Looking to make as many vehicles as possible, FCA US is foregoing its two-week summer shutdown at a number of the automaker’s facilities.
The following list of FCA US properties to remain in operation this summer includes four assembly plants, all engine manufacturing locales, and one transmission factory, Detroit Free Press reports:
- Jefferson North Assembly Plant; Detroit
- Saltillo Van Assembly; Saltillo, Mexico
- Toledo Assembly Complex; Toledo
- Toluca Assembly; Toluca, Mexico
- Kokomo Casting; Kokomo, Indiana
- Kokomo Transmission; Kokomo, Indiana
- Dundee Engine Plant; Dundee
- Mack Avenue Engine; Detroit
- Saltillo Engine; Saltillo, Mexico
- Saltillo South Engine; Saltillo Mexico
- Trenton Engine Complex; Trenton
Three other transmission factories in Kokomo and Tipton, Ind. will shut down for one week instead of two, while FCA US’ stamping plants will operate on the same schedules as the assembly plants they serve.
The break from the traditional two-week shutdown — meant for equipment repairs and changes to the assembly line for the upcoming model year — comes as the automaker continues its streak of rising sales on a year-over-year basis, currently standing at 61 months. The overall U.S. industry is set to sell 17 million units this year, a peak not seen since prior to the start of the Great Recession.
[Photo credit: Chrysler/Facebook]
The 300 restyle is a winner, for that matter so is the 200 restyle. I can understand why demand is increasing.
I’m renting a car in a couple weeks, and while the Intermediate class at Avis said Cruze or similar, the next size up was Standard, which was Chrysler 200 or similar. The price difference was $6.
I couldn’t decide if the mpg penalty was worth it (I have several hundred miles to drive), and I was also worried that even though the photo was of a new 200, there could be an old Sebring 200 still kicking around in their fleet.
So I ultimately chose Cruze. I’ve been looking forward to driving one anyway, with all the hubbub I hear about them on here.
I highly doubt anyone’s got an old 200 left on its fleet, so if you still can, spring for the 200.
I’m afraid because they have some 2014’s listed on their sales site, which are not yet available for purchase – meaning they’re still in the fleet!
(Also, the Impala Limited class is only $11 more than the Cruze rental, but I don’t need somethin that thirsty.)
I checked with them, and they will not guarantee any particular make and model, because it’s luck of the draw.
I asked what else is in the Intermediate class though:
Cruze, Corolla, G6, Avenger
I’m way sure they aren’t still using any G6’s though, ha. Need to update their CS dept. info.
You can be assured that there are lots of the old 200 still in the fleet. It is not the norm to turn over the cars every 3-6 months, many companies keep their cars for up to two years now.
Avis claims “Rent safe. Avis maintains an average fleet life of 7 months on their vehicles.”
So that means I guess they replace the expensive stuff at 6 months and the cheap stuff at 12.
Agreed. The 300 has gotten better with age.
200 sales are much higher (still would be interested in the breakdown between fleet and retail though, but it is certainly much better than before) but 300 sales are actually down this year. 300 sales in April were ~20% lower than last year. In contrast Charger sales are up YTD, albeit only by about 2,000 units. You will notice the plant that makes the 300 is not on this list- that is for good reason.
I fear the 300 “restyle” is too subtle to have a dramatic effect on the 300’s demand.
A lot of the vehicles are actually in excess supply. Think it is a coincidence that contract negotiations start soon? Nothing like loading up on inventory to make a strike threat irrelevant.
All the high trim editions of most of their lineup looks great. I am tempted by the previous 300 SRT, or what is currently comparable to the 300 SRT. I just don’t know if I’m ready to make that leap. I regularly rent the Chargers and find them to be mostly pleasing and composed as a large family sedan.
Isn’t the 300 pictured above still made in Canada?
Just pointing out the incongruity versus the headline.
The red one will get there first but the black one actually has car insurance.
Seems like everywhere I look there’s some douchebag in a V6 Charger, with the seat leaned back, driving at least 15 over the speed limit and weaving in and out of traffic. It’s always a late-30s male about 5’8″ or 5’9″ who has the look and attitude of a middle-manager earning $65K from his online associates degree.
Is this a thing now?
Where can I earn $65K with an associates? I have a BA, so I can do better than that wherever this may be.
And at $65K you can do a lot better than V6 Charger. Yuck.
I second CoreyDL, I’d be happy to know where one can earn 65K with an online associates’ degree. Heck, I’d love to know where one can earn 65K with a BA…
Maybe not a BA, but a BS in engineering can get you into the middle 60s before you’re allowed to sit for the PE exam.
Construction Managers with Bachelor degrees usually make more than junior engineers – although career trajectories can diverge over the long term.
Well that’s lame, it’s too late for me to get a BS. I have a BA and lots of insurance designations.
TW5 said the “look” of a middle manager. And yes, there ARE middle managers with Associates degrees, but they’re usually related to somebody higher up in the company, and they’re making much less than $65,000.
More to TW5’s point – some of the drivers of V6 Chargers DO seem to be using them as penis extensions, but since it’s a four door sedan, I’ve seen mostly guys in their late 50s to mid 60s behind the wheel.
Middle managers earning less than 65K a yr? Where? At your local Best Buy?
No hard and fast rule about that. Most employers have grown wary of the recent college grads, preferring to keep long-time employees on as long as possible, as a good many folks under the age of 40 wouldn’t know a hard day’s work if it bit them in the hindquarters.
What… You haven’t heard? You can work from home and earn up to $7,500 a month! Lol.
You can actually earn more. We have engineers who make 3 digit salaries and work from home in Texas, Minnesota, NY and etc. Company itself is in Silicon Valley and I never seen some of them in person though work and talk with them every day over internet. Imagine HW engineer who works from home in Texas on boards physically located in CA and not been in CA in years and nevertheless we successfully solve problems and develop product.
“Where can I earn $65K with an associates? I have a BA, so I can do better than that wherever this may be.”
Get a trade? Be really good at what you do and managing people?
“Get a trade? Be really good at what you do”
That’s the ticket. Its getting harder and harder to find competent skilled tradesman these days and if you are very good at what you do you get compensated very well.
@ CoreyDL
Well, I’m assuming he’s earning another $18K in untaxed health benefits for his wife and 2-3 kids. He probably gets 401K matching, too, but he’s obviously not saving anything. Wife probably makes $35K working for an insurance agent.
Pre-owned 2011 V6 Charger seems right up his alley.
“Sniff… 8 inches or less…”
This kind of behavior is typical for full size truck drivers. When I see one in the rear mirror I just let them pass me and leave me alone. I consider full size truck as a race car. Just cannot compete with them.
Wait… I thought I’d read several posts on other threads that castigated FCA as a losing proposition? Success breeds contempt… or just envy?
As was pointed out, Brampton (300, Charger, Challenger) will be shut down, and FCA’s two biggest assembly plants, Windsor and Belvidere, are also shut, with Windsor being refitted for flex lines and the new vans. The Belvidere plant assembles the Dart and two Jeeps that will be discontinued, the Compass and Patriot. That’s a big plant for just one product, and FCA’s problem is a lack of new models, or the money to develop them. They’re getting the most out of paid-for tooling in four assembly plants to keep the cash flow going, not because they’re swamped.
I guess you didn’t read that last paragraph?
“The break from the traditional two-week shutdown — meant for equipment repairs and changes to the assembly line for the upcoming model year — comes as the automaker continues its streak of rising sales on a year-over-year basis, currently standing at 61 months. The overall U.S. industry is set to sell 17 million units this year, a peak not seen since prior to the start of the Great Recession.”
Yes, I did read that last paragraph. FCA’s big sales are in Jeeps and Ram trucks, and keeping plants open is a short term cash flow move, putting off required maintenance that can have long term consequences for the plants involved.
Why do you think Sergio is looking for a merger? He doesn’t have the money for new product, since those hot sales have cash on the hood that reduces net profits. Last year’s $3.5 billion pre-tax profit is barely enough to pay for the massive revamping of the Windsor plant, and FCA will be back to old Chrysler’s situation of needing a successful reveal of each new product, like its new vans, or it’s in big trouble.
The huge sales of existing models looks good, but not at the cost of major discounts that rob the company of capital to bring new models to market. Skipping plant maintenance is borrowing from the future, since it will be much more expensive to make it up later. Those are the things analysts look at to gauge the health of a company, and they’re unlikely to see chasing discounted sales using deferred plant maintenance as good for the company’s future.
Your narrative indicates you don’t understand the fundamental financials of this company. Probably best to stop talking out of your hat.
Heh.
Can the article be updated to mention which vehicles are assembled in which assembly plant? (It’s obvious what they make in Toledo, but the rest is a bit of a mystery.)
Jefferson North Assembly Plant; Detroit – Grand Cherokee, Durango
Saltillo Van Assembly; Saltillo, Mexico – Ram 1500 Regular Cab, Ram 2500-5500
Toledo Assembly Complex; Toledo – Wrangler, Cherokee
Toluca Assembly; Toluca, Mexico – Journey, Fiat 500
All these others are engine and component plants, although full-size ProMasters are built in Saltillo as well.
Kokomo Casting; Kokomo, Indiana
Kokomo Transmission; Kokomo, Indiana
Dundee Engine Plant; Dundee
Mack Avenue Engine; Detroit
Saltillo Engine; Saltillo, Mexico
Saltillo South Engine; Saltillo Mexico
Trenton Engine Complex; Trenton
So really the demand is for trucks and SUVs and not 300s, or am I not seeing the whole picture here. So is the Fiat 500 selling that well?
The 500 continues to sell well outside the US, where roads are narrow and parking is a perpetual problem.
Even here in the US the 500 sells decently to the urban/not-quite-suburban demographic.