® Patriot, which is being unveiled this week at the 2006 New York Auto Show, will be produced at its Belvidere (Ill.) Assembly Plant.
The Jeep Patriot will be built on the same production line as the all-new 2007 Jeep Compass and the 2007 Dodge Caliber. All three models will be built using Chrysler Group's innovative flexible manufacturing process which can build three to four different vehicles and test-build another model all on the same production line. The Belvidere facility is the first plant to manufacture three new models under the Company's new flexible manufacturing processes.
"When the new Jeep Patriot rolls off the assembly line later this year, the Belvidere Assembly Plant will be the manufacturing home of three brand-new Chrysler Group vehicles," said Frank Ewasyshyn, Executive Vice President – Manufacturing, Chrysler Group. "The addition of the Jeep Patriot clearly demonstrates that we have the ability to offer a greater selection of vehicles to our Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge customers in a more cost-efficient way."
"With the recent launch of the Dodge Caliber and Jeep Compass and the addition of a second shift, a bright future stands before our employees and the surrounding community," said Kurt Kavajecz, Plant Manager – Belvidere Assembly Plant. "The flexibility of the Belvidere facility will allow us to adjust volume between models and better meet the needs of our Jeep and Dodge customers."
The strong and capable Jeep Patriot is designed to appeal to compact SUV buyers who want traditional Jeep styling combined with best-in-class off-road capability. Jeep Patriot will offer freedom and adventure along with exceptional fuel economy, interior flexibility and utility at a great value.
The flexible manufacturing process consists of a new type of body shop that is wholly made up of robotics instead of hardware dedicated to a particular model. The robots, which automatically can change their own tooling within a 42 second cycle time to accommodate two models, also can accommodate a third model (as demonstrated at Belvidere) and pilot a fourth.
The Belvidere facility will continue to implement "Smart manufacturing" processes, which foster greater creativity and innovation on the plant floor. Smart processes include work teams, self-designed workstations, a framework for flexible job classifications and extensive employee training. All these factors work cohesively to create a better work environment and give increased support to assembly line operators, intended to further improve plant flexibility and efficiency.
With the new flexible manufacturing and Smart manufacturing processes, the production gains are significant: Lower costs for next generation product changeovers; reduced capital investment for re-tooling; and reduced turnover time for new products with less investment and work required to prepare for a new product. The processes also are being implemented at Chrysler Group's Sterling Heights (Mich.) Assembly Plant and St. Louis South (Fenton, Mo.) Assembly Plant.
Earlier this year, the Belvidere facility added a second shift to meet customer demand for the Dodge Caliber and Jeep Compass. The 3.6 million square foot Belvidere Assembly Plant has 2,000 employees and is home to United Auto Workers Locals 1268 and 1761.
Source: media.daimlerchrysler.com
* Jeep® Patriot joins Jeep Compass and Dodge Caliber
* Third vehicle demonstrates the plant's innovative flexibility and "Smart manufacturing"
* Jeep Patriot offers appealing value
Auburn Hills, Mich., Apr 10, 2006 -
Chrysler Group confirmed today that the all-new 2007 Jeep® Patriot, which is being unveiled this week at the 2006 New York Auto Show, will be produced at its Belvidere (Ill.) Assembly Plant.
The Jeep Patriot will be built on the same production line as the all-new 2007 Jeep Compass and the 2007 Dodge Caliber. All three models will be built using Chrysler Group's innovative flexible manufacturing process which can build three to four different vehicles and test-build another model all on the same production line. The Belvidere facility is the first plant to manufacture three new models under the Company's new flexible manufacturing processes.
"When the new Jeep Patriot rolls off the assembly line later this year, the Belvidere Assembly Plant will be the manufacturing home of three brand-new Chrysler Group vehicles," said Frank Ewasyshyn, Executive Vice President – Manufacturing, Chrysler Group. "The addition of the Jeep Patriot clearly demonstrates that we have the ability to offer a greater selection of vehicles to our Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge customers in a more cost-efficient way."
"With the recent launch of the Dodge Caliber and Jeep Compass and the addition of a second shift, a bright future stands before our employees and the surrounding community," said Kurt Kavajecz, Plant Manager – Belvidere Assembly Plant. "The flexibility of the Belvidere facility will allow us to adjust volume between models and better meet the needs of our Jeep and Dodge customers."
The strong and capable Jeep Patriot is designed to appeal to compact SUV buyers who want traditional Jeep styling combined with best-in-class off-road capability. Jeep Patriot will offer freedom and adventure along with exceptional fuel economy, interior flexibility and utility at a great value.
The flexible manufacturing process consists of a new type of body shop that is wholly made up of robotics instead of hardware dedicated to a particular model. The robots, which automatically can change their own tooling within a 42 second cycle time to accommodate two models, also can accommodate a third model (as demonstrated at Belvidere) and pilot a fourth.
The Belvidere facility will continue to implement "Smart manufacturing" processes, which foster greater creativity and innovation on the plant floor. Smart processes include work teams, self-designed workstations, a framework for flexible job classifications and extensive employee training. All these factors work cohesively to create a better work environment and give increased support to assembly line operators, intended to further improve plant flexibility and efficiency.
With the new flexible manufacturing and Smart manufacturing processes, the production gains are significant: Lower costs for next generation product changeovers; reduced capital investment for re-tooling; and reduced turnover time for new products with less investment and work required to prepare for a new product. The processes also are being implemented at Chrysler Group's Sterling Heights (Mich.) Assembly Plant and St. Louis South (Fenton, Mo.) Assembly Plant.
Earlier this year, the Belvidere facility added a second shift to meet customer demand for the Dodge Caliber and Jeep Compass. The 3.6 million square foot Belvidere Assembly Plant has 2,000 employees and is home to United Auto Workers Locals 1268 and 1761.