Chrysler Group Launches Production of the All-new 2007 Jeep® Compass at Belvidere Assembly Plant


Robotics, lean dies and material flow improve quality, productivity and worker ergonomics
2007 Jeep Compass appeals to new buyers with competitive pricing


Auburn Hills, Mich., May 30, 2006 -

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The Chrysler Group today announced the manufacturing launch of the all-new Jeep Compass at its Belvidere (Ill.) Assembly Plant. The plant, which was extensively retooled in 2005, has become a flagship for Chrysler Group's adoption of flexible manufacturing.

Flexible manufacturing is allowing the Company to bring its new vehicles to market more quickly and the Belvidere Assembly Plant to manufacture multiple products on one assembly line. Production of the all-new 2007 Dodge Caliber began there in January 2006, while the 2007 Jeep Patriot is scheduled to begin later this fall.

"We are now starting to see the results of the new flexible manufacturing process that we believe is a competitive advantage for the Chrysler Group," said Frank Ewasyshyn, Executive Vice President - Manufacturing. "Thanks to Belvidere's ability to build multiple models off one assembly line, we expect the Jeep Compass production to cost significantly less than the initial investment we made in the plant to build the Dodge Caliber."

Read the entire press release and discuss it HERE (http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=71)